Waiting list for year R

[Bobbie22]

Back in April we got our 2nd choice school for our DS.

Both schools (1st and 2nd choice) are great ofsted wise and pros and cons to both. Our first choice is walking distance, more modern and we clicked with the ethos more hence making it first.

I called today and we've moved from 6th to 3rd in the waiting list. Next week we start intro sessions for the 2nd choice school and now I'm conflicted.

Should I send my son to the sessions to help him adjust to the 2nd choice school and begin to make friends or should I hold on to the hope that we might get into the 1st school?

I would go to settings in days - otherwise will have missed them completely - lists can move up and down too… if someone moves closer you can move down

Don't be fooled by a modern school. We fell into that trap, worst decision made. Moved into our 2nd choice older school and it's been amazing.

You'd still have to have 2 children not going to get the place. How likely is it people will move now so close to school holidays?

Neither of mine had seting in sessions... we moved over the summer holidays so did late applications. Baring in mind they happen 2 months before they actually start school, I do wonder if they actually remember that much...

You might get a place at school 1. You might not. No one knows... People do move like we did. But someone can move closer to the school as well.

Absolutely do the settling in sessions. My son moved from 6th to 1st on the waiting list for school 1 from April to July...we were offered a place in November after he'd been at school 2 for 3 months!

We didn't move him. He was settled, had friends and the school we are at, whilst less shiny than our original choice, is wonderful and actually perfect for him now he's there.

You will need to give school 2 a go. You could be waiting a long time for a place at school 1, then you can decide if it's the right thing for you to move him at that stage.