Requests to visit a currently full primary school are being ignored. Is this usual?

[TodayToday]

I'm moving in the summer. DD1 will need to join a school in Year1 in September. Out of 5 schools I am interested in, 3 are currently full. Some of them have a 3 form entry though, so the chances of a place becoming free by September is not out of the question.

I am trying to arrange appointments to visit the schools next month but one school keeps referring me to the LEA and is ignoring my requests to visit.

I will have to complete a form where I get to put down 3 preferences. This is a bit of a chicken and egg situation. I won't know where there are places before I make the selections. However, I'm hardly likely to put down the name of a school that I haven't seen! IS the school being deliberately uncooperative or have I caught the secretary on a bad day or am I being (shudder) unreasonable?!!?

I imagine they have a humgous waiting list and therfore know you won't have a hope.

However, personally unhelpful school is a big no-no and I wouldn't touch them- regardless of whether tis sueless Secretary (secretaries in schools V V important) or something else

Yes, the attitude so far is not warming me to the school. They haven't mentioned the waiting list but I have asked enough questions about 'likelihood' of places becoming available to enable them to mention it.

Should I persevere or just write the school off based on this?

You could just pop in one day immediately after the morning chaos had died down. A spot check if you like.

Does the website give you links to the PTA or the parent governors?

There isn't a website at all! Very secretive

Why do you mention the PTA/parent governors out of interest?

I would go in on the pretext of picking up a prospectus. While you are there ask to book an appointment to be shown round.