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Original poster

Waitlists for 7+

59 replies

Sunnytomorrow · 24/01/2022 19:55

Has anyone received an offer from a 7+ school waitlist?

My DD is on a waitlist for a school we really liked and I am unsure if we have any realistic chance of being contacted or if many offers are allocated this way. Timing-wise, I was also unsure when waitlists generally might be expected to move. I was hoping (perhaps naively) that some parents may even turn down ‘spare’ offers in the next week or two if they are lucky enough to get one they prefer more. Does that ever happen or is there generally no movement until next month (ie after the deadlines)?

On a related note, does anyone know if 7+ girls/co-ed schools like Bute House, Latymer Prep, Guildford, etc have sent out this year’s offers already?

Finally, I would also love to hear from any parents who took a 7+ waitlist offer. Did the school work out for your DC? Were you happy with your decision? Feel free to message me privately if you prefer.

I’d be really grateful for any information. I didn’t grow up in England so am relatively clueless about this stage in the 7+ process and trying hard to assess how much ‘hope’ to have for a waitlist place!

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sunshineclouds24 · 24/01/2022 20:19

If you could name the school it may help re advice. But I can advise that if the school is LEH then the wait list does move at age 7 and (which ever school ) you should contact the admissions team and let them know you will accept a place immediately if offered and pay the deposit that day.

Original poster
Sunnytomorrow · 24/01/2022 20:26

You’re right, it’s LEH, @sunshineclouds24!

(V impressed as to how you guessed that Smile)

That’s good advice, thank you.

OP posts:
Waitlist1234 · 24/01/2022 20:30

Sent you a pm did not realise you had aDd we have a Ds on waitlist

sunshineclouds24 · 24/01/2022 20:32

Guildford High has very few places, according to the thread in the Education (only 5 places this year) but when LU and Bute offers come out it will make a difference. Surbiton High too for those based on the other side of Kingston.
Parents also turn down a 7+ plus place if it involves a house move that they no longer feel confident about or because the state system near LEH is very good and sometimes faced with the cost of the fees for 4 years the state primary and a shot at Tiffin at 11 looks like a safer option.

Original poster
Sunnytomorrow · 28/01/2022 14:31

Does anyone know when Bute House or Latymer Prep are due to send out offers?

OP posts:
taj0112 · 28/01/2022 15:54

I understand LEH often offers to quite a few on their waiting list if that’s helpful.

Original poster
Sunnytomorrow · 28/01/2022 16:24

Thank you @taj0112; I am hoping things may move after the acceptance deadline but it’s impossible to predict at this stage (even for the school, I imagine).

My daughter really liked the school, as did I.

Am I right in thinking your DD is going there? If so, many congratulations to her!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunnytomorrow · 28/01/2022 16:25

The waiting game limbo is hard though!

OP posts:
taj0112 · 28/01/2022 18:07

@Sunnytomorrow. We are fortunate that she did yes - everything crossed for you!

Mum2015k · 30/01/2022 22:42

Hi, do waitlist typically move at SHHS for 7+? Sorry if wrong thread, I am new to mumsnet.

TypeAMum · 30/01/2022 22:55

Hello parents,
Our DD is on a 7+ waitlist for a few schools. This is our first experience and have a few questions about waitlists.

  1. Does anyone have any experience of being offered after being on 7+ waitlist for South Hampstead, Highgate or CLGS/CLJS? If so, after how many days?
  2. Do these lists stay active for the entire academic year? (We know Highgate is active but not sure about SHHS or CLGS/CLJS)
  3. Any information on how many places are typically there for each of the above mentioned schools would help.
  4. Lastly, does it help if the current head teacher is willing to give a ring to our first choice school?
NWMumofDD · 04/02/2022 09:14

Hi, any idea if waitlist has started moving at City for 7+? Thank you!

Jumanjijungle · 02/02/2023 17:11

Hi, my DD has been waitlisted at City Junior for 7+. Wondering whether someone else is in the same situation or have experience with reserve list at City? Does it move at all?

bstrong0805 · 02/02/2023 21:02

From what I’ve heard (no personal experience), the waitlist moves mainly after the initial acceptance deadline has passed. I would try and email or call to see if the school can give you some idea though as I know a fair amount of money is involved.

Mothership2 · 02/02/2023 22:38

The waitlist has started to move. We gave up our offers from the likes of Highgate, City and Habs. The Head of our school made respective calls for families who are next of the waitlist and I've been informed that a couple of families now have an offer. It does depend on a number of factors.

@TypeAMum if you've made your choices clear and the Head has a good relationship with your school of choice, then a call would be very helpful at this point.

Good luck!

Lihua · 02/02/2023 23:32

thank you so much for the messages, really appreciate it. My daughter has been put on the waiting list at Bute. Any idea on how many girls are usually on their waiting list?

Mothership2 · 03/02/2023 08:48

@Lihua I'd pressure not many, as they only took a small handful of girls this year. I know one of my students will be giving up her offer from there today as she received offers from a few all-through schools. Good luck!

Lihua · 03/02/2023 08:54

Mothership2 · 03/02/2023 08:48

@Lihua I'd pressure not many, as they only took a small handful of girls this year. I know one of my students will be giving up her offer from there today as she received offers from a few all-through schools. Good luck!

@Mothership2 Thank you for your kind message, that makes a lot of sense. All-through schools do help with bring more peace and calm to parents and students.
have a great day!

Mothership2 · 03/02/2023 08:56

Sorry for the typo I meant pressume.

Yes the all-through schools were the ones they would be targeting for the 11+.

Frogusha · 03/02/2023 09:20

Anybody has got an offer off the wait list for SHHS 7+ yet? I already annoyed the administrator with asking many times but doesn't sound like there has been much more movement.

riverm00n · 03/02/2023 09:40

@Lihua Without sounding too pessimistic, Bute waitlist didn't seem to have moved much in the past years. To be honest, Bute is full of girls (7+) who turned down 7-18 schools for various reasons. Not very many 7+ girls there had only Bute offer. Some parents do go for 7-18 schools instead but Bute take this into consideration and over offer at first.......

FeelingAnxious248 · 03/02/2023 10:57

@Mothership2 do you know which schools have started making offers off the waitlist? You mentioned some families you knew had firm offers now?

Mothership2 · 03/02/2023 11:15

@FeelingAnxious248 Highgate and City to my knowledge so far. Wishing your little one all the best.

FeelingAnxious248 · 03/02/2023 11:37

Thank you! Highgate sent an email to everyone for 7+ and 4+ last night saying no waitlist offers had been made or would be made before Monday so that's a bit worrying!

Frogusha · 03/02/2023 12:46

Same at SHHS but i think that's the waitlist situation - why make a payment for 2nd preference school if you have a wait list for 1st preference, wait till closer to the deadline. Sadly probably will be no movement till Tuesday night / Wed for us. Also, some people don't even think about turning down a place, only accepting.