Where are you at with continued interest lists?

[newmummy16]

Just wondering how's peoples journey went on the continued interest lists.
Did you get in to your choices and when?
How much movement really exists?

Completely anecdotal..

DC1 sat on a continuing interest list for six months from November to end of April for Y1. There were three others on the list - when we moved into the area we ended up right at the top because we are in a house right near the school.

This is a fairly oversubscribed school - 300 applicants for 30 places in reception, most years under 500m (as low as 300m) and nearest school only. Nobody had left since reception. Then two places became available end of April and she started along with another little girl then, and another place has become available just a few weeks ago too.

So in our case it seems nothing happened for ages then a lot happened at once! I don't think there was necessarily anything to precipitate the children leaving (one emigrated, one into private for unrelated reasons, no idea on the third) it just happened.

Thanks CrisbySB
I'm no.1,no.2,no.6 and no.2 on my lists and just praying for the phone to ring as I didn't get any of my choices on allocation day "sigh"

I had a letter with mine. But I did know already, as DD had been playing with the children in the street who all went to the local school, and as it was only a one form entry it becomes big news if somebody leaves. So it was just a case of waiting for the letter and hoping nobody had leapfrogged us since I'd last had our position confirmed a month or so earlier!

Good luck - I do know exactly how stressful it is. We moved to the area last November with no spaces at the local school. We knew DD2 would get into the local school for reception due to our proximity, but with DD1 at the closest school with spaces - a mile away up a steep hill and busy roads - and start/finish times exactly the same, plus a two year old to bring with me (so no sprinting!) it was all a bit of a gamble DD1 would get in before September really!!

For what it's worth, if you do end up changing schools part way through a term, most children do seem to cope remarkably well, especially this young before really deep friendships get going. Poor DD changed schools twice in six months after only starting school just a year earlier, and is the sort of girl who resists change normally, but she was fine.

I've moved 6 places up the list to no.41 - however, I expect to massively move up in September.

Have now met DD's teacher at allocated school and really liked her. I went to look round twice - and even though it is Ofsted Outstanding and has a great reputation, but I just didn't like it. 1st choice school was amazing and has lots of pluses, but is a lot further away (bus v 8 minute walk). I can see that I will end up with a big dilemma should a place come up.

I'll be staying on the list, but rather hope that a place doesn't come up until I have had a chance to experience the allocated school and decide from a position of actual knowledge (DH has been on the board of governors for 1st choice for 9 years, so I know the score there).

Good luck to all who are waiting for places for September.

Pyrrah-Do your lists restart in September?
Our lists restarted on 25th July and we had to reapply!
So for my 3rd choice I've come down from 20th to 2nd as obviously people haven't gone back onto lists perhaps because they are on holiday or happy/ resigned with allocated school?
Crispy-FB- Thanks for your support! I'm just hangin on in there sigh...

Hurrah I got in! Started allocated school on 4th sept called 2nd choice school on the off chance knowing that actually the county deal with admissions and at first they said "your sons not on the list". Then 1 minute later they called back and said your son was offered a place yesterday! Wait until you get a letter and then confirm in writing that you want the space. My stress level has finally dropped and I feel a great weight has been removed! I've prayed loads.

Let me tell you guys something persistence pays off!
Our lists re-started on 24th of July and those parents that left for school holidays early came off the lists.
Of course the may have re- joined later if they even saw the email re: list 2013 ending.
But most of the mums I've overheard are resigned to allocated schools leaving diehards like me to remain on the list. For instance on my 4th choice school I went from 20th to no.4! Only when I told my neighbour did she bother to go back onto the lists as she was 1 place behind me.
Just because there are people in front of you It doesn't mean it's their 1st choice school.
And now the children have started school parents will only swap for their most preferred school place.

Are you Reception newmummy? If so I don't understand about restarting the waiting list. I thought the original list had to be maintained until Dec31st.

Yes I am reception.
In my county Hertfordshire the continuing interest lists ended on the
24th of July and then we had to fill out an inyear application (brand new) application for 2013/14

I see, I think. You're going into year1 in September.

We just started reception on Wednesday. My DS is born April 2009.

In the School Admissions Code it says that the waiting list has to be maintained for at least the first term of the academic year of admission, that is why I assumed you were in year1. I have never heard of any one having to fill in another application form before their child has even started in Reception.