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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Help! Need to apply for school - not sure which way round to put choice

9 replies

KentonArcher · 15/01/2015 15:47

Hi - my friend is going through a puzzling time and I said I knew some great people who might be able to advise her, quickly!

She needs to apply by tonight for primary/infant for DD2. Her catchment school is fine and all would be okay. But she loves (probably a bit more) another school out of catchment (near her parents, which last year had PAN of 60 and offered 59) so would look like it wasn't over subscribed.

Should she put catchment school as preference no. 1 to ensure she gets a place somewhere she'd be happy with? Or should she put her heart's desire as Preference no. 1 and catchment school as no. 2 and risk not getting either? Is there any hard and fast knowledge/advice you can give her please?

So as not to dripfeed .. her DD1 is privately educated elsewhere and DD2 won't be, so there will be no sibling advantage anywhere.

Many thanks,

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LIZS · 15/01/2015 15:50

She should put in order of her preference. The schools order all applications made , not taking account of preference , the LA then determine the highest preference for which she is eligible.

Original poster

KentonArcher · 15/01/2015 15:52

Okay, thanks.

Also, if she puts her catchment as her no. 1, can she then apply/put her DD on waiting list of other school?

OP posts:

bakingtins · 15/01/2015 15:55

No. The LA offer one place (at the school highest up your preferences where you qualify) and if you reject it they have done their bit, you are on your own. If she wants the out of catchment school put that first, with the closest school as a back up, and a third choice of another acceptable school she realistically will get in to.

MrsCakesPrecognition · 15/01/2015 16:00

Heart's desire should be listed first.

Needmorechocolate · 15/01/2015 16:03

I'd put the one she wants as first choice and catchment as second.

Original poster

KentonArcher · 15/01/2015 17:19

Thank you all, very much appreciated.

OP posts:

MrsKCastle · 15/01/2015 18:45

Yes, heart's desire first- this will have no impact whatsoever as to whether she qualifies for a place in the catchment school.

jalopyjane · 15/01/2015 18:51

Totally agree with advice to put her preferred school first even if her chances of getting a place are slim. She will not be taking a risk - Google the equal preference system.

footallsock · 15/01/2015 20:22

Out one she wants first. Catchment as back up

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