Applying to Primary Schools Winchester

[ljfp]

Hello
I know i still have lots of time to think about this BUT......!!
We will be applying in January 2012 for primary school in Winchester - am wondering if the order you list your choices really makes a difference to the one that you get?! We are in catchment for St Bedes which I know is v good but i'm not keen on size of it for my relatively shy little girl! Would much prefer one of the smaller local village schools..... So, if I only put St B as no. 3 on the list would that then cross us of their list or would we still be considered IYKWIM?
Thanks for your help!!

Hi im down the road from you and im currently going through the same process with hampshire county council.

I have put my first choice school thats out of catchment, my catchment school is 3rd choice. all three choices are considered and there is a possibility that you could be accepted for all three. although its rare.

you can look on hampshire county council website and the full admissions policy is on there

HTH

great - thanks for your help!

No need to check local policies. This is decided nationally.

Whether you make a school your first choice or your last choice makes absolutely no difference to your chances of getting into that school. Contrary to what many people seem to believe (including, sadly, many head teachers) making a school your first choice does not give you any priority for that school.

St Bedes are not allowed to know whether you make them your first choice or your last choice. The LA will know, obviously, but they will not pass this information on to St Bedes.

The only effect of the order of your preferences is that you will only be offered a place at the highest preference with a place available. So if the admissions process comes up with places at your first and third choices you will only be offered your first choice.