Primary Waiting Lists

[Lily15]

My son is year 3 and we need to get him a school place once we move to Brighton. I dont have any experience of waiting lists so perhaps someone can enlighten me?

For example if a school we apply for already has 2 on the waiting list for this year group is it just a case of moving up the waiting ladder so to speak? If my son was 3 rd on the list but we lived closer to the school than the other two applicants would our application be given priority or is it just first come first served?

Thanks x

Hi,
Yes you're right, you can go up or down waiting lists. If you moved closer to the school than the 2 people already on the waiting list then you would be ahead of them, but if a sibling, or someone else higher up the criteria arrived they would go above you.
We moved to Brighton this year. The council is really helpful and happy to tell you home to school distances for houses you're thinking of renting and how big the waiting lists are.

Hiya,

We moved to Brighton in the summer and sorting a primary place for ds ended up being a bit of a nightmare - some of it down to conflicting information from the Schools Admissions Team.

When abouts are you planning to move/put your application in?

My advice is if you are looking to move in the new year, get your application in before the school's close for the Xmas break. That way the team will be able to give you an idea of the spaces/waiting list positions for your preferences and if you aren't able to get a place at one of those, they will tell you which schools do have places for Jan. It also means you can view the schools (albeit busy before the end of term) before they close for the holidays.

They did advise me that there is some movement during the school year so if you are on a waiting list you could at some point be offered a place at that school. As karenjm says, it does depend on where you are in proximity to the school as to where you are on the waiting list.

Good luck xxx

The Family Information Service has a School Preference Adviser who can assist parents / carers who need extra help when applying for a primary or secondary school place for their child. The service is free and impartial and separate from the school admissions service. The adviser cannot make decisions for you, or guarantee a place at any particular school, but they will offer you support and advice to help you make an informed choice.

The School Preference Adviser can offer: help in understanding the school admissions system, help in completing the application form and advice if you want to appeal.

To speak to the School Preference Adviser contact the Family Information Service on 01273 293545 or email [email protected]