More likely to get 1st choice if I write why?

[imgonflirtwiththedevil]

Just wondering if I should write my reasons for my first choice in my state school application? This is optional on the application, but I'm wondering if this will give us a better chance.

I have my heart set on the local outstanding school and a neighbour's son 3 doors down got a place last year, so hoping distance will give us a better chance.

Also, can I try and be a bit strategic by putting down good schools that are further away? That way they can't not give us our 1st choice

It will go one of two ways 79fleur
If they are entitled to a place at that school they will get it, just as they would have done if they had fully completed the form. They will probably then go around crowing about how they beat the system with their clever ploy. Unfortunately that may encourage others to do the same.
Or, they won't be eligible for a place at that school in which case they will be offered a place at the nearest school with places left after everyone who completed their application fully has been placed. Which could well be the school in the area that nobody wants.
Its a ploy that has no benefits. It cannot help but can certainly harm. Every application I have ever filled in specifically counsels against doing this. Frankly, it is a stupid thing to do. Even when I have been 99% certain of getting a place at my preferred school (we are in a village and I could count the handful of children who live nearer) I still listed other preferences. It isn't difficult to fully complete the application and strange things do occasionally happen so why potentially put yourself in the position of having to make do with whatever is left over at the end of the process?

Ill be filling in for high schools this year for my oldest child. Im putting an out of catchment school first, which for the last few years we would have got in - last year just! One child only in the criteria below us. But I'm putting as our second (and final) choice the school we will have no issues getting in to ( based on Feeder, faith and distance).