Definition of 'Allocation of Places' please??

[CrispyTheCrisp]

We have been given our first choice school which is great, apart from the fact that we have changed our preference since originally applying as circumstances have changed.

The school we would like to change to was our 2nd preference and we are within catchment.

Originally there were 18 pupils who had it as one of there prefences (of which DD1 was one) for 20 places. On speaking to the school today they (or rather the LEA Admissions people) have apparently 'allocated' 15 places.

Does anyone know if this 15 includes the spaces given to children who received none of their preferences and were given a space at their nearest school with spaces?

If so, then i think we are very likely to get our transfer. If not, then it is a bit more up in the air. I guess i would just like to have a bit more certainty whilst waiting another month.

TIA

Hmm. I think you'll only get a definitive answer from the LEA (which I assume is the admissions authority here). Our LEA officials tend to use the word 'allocated' to mean 'given a school place to a child who did not name it as one of their preferences' but that seems improbable here, as it would suggest only 5 of the 18 original applicants have places at the school and 15 have been admitted under the nearest school with places process. Is the school really so under-subscribed?

Thanks Panelmember, i think i will end up phoning the LEA.

It was the school that used the term 'allocated' and said they had allocated 15 places. To me this suggests they are talking about the 15 (of the 18) but it is whether it includes or excludes the places allocated as part of the 'nearest school' process.

The 15 are definitely not all 'nearest school' allocations

Thanks Cat. good to see others read it as i do. I will check with the LEA directly but good to know it seems like we have a good chance of being successful