Eadmissions system and taking a punt/gamble

[OsmiumPhazer]

Like many other parents, I really am puzzeled by this system and was wondering if anyone could provide me with the answer.

My DS is already attending a nursery at a very good Church school, and I am just about to submit my form. I wish to take a ‘punt’ on another equally good school and place it at choice number one. If I was to make this choice, and my DS didn’t get in, would it compromise my DS existing school as choice number two?

The short answer is no, it won't.

Longer answer:

The LEA will get your preferences, and will work out which (if any) of your preferences you would qualify for a place at. They will then offer you a place at the highest ranked preference that you qualify for.

It's perfectly possible, if very unlikely, to qualify for all 6 (or 3) schools listed, in which case you'd only be offered a place at your first choice.

Hope that makes sense!

No. You get the highest ranked school you qualify for. So if you don't get school 1, but rank higher in the criteria for school 2 than someone who named it as their school 1, you would get the place.

Thank you all for the quick answers.
The long and short of it is, we love our DS existing school but love another even more but it does not have a nursery unlike my DS existing school. There is no guarantee of a reception place for my DS in his school, but I want to hedge our bets on placing this school as choice 2 regardless. Both schools are Faith schools, and yes my DS has fulfilled the criteria of regular worship

Is the school your DS is currently attending nursery for your closest school? If not, make sure you always include your nearest school on your application somewhere (even as bottom preference). Being in the nursery at a school does not guarantee a Reception place there.

Actually Tiggytape your answer is the closet one I was seeking