Didn't get any of our FIVE choices for primary school

[LieutenantAmerica]

We figured we wouldn't get into our first choice. We're right outside the sweet spot for the second. Surely we'd at least get our third choice. Or our fourth. Fifth choices don't even count, right?

Wrong. We didn't get into any of the five we put down. How common is this in London? We've been told our son is to go to a school we've never heard of and don't want.

The wrinklepotentially a good one for usis that our landlady is chucking us out on June 1, so we've almost secured a new place further away from the school they gave us. We live in East Dulwich; we were offered a place well southwest of us. We're moving north to Herne Hill on June 1. The school we were offered (and don't want) is 35 minutes away from the new place, Google Maps tells us. Is this decent ground for an appeal?

Those are schools that are likely to be heavily oversubscribed. Check out Crawford primary. It's got a large admission PAN 90 and has also been on a 'journey' though is now out the other side and frankly fantastic. Every single parent I know who viewed it this year, put it first though it is still very unsung so less over subscribed. Suspect that will change when they introduce mandarin next year

In Dulwich, many people apply for schools as insurance but end up going private, so waiting lists will move a lot.

Accept, get on the waiting list of every school you'd prefer, and you'll probably geta new offer in May when they shake down all the acceptances and changes.

Just been admiring Facebook photos of a close friend's 15 year old dd on her birthday. They lived in the middle of Herne Hill but were delighted to send their child to Dulwich Wood.

How times change!

I know someone who got an in year reception place at judith kerr last year - was that one of the 5? Fenstanton is probably /may be under subscribed and would be an easier journey than dulwich woods (we didn't visit it). Any chance you can get your se24 address sooner - there will be a lot of movement as the private schoolers drop out which it would be a shame to miss.

RandomMess, they were the four closest plus one a bit farther away.

We've signed a tenancy agreement. I don't know if schools will accept that for waiting lists or not. And it's for two years.

I would check re address it will matter to waiting lists. Will you be happy with something /anything practical? Is private an option at all?

I feel for you realistically 4 of our 6 closest schools were impossible too popular /faith schools - so really our 'choice' was out of two but at least we had that choice / got our favoured one of those. I think having 6 'choices' in london is so mis-leading only a few roads have such happy problems.

If you go on east dulwich forum (family room) one of the councillors has posted surgery times/ dates for unhappy southwark parents. Would really find out where you are on waiting list and how your new address would affect this

Thanks, Toomanywheeliebinsagain. My wife also made it to anther meeting this morning held near Peckham Rye common, and they were hopeful for our chances after our move to Herne Hill.

By the way, wife reminded me that I was wrong; we applied unsuccessfully to SIX schools, not five.

Great

For anyone who winds up reading this thread later on, the story ends happily; we were surprised with a great offer off a waiting list after our move to Herne Hill was confirmed.

Now to sort out secondary for the older one.

Congratulations, whAt a nice update

Oh well-done!

You were due to move tomorrow, no? So they accepted the tenancy agreement as evidence?

I would definitely keep him out a year anyway.

My experience of late summer babies is going into school can be traumatic enough.

And then apply for next year to newest school to new place. Makes sense!

Oh sorry just read update.

New address must bump you up the Charter list surely?