Primary waiting lists...

[GeekyWombat]

I know lots of people are in worse situations, I know the school DD has been allocated (second preference) is a great school, it’s just we found a school that felt like a better fit for her in so many ways. Even DH was smitten with it (and usually he’s the rational one while I get sentimental and overinvested).

We’re on the waiting list for school one, although we won’t know where on it until May 3. Obviously if we’re 30th on the list for 90 places we’re done and that’s fine, but I guess I’m just wondering realistically how much jigging about between schools really goes on. Should I be trying to just get to grips with bidding the dream school farewell now? Or is there likely to be a fair amount of movement around the place? We’re not planning on appealing or anything like that, it was just a punt because we’re a fair way from the school but everyone was saying it was a low birth rate year so it was worth a look. We looked and part of me wishes we hadn’t because if we hadn’t I’d have been doing cartwheels at DD getting school two.

I don’t even really know what I’m asking, I think it’s cause I’ve been awake most of the night waiting for the offers to hit the website (which then crashed).

Are there 90 places? Also do you think that many people go private as often that can mean there is more flux in the system. With 90 places and lots of private schools you might get lucky even fairly low down the list. If it was a 30 intake, few private schools and lots of siblings you would be low down. Also many people won't move their child once they have started in September but if you stay on the continuing interest list then you might get a place in reception or yr 1.

It was a 90 intake year, and the head teacher told us they believed there were 36 in catchment. It’s an Academy with a recent Outstanding Ofsted, so I’m not sure how many would go private rather than there but it’s a county that loves private schools generally (if you’re richer than us ;))

In a county with lots of private schools there might be some movement as even though Tarquin gets into an outstanding school, there are the 29 other children he might need to play with who might be a bad influence. Many people will still decide to go private.

Based on children accepted last year, how far away are you from the catchment area? That might give you some indication of the likelihood of coming off the waitlist and getting an offer.