HELP!!! Don't know whether I should appeal or not? Going mad!!!!

[peanut29]

I have just found out that my DS has not got into my two preffered schools but has got into our 3rd choice (a v.good school). My problem is that every single child in DS nursery class has got into one or other of my preffered schools and DS is the only one going to number 3. Also, every other child will start in September but DS will have to start after easter (1st May!) as this school still does three intakes a year. I have found out from LEA that I am 10th & 14th on waiting lists for preffered schools, so I don't hold any hope of getting in by Sept. I don't know whether I should appeal (although don't have any grounds as class size is at max level and others live closer to the school, even though I only live 3 little streets away!)or should I just stay on the waiting lists as I have untill 1st May for something to come up? Should I just be grateful that he got into a good school at all? I am so confused and am going out of my mind with worry. I can't think of anything else!!! Also, I am in the priority admission area (HA HA!) for the first two schools but am out of catchment for no 3, so may have problem when DD goes to school as she will be an 'out of catchment sibling'. ARGH!!!!!!! Has anyone else had this prob?? Am I alone? Can't take any more! x

The not being in the same class as others from nursery wouldn't bother me at all. Children adapt, make new friends really easily, and often change their friendship groups completely fairly quickly.

My eldest didn't know a soul when she started school (we had just moved into the town.) But it didn't make a scrap of difference.

The question of being out of catchment for your next child is slightly more problematic. Do you know where out of catchment siblings come in the pecking order? Could you have a chat with school no. 3 and ask if these siblings often/usually get in.

Or you could accept the place at no.3 but still get on the waiting lists for your catchment schools anyway and delay the decision - it's really common for children to drop off the schools' lists.

Agree with portonovo about the not knowing anyone not being a problem thing.
And, boy, you are lucky you have three good schools near you!
I'd just accept no3, keep on the waiting list for 1 and 2, and bide your time

If my DS stays at this school, in the event of oversubscription when my DD applys, she will be admitted under criteria number 3 (out of priority admissions area with a sibling). If DS got into one of the other two schools my DD would then be admitted (in the event of oversubscription) under criteria 1 (in priority admissions area with a sibling). She would almost be guaranteed a place if he goes to schools 1 & 2, just might be a problem for school 3, although DS got in being out of catchement and with no sibling this year!!!!! Might be jumping the gun a bit I think
Will def accept place and stay on waiting lists and keep my fingers crossed that between now and next May (pref Sept) there is a mass exodus of people living in Wickford. Then I would def get a place