Primary school waiting lists/turnover

[RoundandBackAgain]

Hi,

We recently moved to Cambridge and just heard we are first on the waiting list for a reception place for DD at our preferred school (hooray!). The school has 3 form entry so I'm hoping there's a really good chance of getting a place before the end of the academic year given the amount of movement I've heard there is in Cambridge. Neither the school nor the council can give me any useful guidance on this. Does anyone have any idea how much turnover there typically is in a reception year of that size in Cambridge? I'm not working so its not the end of the world if she ends up at home with me for a few months, although I might go slightly crazy looking after her and her brother all day every day in a new city!

Thanks!

There does tend to be quite a lot of movement, particularly in schools with a high number of children of academic parents. Be aware that it is possible to be bumped down a list if someone moves closer to the school than you. However, if DD is currently top of the list then you probably have a very good chance.

In the short term, Cambridge has plenty of groups and classes for young children, as well as sports facilities, museums and lots of parks and playgrounds. You shouldn't have any trouble entertaining them.

Presume it's St Matthews? (Not aware of any other 3 form entries is Cambridge) My DC went there and I think there were two or three left in each of their classes during reception (though mostly in the first term I think)

As pointed out above though you can indeed move down the list if others move into catchment, so I'd keep an eye on things or put her down for another school or two too.

There are plenty toddler groups, etc in Cambridge, though depends how your DD is at mixing mainly with kids a bit younger. There is an active Home Ed group I think which might provide some contact with older kids for her.

Could you start her somewhere else in the meantime? I would because there are never any guarantees although there is a certain transient element to Cambridge because a lot of the academics can be on fixed term contracts so that means a lot of people naturally move on. Welcome to our beautiful city by the way, I love it!