can i ask to go and lool round our allocated school again?

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More school allocation stuff...

We were allocated our second choice school. It is Ofsted outstanding but is less well thought of round here than the school we put as 1st choice, I guess because going back a few years it did not have a good reputation and it is in the less 'desirable' end of town (ie next to a council estate, lots of 2nd language english kids).

When I went to look round I must admit it was fantastic- it has had a new head and lots of extra funding. The facilities are brilliant. But it's a 20 minute walk through the wrong end of town.

Our 1st choice school is literally at the end of our road. My next door neighbour's DS got in, but my DD didn't. It is also outstanding and vv oversubscribed- we live 200 metres away!

I need to decide whether or not to stay on the continuing interest list. I kind of feel like it's done now, I don't want to be hanging around waiting. Dd knows which school she is going to and is happy, lots of her friends are also going there.

From what I understand, if you stay on the continuing interest list then if a place comes up you don't get given the choice, you just get re-allocated. I'm not sure I want DD to suddenly get pulled out of her school at a moment's notice.

I really feel like I want to go and see the school again, just to make sure we are happy with that decision. Would it be seen as weird/unusual to call the school and ask to have another look round?

I think any Head worth their salt would not mind at all. Ring school up and make appt to chat to the Head armed with any questions/ worries etc.

If a place comes up on the waiting list you wouldn't just be reallocated, they would ask you if you wanted the place and then give you a (short) time frame to make a decision, they don't take it out of your hands so I wouldn't be worrying about that in your decision on weather to stay on the wait list.

As for having another look round the allocated school then that is perfectly reasonable, just give the school a call, explain and ask for an appointment.

roadkillbunny, that's what I thought but on the admissions website it says:

Opting out of continuing interest
If you do not wish to remain on continuing interest lists you MUST let us know immediately. This is because if a place becomes available and your child is the highest on the continuing interest list, the place will be automatically allocated and your original school allocation will be withdrawn.

IMPORTANT: If you are happy with the school that has been allocated and no longer wish to pursue a place at your original higher preferences you MUST let the Admissions and Transport team know straight away, otherwise you risk losing the original school place

I'm not sure what kind of time frame the continuing interest thing happens in. I'm not even sure if I still WANT a place at the first choice school, as since talking to other mums I have heard such good things about the 2nd choice school. I also genuinely really liked it - very modern and forward thinking compared to the 1st school which is much more traditional. But then several other people have said to me 'ooh you must be borderline, if you stay on the list you'll probably get a place'

If it wasn't for the fact we were so borderline I probably wouldn't consider it - but I imagine we would be pretty high on the list at the 1st choice school IF we still want a place. And it is just so close - we could roll out of bed and be there in 5, we walk past it every day!

I just really feel like I just want to see the 2nd choice school again just to be sure. (in fact both schools but I know for a fact the first choice school does not let people look round apart from on open days)

I might give them a ring and use the excuse that DH has never seen the school (he didn't come on the open day) so could we come along.

If you can see if you can see around both schools again as now you know it will be one of those two. It would help you to have it clear in your mind how much you prefer 1 over 2. If your neighbour got in there is a good chance that you will be offered a place at some point in the future.