Waiting list query

[ratqueen]

Hello. How do I go about getting on the waiting list of a school for a YR place this year? Do I have to wait until I find out which school we have got? Do I contact school or council? Dilemma is I wish I had put my second choice first.

Thanks!

My LA holds the waiting lists for both academies and community schools. You will need to contact your LA to find out what they do.

Thanks for the info! I have just called the council and they have advised submitting a late application with my previous second choice as my now first choice which will be considered the day before the waiting lists kick off.

I forgot to ask them what I should put as my second and third choices on this new application. My previous first choice, a catholic school, will think I am bonkers if I turn up with another faith criteria form. However, in my on-time application I only put two schools so shall I put as second choice what my third choice would have been? As I since regret not putting a third choice.

i have really ballsed this up haven't I despite obsessing about it for four years

Ps it is a community school (catchment, though we are right on the boundary. I know it may be a waiting list job anyway)

I honestly don't think I'd do what the LEA have advised, especially if you still quite like the first choice school. I would wait and see what happens on allocation day, you may get your second choice anyway and then I'd put your name down on waiting list. Do you think you might be experiencing the grass is always greener syndrome, especially if you've been thinking about this for 4 years!!

You will not have to submit a fresh faith criteria form for the Catholic school. They won't know anything has changed.

Be very careful, though. It sounds to me like the LA may be giving you very poor advice. They say your new application will be considered "the day before the waiting lists kick off". That sounds like it being considered as a late application which means your chances of getting a place at any of your preferred schools are low. If they are saying that they will still process your original application in the normal way you need to get that in writing. If they then do something different you will have evidence of what they said to help you at appeal.

Yes possibly (probably!) However, our rational decision was always our catchment school. I stupidly got sucked in impulsively changed my mind just before the application deadline and I think I need to at least try to reverse my mistake. As I understand it, my late application will not affect my first application it will just mean that my preference for my second choice will be considered a day before it would if I went on a waiting list. That's what she said anyway.

Hopefully my first choice will realise I am a terrible catholic and I will get my second choice!

Thanks prh that is good advice to get it in writing. I will email them to clarify what they said before I submit.

So would ou put what my choices should have been, ie catchment, catholic and undersubscribed back up? (oh how I had it all worked out)

Thanks, I have just emailed the admissions team to confirm this. If it turns out this was incorrect advice I will just go on the waiting list (if necessary) as I obv don't want to end up with no school.

It was incorrect - funnily enough! Thanks for the advice. Good job I checked!!!

Thanks Tiggy. I do too. I so wish I had listened to DH and put what we had planned!

Don't panic! Even if you get the wrong school, when you appeal you will be appealing from in catchment and will most likely be high on the priority list.

Secondly many schools have a turn over of pupils before school starts and during the school years (people moving areas or going private or to an alternative local school). It is always possible to move your child when a place becomes available and in the meantime home educate them or let them attend a different school temporarily.

Thanks 007. I would obv much prefer her to start where she is going to stay but failing that I will accept a place where I am offered one and go on the waiting list. Just been reading about how oversubscribed the school has been in recent years, tho her preschool reckons the birth rate is low for her year . Panicking again today so nice to read your post saying not to!

So glad the wait us nearly over - I am so anxious! Anxious times here as our 1st choice school is so over subscribed!

I am too bamboobear. Can't believe I have given myself even more anxiety than I would have already had anyway! Trying to think how I can possibly distract myself from spending all day on 16th refreshing my inbox. 3.5 loooong weeks to go...

That's all I will be doing !!! I feel like so much hangs on that day

Ratqueen - which school did your DD get in the end?

Aw thanks for asking ghoul. We got the first choice of course... hurray, not! I have a late application in for catchment school but pretty sure that'll be a rejection. Have also made sure we are on the waiting list, via three pointless emails to the council yesterday! Was upset with myself all over again yesterday but getting my head around it today.

Well it sounds like you're doing all the right things. I hope you do get a place at your second choice school. Don't beat yourself up about it though. DD may well get on brilliantly at the allocated school if she does end up there.

Thanks. It is a good school so it could be a lot worse. What will be will be I guess!