3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ Support thread 2019

[mumteacher]

In previous years I have started these threads to help and support all those involved in the independent school admissions process.

I wasn't going to start one this year as I know I would not be able to check back on it as regularly as I would like, which then defeats the purpose of the thread.

However, after numerous positive PM's about the threads I think it would be a shame not to start one where at least the hand holding can continue. 🤝

There are many many people who have been through the process and 'live to tell the tale' . There are also other tutors I know who read this thread and it would be great if you all could help and support and share your ideas👏🏼

(Roll on 2019!) 😉

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/3073499-3-4-5-7-support-thread-2018

@Stressedmum2019

I don't know how big - but I know of one school with 6 children on the UCS waiting list.......

@wishthiswasmorefun
Don't lose faith, the WL will not start moving until after the deadline. Every year the WL moves. You can phone up the school to ask your son's position in the WL.

Anyone on the SHHS waiting list at 4+? We have a waitlist offer and wondering if the list moves. We have a confirmed offer at NLCS but live much closer to SHHS.

Thank you so much for your kindness, I did speak with them as you suggested, and they’ve advised they have not heard back from a few people-but can’t imagine anyone declining, they were lovely and said he was in the top tier of the list, but have to say I’m on virgin territory and finding it all very intimidating

@lonmum1234
sorry if someone has already responded to this - haven’t had a chance to read the thread properly-

last year nlcs didn’t need to go the reserve list. they over offered and more accepted than they had anticipated - so current reception has 43 girls

the year before they did go to the reserve list

xx

@phopa shhs have a big reserve list and they’ve offered places to girls on the reserve list every year for the last few years including last year

i think lots of people sit shhs as a practice also as it’s an early assessment in nov - so lots of drop off x

@phopa

Do call SHHS to let them know :-)

My DD has been wait listed for a reception place at St Margaret's Hampstead. Does anyone know how likely it is that we will get a place?

Don’t despair @wishthiswasmorefun - it is hard with WUS WL especially because St Paul’s and KCS all come out way before WUS so most people should have an idea if they want to wait for WUS or accept the other offers. As @organiccoffee suggested the WL won’t begin to move until after the deadline and there will be kids sitting on multiple offers so there is still hope. And if nothing else - given he made it to wait list he is in a very strong position for 8+!!!

I’m so grateful Omasa, and organiccofee, The etiquette of the situation is beyond me! I don’t want to be a headache for the school, on the other hand another mum told me she called everyday and was given a place from the WL ! It’s impossible to know what to do, it’s very humbling being entirely powerless in a situation about a little person you love so much. So thank you, thank you for spending the time for your words of comfort xxx

I have and they said they will come back to me. Any experience of this actually working?

@lonmum1234 hi hang in there I know it's not a good situation to be on the waiting list, my DD was on the wait list for NLCS sand they offered her a place in may, also keep calling them till the deadline for final acceptance, if you really want the school, at least they'll know you are interested, all the best x

Thanks all. This thread is so supportive! Am I right in thinking then that the reserve lists are small and there is no ranking or do they do it in some order.

@Stressedmum2019 for ucs at 7+ I think they have 60 Places they over offer by 20 and then they have 20 on the wait list so in a way it’s a very big wait list - however it moves a lot. Most of the boys show will get ucs will also get the other schools on the NL circuit and for most UCS won’t be their first choice. In some ways their wait list is very diffferent from Westminster and SPJ where they only offer a few extra and have a few on the waitlist .

There’s also talk that the headteachers between the schools in NL talk so they will know who is likely to accept and reject their offer which allows them to over offer by such a high number - all rumours of course but also very probable!

Good luck to everyone on the WL - fingers x everyone gets into the right school for them

@shopgal BTW was this last year

Thank you @omasa I hope you are right

Ucs have around 35 places as 25 of the 60 go to the pre prep.

And do they over offer in first instance like Omasa says?

Is there any order or ranking with the waiting lists or just who keeps calling?

@lonmum1234 no the year before as someone had mentioned, I don't know much about the order, they had told me it's a very short list and there doesn't seem to be any particular order

@whatisit12345

I was a bit surprised/underwhelmed at the Habs girls open day. It was disorganized and the girls giving us a tour had a scuffle and lost our group. Went back to give it a second chance but it didn't quite have the same vibe as other schools we'd visited- NLCS (a well-oiled machine) , Highgate (buzzing, kids had that easy going confidence). Did you get that impression?

If anyone is on WL for habs or nlcs 7+, thought it may be nice to know that we have made the decision to decline both offers and accept highgate.

We thought all three were brilliant and DD would've been happy at any of these schools, but highgate is far closer and easier to drop off/pick up for us, so that wins.

Good luck to anyone still waiting!

@butterstone I was quite impressed by Habs . We are going on offers day so will tell you more after that. Equally impressed by Highgate and the kids and teachers there.
It is such a difficult decision. Highgate is a long commute for us compared to Habs.

I remain ever hopeful that someone will decline nlcs but I suspect not with its reputation and what ive heard of it its well worth even a long commute for!

I mean at 4+