Are there rejection letters and waiting list letters for reception at private schools?

[ELDV]

We received what sounded like a out and out rejection letter from a school.
I am grasping at straws probably but they had said over the phone in the summer that although we may not make the first round of offers we would probably make the second round of offers.

The letter did in mention being on a waiting list.

How do these letters work in general? Is there a letter that just rejects and another one that you may receive saying that we don't have an offer at the moment but are on a waiting list?

I suppose I am just trying to establish if we have any hope at all for the situation changing.

Sorry I should have said the letter didn't mention a waiting list

It depends.

Was there any kind of assessment for entry?

No there wasn't.

Can you find out where you are on the waiting list?

Oh sorry, didn't read your post properly. I would ring them and ask. They all work differently.

Thanks I will do. They are now shut for two weeks over half term, so the wait will drive me mad! The letter even said we wish you luck finding a school which was what really made me worries

When is your child supposed to start? September 2015? I would have a look round and see what other schools are available tbh. It sounds as though they have allocated all their places. It doesn't mean you won't get a place, its dependent on the wait list and where you are on it. In my dc's school 2 children dropped out prior to them starting at the school. (This happened in both dc's classes). This is because they got the state schools they wanted. So you might be in with a small chance, but you need a plan B.

If there was no assessment for entry, then I would presume that you can request to be put on the wait list. It may well be that the wait list is also full if in certain areas, and that's why they haven't mentioned it.

We moved country and were 6th on the waitlist, we got a place. But depends on the school really. Best call and find out. If you get on the waitlist, keep in contact regular with the school to confirm you are still interested.

Not being negative, but has your child got special needs? This can stop a child getting a place at a private school, regrettably. The letter did sound a bit final.

If they haven't mentioned a waiting list then assume you haven't made the shortlist and look elsewhere. They will probably keep a few on a waiting list or over offer based on previous years' cancellation pattern. Maybe this intake has a number of siblings who take priority. Even over half term there is usually someone in an admin capacity .

That is a fair point too. Both my dc's names were on the waiting list at 4 months old.

Which school? I hate to say it but usually if you are on a WL they will be fairly clear about it, however non selective schools are often backups for many people so there can be a lot of movement in Jan/Feb when the places for the selective schools come out.