How full is your private school?

[imperativeviv]

Just that really. Our prep always makes out to new parents that you won't be able to get a place if you don't sign up immediately when it's never actually been full. I'm wondering if secondary are the same.

I am concerned about the added 20% vat on school fees as that will push us into the bracket of really not being being able to afford fees with more than 1 dc, so I'm wondering if to aim for my dc to go to the local grammar and then worst case make the big sacrifices sell a kidney to switch back to independent if it doesn't work out. I'm hoping it's a similar story amongst secondary schools that this will be easily possible for us and places will be available as I'm getting the same 'pressure' talk when I speak to admissions at some of the secondary schools but no real way of telling what the reality is.

Op in my area there’s only one school that is consistently over subscribed. Dd2s school told us they were pleased to have reached capacity but last week dd2 said a new girl had started in her class so I guess they weren’t full after all.

Obviously if you’re in one of the more competitive areas in London the situation might be different.

It’s hard to know how full they are though, the comments of number of people sitting for each place don’t take into account how many schools each child sat for.
My son was #36 on the waiting list for his, but got in, for example, because other children went elsewhere. People round here tend to sit the assessments for 1-4 schools I would say, for secondary. Most for three.

that is true @Cheeesus at our prep the usual application for secondary is for around 3+ schools. Our prep doesn't usually have many go on to the grammar schools, however this year I know I am not alone in considering the grammar school then potentially move back to private due to the threat of the 20% vat. I know a few of the schools are taking vat situation seriously even if some don't believe it will happen.

Full despite increasing class sizes. 10 applicants for every place this year at preschool and it was around 20 for Reception. It’s because the quality of some local state secondaries has gone downhill.

Ours is full as far as I’m aware (certainly in the years my children are in). Other local private schools have space (tend to be the less selective schools).