Independent secondary schools waiting lists 2019

[Geogra]

Does anyone have any information on how soon waiting lists places are offered?

We are on a waiting list for a London girls school and I know that some offer holders have already informed the school that they will not be taking up their places.

I wonder if the secondary schools wait until after half term, assess how many waiting lists places they can offer, then send out the bulk of those offers? Or do they work piecemeal and make a waiting list offer as soon as a space is released by an offer holder?

Has anyone received a waiting list offer yet for any of the London girl's schools? Ie: JAG's, Putney High, Wimbledon High. It would be interesting to know as there are girls at our school who have already released offers for all of the above.

It will be after half-term now Geogra, as all schools are now closed. We’ll be releasing SPGS, PHS and FHSS then. Most people will be holding several offers, so yes there will be movement. Then when the state offers come out in March, there will be more.

Thank you Que0. It sounds like your daughter has done brilliantly - congratulations!

I know that 3 families already released their offers for the school we want (over a week ago now) and I can't help wondering whether those places were already offered to girls higher up the waiting list than us, or whether the school won't have offered them out yet. I think the former makes more sense

You have to remember that most schools over offer so there is no place to be offered when someone declines, in many cases.

All schools over offer, so they will not go to their waiting list until after their acceptance deadline, otherwise they would end up with too many accepting. The only exception to this would be the 2 London schools that are involved in the ‘exploding’ offer system.

The majority of schools will wait until the day after their acceptance deadline, which most will have coordinated with the release of state offers, then things will move very quickly and significantly on the waiting lists.

Yes most school do over- offer too, but it varies between schools. Many will still go to the wl. Which one are you hoping for Geogra? I’ve been through this process 4 times and I know it’s brutal!

Of course, I had forgotten to take that into consideration. In that case I think we will definitely not be hearing until after half term. I better find something to keep us busy, the waiting is awful!

All schools over-offer, because they know candidates are sitting for several schools (that's why they ask which others on the forms - all the registrars know each other and they share info so they can work out how many actual DC are behind the number of applications, thou if course it's also trend and guesswork)

So they expect some offers to be turned down, and t's only when a lot have been relinquished - so they know they'll be below capacity - that they will start going to the WL.

It's really very variable between schools and between years. Some are distinctly better at managing their numbers than others.

Sorry if that's a bit of a pessimistic non-answer and I hope an offer you like arrives for DC.

If you can, have someone from your school intercede, find out how the lists are this year and continue to sell your DC as a desirable pupil (and you as someone who will accept with cheque by return if an offer is made)

We are waiting for Putney High and have several friends waiting for JAG's, Wimbledon High and Lady Eleanor Holles.

I was under the impression that waiting lists will start to move after half term because by then all independent offers will have been sent. Not all applicants are waiting for a state place where we are - in fact only about 20% I would say.

National Offer Day for secondaries is 1 March. There may be movement after that too.

We have been told the Putney waiting list is going to move because offers they were very conservative with offers.

The Wimbledon and JAG's waiting lists are apparently extremely long (they must be if all 2nd phase assessment girls are placed on it?)

The LEH waiting list is apparently a short one because hardly anyone turns down a place!

Que did you have any waiting list offers and how late did they come in?

If it’s PHS, I can personally think of at least 4 people that will release the place the week after half-term. It’s a fab school, but some people just live nearer to other schools.
I did have one DD on a waiting list once and I think that school offered in mid-March, but we’d already paid the deposit for another school by then.

Tiffin Girls offer on March 1st I think and this may have an impact.

Did you find out what sort of position you’re in on the PHS list or would they not say? Definitely agree with getting your head on the phones to them ASAP next term and make it 100% clear that you’ll pay the deposit instantly if offered.

Unfortunately they won’t give out any information on where we are on the waiting list and wouldn’t tell our head teacher either. One parent advised me to call every day (registrars are in over half term) but I cant imagine that being helpful. I have put in writing to Putney that we would accept straight away if they offered

I think you’ve done all you can then for now. Maybe give them a ring mid-week and then get your head to call once school resumes. I think they have about 60 places there (excluding the prep)? Don’t forget some of the prep will be confirming if they’re going elsewhere too. Maybe they offer 80-90 places to fill 60? It’s hard to say, but they’ll have some method based on previous years’ uptakes. Also, there will be nothing in it between girls on the wl and girls offered places. It’s all a lottery really. I know a girl who got in on the wl and went in to be head girl - so hang on in there!

Thanks, that’s encouraging because I don’t want DD to feeel she scraped in if she is offered

Does lobbying the registrars work? Won’t they offer to the wait list candidates who performed best in the exam?

Interesting thread. DS is on the waiting list for 2 indie schools in North London, one of which is definitely considered a back-up school. We were really surprised that he didn't get a place although he is quite naughty so probably didn't get a glowing school reference. The school claimed it had an unprecedented number of applications, had placed DS on a waiting list and hoped to be in touch very soon (their words). The other school is more sought after and we were told that they can't offer DS a place now but have placed him on a waiting list with a small number of other candidates. Is there any hope or should we just assume he will not get places at either? Just want to manage his expectations.

Also, what should I say to both schools to give DS the best chance of getting a place? That we really want the place, please let us know asap? Or should I get on the phone and start begging??

I have released PH and there will be at least one more girl from our school releasing it, so chances are growing:)
Que0, why have you released SPGS if I may ask? we are closing between it and G&L and I have no idea how to chose. any opinion will be gratefully digested:)

'Won’t they offer to the wait list candidates who performed best in the exam?'

Not necessarily. Some schools are very much all about the pass marks at every stage. Others will include other factors alongside. And it's common that veryone who makes it tomthe waitinglist to be seen as suitable, so it can be worthwhile letting a school,know how very keen you are, and that you will accept immediately (remember they want their numbers settled).

There is however a balance to be drawn so you are the lovely ultra-suitable family who the registrar really wants to help, and being the utter PITAs whonare never off the phone. That's why having the school,intercede and do a bit of digging around first can help you make your pitch more effective

stripey - we’ll be releasing SPGS because DD wants to go to G&L - simple as that! The GCSE results seem pretty similar these days. I did read on an SPGS maths leaflet that something like 90% of girls there do maths A-level, which is great in one sense, but what if maths isn’t your particular passion? Would you feel weird doing a range of humanities subjects? DD will be more English / languages / humanities leaning, I suspect. Plus G&L have the option to do IBacc or A-level. And they do stuff such as cookery. DD just said it felt friendlier and warmer. I’m told by friends and neighbours that have DDs at both that there’s much less homework at G&L. Yes SPGS may send more to Oxbridge, but, having had 3 others go through LU and another secondary, I’m all for balance and good mental health. Not everyone wants to go to Oxbridge anyway, it depends on the course. I suspect DD will be happier and do better in the middle of the academic cohort, than always feeling up against the competition, if that makes sense? The ride is as important as the destination. But tbh, a bright girl will do well in either - or Putney, for that matter. It’s personal preference and the differences between all these schools are wafer thin.

Hi everyone. My DD has been waitlisted at SPGS and it’s agonising! Wondering when the list may start to move. We have a couple of offers from other great schools but this is DD’s favourite and would suit her well.

I think there will be some moment when CLSG send out their offers and then after the state offers.

Que0, thank you, my dilemma precisely. DD is better in English despite it being her second Language and she is a nice girl so not sure that i would want to make her uber-competitive..

Hi everyone, we are still waiting for movement on the WL’s. Has anyone had good news this week? I think things might only happen on Monday