Sixth form back up places

[Esmi]

Hi All,
We have several back up places for my child depending on the rather difficult to predict GCSE results. (The grades have gone from too low, to pass for the school's sixth form, to pass in mocks) Does anyone know if the Sixth forms accept that places may not be taken up and that they may be second choice? Is it usual to tell them they are second choice? We have induction days and extra support sessions (dyslexia) to attend which may not be necessary. It feels a bit uncomfortable having these options and not saying that they are backups, but they are so necessary, especially with the extra help that may be needed, until we know how well the GCSE's go and whether we stay at the current school or not. Thanks for any help or information.

Round here, at least, yes, they do acknowledge that applicants may well hold more than one offer. We have four grammar schools in the immediate area and even DS2, who is at one of them and is predicted nothing below a 7 and only two of those, has the local college as a back-up in case something goes very wrong in the real thing. You / your DS should make sure to contact the 'surplus' institutions as early as possible on results day, though, as they may have a reserve list or 'walk ins' to whom they can offer the place.

Unless the sixth form specifically asks you to indicate whether they are first choice or a back-up choice there is no need to tell them. When dd applied 2 years ago only one sixth form asked for this (she had 3 offers).
The sixth forms are usually fairly accepting that not all places offered will be taken up on results day.
Do go to the induction days as these will give a good idea of what the teaching and support will be like at the different sixth forms. There will also be information given out then about what happens on results day and enrollment days post results.
What happened with dd was that she enrolled at preferred sixth form the day after results with her results slips to show she had obtained the grades needed. Once this was done she declined the other 2 offers.

Thanks both of you for the advice and taking the time to reply. It makes me feel much better and you have both made useful suggestions too. I had wondered if we were wasting time going to the open days, so good to hear it is worth it. Similar situation, some 7 predicted, but who knows what will actually come through.
Your help is much appreciated. Esmi

Both my DD had two places for Sixth Form, and could have had 3 if they'd considered staying at their school. Apart from the most competitive Sixth Forms (Peter Simmonds), they usually fill up with late candidates too.

No, because it is managed completely differently from applying for a Yr7 place (managed by the LA), then you can apply to, and hold as many as you like, and the 6th forms don't know how many others you are holding.

They are aware, of course that many students will be waiting until they see their grades before deciding or having it decided for them.
My dd (and others we know) had opinions changed after the Induction days too.