How long does it take to hear back?

[spaghettihoops16]

I called 2 independent schools on Monday morning and had good chats about enrolling our kids.

Both said they'd be in touch with the next steps. Sent a polite reminder email last night as we haven't heard anything as promised. I'm getting inpatient as want to get the ball rolling. We're overseas and it's a huge upheaval getting back. Schools are the forefront of all our decision making and I need to get everything in line from there. Trying to book an online tour and chats with headmasters. Even if it's next week, that's fine, I just need to feel as if we're moving forward and we can finalize our plans and hopefully be offered places.

What's a reasonable amount of time to wait to hear back? After speaking to them, I believed it was all systems go...?

DH thinks I should just calm down

You spoken to them on Monday, and chased on Tuesday? I'd say calm down. The school might be your priority, but I'm fairly sure - this year more than ever - you will be on someones "needs dealing with" list, but not necessarily high priority.

Neither school has responded- again suggesting a next day response isnt realistic.

I get it - we've moved internationally twice. But seriously, sit on your hands. Schools are very busy right now, with already enrolled kids going back next week in many cases.

Currently schools are on holiday in the U.K. so only skeleton staff will be in each day. I know at the start of the summer DD's school's admissions officer was showing parents round while school was empty. She is now having a week off, many of them will be back next Tuesday ready for start of term.

You do realise that getting their current students back (that have been off since March) at this time will be their priority!! 🙄

Agree with your DH.
Independent schools often start back later than state schools by the way so wouldn't expect to hear back until next week at the earliest.

OP - most independent schools in England have not gone back. I work in one in London and I’m going back next Wednesday. The Head will be in one day earlier. At the moment you are probably dealing with the admissions person. I assume you want entry for next September? Or are you applying for a place midway through the year? If it’s the former, you don’t need to worry about anything; I assume you will have been contacted by the end of next week by the Head’s PA. Your child might need to take entrance tests - perhaps you could look at the school website and see what these might involve. You might want to prepare your child a little with timing and so on.
Good luck with getting places.

Thank you 🙏

I've heard back from one, will wait patiently for the other. Really not happy with our current school so would move ASAP. I've calmed down since my initial post and enjoying some property porn in the meantime