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Original poster

Application for 11+ school

10 replies

RnB · 30/09/2013 14:23

I'm applying for 2 or 3 schools for my ds to enter. Am just filling in the registration form for one and it asks where else we've applied to and which is our first preference. Not sure what to write as I don't want to potentially jeopardise any of the placements if they think we don't really care about said school...

OP posts:
Original poster
RnB · 30/09/2013 14:24

Sorry I'm not well, that was as clear as mud

OP posts:
Theas18 · 30/09/2013 14:35

Hang on, is this state or fee paying?

IIRC state schools don't know what you have put as other schools. If it's an 11+ using state school places are allocated purely on performance in the 11+ aren't they?

Also if this is your state school application use all the choices don't just apply to 2 or 3 ( apologies if it isn't state and I've got the wrong end of the stick)

Original poster
RnB · 30/09/2013 14:38

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I'm applying to fee paying schools. I'm wondering if they all communicate with each other...

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RedWineAndCheese · 30/09/2013 14:44

Yes, they can find out easily, so I really wouldn't fib as you'd just look silly if they did.

Especially important if the schools are both (say) GSA schools or HMC schools nearby to one another. The admissions and heads all know each other.

Original poster
RnB · 30/09/2013 15:02

Thanks. That's what I suspected. Tbh I like all the schools equally so I'm really not sure what to put!

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Ladymuck · 30/09/2013 16:21

It is usual to try and fill in the applications in your preferred order. So on the 1st application you can, in all honesty, put no other school (as you haven't yet applied). On your 2nd application you have to name the first one. On the third you have to name the other two.

If this is your first time of applying, then don't worry. In general schools are trying to find out how many multiple applications are happening so that they can take account of that when they make offers (eg if they have 100 spaces do they need to make 200 or 300 offers in order to fill those spaces?). You will have far more contact with the schools in between sitting the exams and getting an offer, and ime most decisions are made in this timeframe, when the schools do their best to sell themselves to their best candidates.

There are a few schools who do care very much about whether they are your first choice or not. These forms tend to ask how many open days/sports courses/music courses you will have been to at that school. Others ask about siblings and where your son fits into the family (so it becomes obvious is you are trying out their school as a back-up to the one all of your other sons go to).

Original poster
RnB · 01/10/2013 06:05

Thank you Ladymuck. Very useful

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horsemadmom · 01/10/2013 08:48

We found that DD2 didn't get offers from some of her 'insurance' schools because they (correctly) noted our preference.No point wasting an offer. There is usually a space on the form that asks what you like about the school- this is your opportunity to fudge and say how DS would make use of a particular facility or school specialty.

Original poster
RnB · 01/10/2013 09:55

This is slightly concerning as we're only applying to 2. I is my first choice, I is my sons.

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Ladymuck · 01/10/2013 12:41

I wouldn't fret then, especially if there are only 2 (I now plenty of children in London who will sit 5 or more!). As horsemadmom refers to dd2 I suspect that schools will pick up on the fact that there are older siblings elsewhere. (If not directly on the admissions form, then it is a common interview question, along with "how will you travel to this school in Year 7", which also weeds out spurious multiple entries!)

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