Primary school admissions - feeling nervous about the day of truth...

[LocalEditorBromley]

I was just wondering how the community was feeling about their primary school admissions applications now that the day of truth is nearly here?? I have to confess that I have mentally reordered my schools at least one hundred times since the council's confirmation of choices letter dropped onto my doormat. I placed which one first?? Aargh.
Living in a part of Bromley that struggles with extreme pressure for primary schools places, I shouldn't really expect to get my first choice. Or second. Or even third for that matter. But there is a part of me that dares to dream.. so I'll keep you posted.
As part of my role as Editor I've been looking at the admissions appeal process recently. And although there are plenty of appeal support providers who claim a strong record in helping parents win places at their preferred schools, it seems that the percentage of those who win these cases is actually very low. Do any of you have experience of being involved in an appeal case, or even winning one?
So, how are you feeling about things? And in the event that you don't get the place you hope for, what would be your next move...I'm interested to hear.

Well we got our first choice so I'm happy. :) It was a sibling application though so would have been very unlucky not to get in - although one can never assume these days so was a relief to see it in black and white! Hope you got good news too.

Congratulations truffalatree! That must be a relief. I'd always said that I wouldn't allow myself to get involved in the primary school panic but lo and behold, I did! We were offered our fifth choice which is some distance away, but luckily had also made a direct application to a more local new school, which we received an offer from. I have already started to deconstruct the process with my fellow mums in the area but generally am feeling quite fortunate that we managed to snag anything half decent at all. I'm told (unconfirmed at this stage) that there are nearly 100 children in the borough who are unplaced, so there are still some parents going through the mill.

Thanks. Glad to hear things worked out ok for you too. Local is good - and all shiny and new too! Is it a Harris? I think its quite difficult not to get caught up in the whole hysteria which surrounds reception applications in London, particularly when its the pfb. I wouldn't feel bad about getting sucked in! The shortage of places really doesn't help matters. Fingers crossed those without places get sorted soon whether via the natural movement of places or bulge classes. I guess its still early days. We were offered our 6th choice for DC1 so can sympathise with not getting your preferred choices, but have thankfully never been in the position of having no school at all. It must be incredibly stressful to be in that position.

We got our far away 5th choice through Bromley. Luckily the Harris Primary has been approved and we have a place there. We were really impressed with them and there is already a parents' Facebook page with lots of good chat going on!

Looking forward to Sept.

Here's a link to Bromley Council's stats on the number of applicants getting their preferences in the primary admissions process this year. Makes for interesting reading: www.bromley.gov.uk/press/article/968/record_number_of_bromley_pupils_get_their_preferred_primary_school_place