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Original poster

I chose the wrong school, and got it.

41 replies

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/04/2019 18:55

Ok, it was stupid, but DS has been offered my first choice, and really prefer the second choice. I also don't know how the hell he got an offer, but that is beside the point.

How do I fix this?! Please advise!

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Reaah · 16/04/2019 18:57

Was first choice the wrong one?

Original poster
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/04/2019 19:08

Yes - I chose it because it has holiday childcare, but really prefer the non-denominational one which is also 0.1miles from my house. The school we got is more oversubscribed, usually.

OP posts:
EduCated · 16/04/2019 19:09

Go on the waiting list for your preferred school - it doesn’t matter where you ranked it.

You can appeal, but as you will see from other threads it massively depends on whether or not Infant Class Size rules will apply.

SoyDora · 16/04/2019 19:11

You need to find out whether the other school is oversubscribed, first of all. And you need to get yourself on the waiting list. Other than that there isn’t much you can do, unfortunately.

Original poster
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/04/2019 19:15

Can I put DS on a waiting list for school B while holding a place for him at school A?

OP posts:
SoyDora · 16/04/2019 19:17

Yes. Accept the place at school A and request to be put on the waiting list for school B. They should be able to tell you what position you’re in on the waiting list.

ICantFindAFreeNickName2 · 16/04/2019 19:17

Yes you can

AWishForWingsThatWork · 16/04/2019 19:20

Yes. Accept the place you've been given and then ask to go on School B's waiting list. Do not turn down your place!

Wineandpyjamas · 16/04/2019 19:20

@SoyDora - just out of interest how do you find out the position on the waiting list?

EduCated · 16/04/2019 19:21

Yes. Accept School A so you at least have somewhere. You could also go on other waiting lists too if there are other schools you would prefer to this one.

Original poster
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/04/2019 19:22

Excellent - I will do that. School B is usually not oversubscribed. It's not that school A is bad - it's just that I've realized DS doesn't even know who baby Jesus is, and it's probably not a good fit.

I am kicking myself hard.

OP posts:
titchy · 16/04/2019 19:23

All schools have to do Christian stuff op so be careful if that's your only reason. He'll find out about Jesus whatever school he goes to.

SoyDora · 16/04/2019 19:27

Wineandpyjamas our LEA told us (last year when we were applying for DD1). We were 7th on the waiting list to start with and did get offered a place in the end (which we turned down as we had changed our minds anyway!).

Original poster
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/04/2019 19:40

Ah no, I have nothing against - it's just that if all the other kids come from families that are into that, he might be out of place.

Someone has just told me you can hold a place and go on a list for a school higher up your list, but not lower, if you got your first choice?

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LittleBearPad · 16/04/2019 19:43

I’d really wouldn't assume that church school families are religious. It doesn’t follow at all.

toomuchfaster · 16/04/2019 19:44

Don't listen to 'someone', get on the phone to the school! Disclaimer: unless they're an admissions lead!!

Letthemysterybe · 16/04/2019 19:47

Pretty much all of the primary schools in my local area are church schools. They are certainly not full of church going families. Though my year 1 dc does now know more about the Easter story than I do!

SoyDora · 16/04/2019 19:48

But other parents will have applied for it for similar reasons to you. They won’t all be there because they’re religious.

EvaHarknessRose · 16/04/2019 19:55

What will you do for holiday childcare?

Original poster
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/04/2019 19:57

I'll certainly speak to the council. It wouldn't be a disaster if he goes there - I think I've just got attached to the idea of school B, since by all rights DS had no chance of getting near school A.

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Solasum · 16/04/2019 19:58

My DS is at a Catholic school, and so far I have met just one set of parents who regularly attend church. I really wouldn’t discount it on religion alone if it is more convenient in other ways

Original poster
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 16/04/2019 19:58

I could still apply for the holiday childcare at school A... although children attending there do get priority.

OP posts:
Chartreuser · 16/04/2019 19:59

My area definitely only allows you to go into waiting lists for higher preference choices, so in your scenario wouldn't allow us onto the list

Raera · 16/04/2019 19:59

He will not be out of place at all, do accept though before exploring other options

IC4nSeeYourPixels · 16/04/2019 20:36

it's just that I've realized DS doesn't even know who baby Jesus is, and it's probably not a good fit.

None of us are are catholic or religious in way, and to add to things she was separated from her primary school friends and was the only kid from her primary in her form group, I was worried sick about her fitting in but she's thriving and her confidence has come on brilliantly. She says her friends and other classmates don't sit around talking about religion in their free time and it's just part of some lessons. I know there's also several other non catholic children get places at this school every year.