Lose state options if accept private school offer?

[sara75]

Hello, we were offered our fourth option for secondary school on offer day, on which I have many doubts. I am planning to put my daughter on the waiting list for our first and second choice and keep trying to get in up to September. I was also planning to put down the deposit for an independent school that offered us a scholarship in the meantime, to make sure I have an option if worst come to worst. I was told that, if I do so, I will loose the opportunity to remain on state waiting list. Is that the case? Thank you very much for your advice.

Of course not. They have no way of knowing if you have taken a private place do they.

I really don’t think so! Lots of people do this! In fact, there was a girl in my dd’s private school that left after one week of year 7 because a place at a desirable state school had come up.

Where I live children tend to get offered a place in a school in September after the children (who've actually taken a place at a private school) don't turn up because their state school places never got declined.

Who told you that? Someone who envies the fact you have choices, no doubt.
It's a nonsense- the local authority have no knowledge of which children have been accepted by independent schools, other than those that have told them directly because they're not applying for maintained secondary schools at all.

Thanks, I also thought the same. How can they tell if I paid a deposit? What a relief, it’s such a stressful time as it is. Thanks so much for answering so quickly.

Just be aware you may have a pay a full terms fees in lieu (not just lose the deposit) if you reject the private school without giving a full terms notice.

Didn’t realise that, thanks for letting me know. That would mean letting them know by the Easter break though. Nothing is likely to move waiting list wise in the meantime though.... God. It’s so complicated.

Yes. My dd had a change of heart and was offered 50% bursary at a school specialising in her particular talent and we had to pay.

So check the small print.