4+ play date assessments feedback

[Lily7050]

DS attended assessments in two schools. In both there were other boys from his nursery. DS got an offer from one school with one week deadline to pay deposit. The payment deadline has now passed but his nursery friend has not hear anything from this school.
Neither us nor DS's nursery friend's parents have heard anything from the 2nd school.
Just wondering if it is the usual practice to get back to successful candidates only and ignore others?

I would pick up the phone and ask admissions. Why haven't you done so?

I've heard of schools not getting back to parents, there is no usual practice with these things, but I'd say your friend isn't in for school one, and you're both not in for school two OR they could just be slow getting back to you all...only way to know for sure is to phone or email.

So, for those of us not in the cognoscenti:

You're talking about pre prep schools?

They "interview" and call it a play date????

@JanglyBeads : yes, pre preps doing play dates- "assessments" for entry to Reception.

Didn't know about this.

Do they say what they're assessing them for?

It is unusual. They usually email so get your friend to check her spam email
and if nothing call

Thanks @skyhighomen . Tbh, we are not that keen on the school that did not get back to us, mainly because of commute.
However, we are going for assessment at another school and I would like to know if we should just sit and wait or it would be ok to phone to the school to find the outcome.

Could it maybe like job interviews....

They won't tell the unsuccessful people until enough successful people have accepted. They won't want to tell people they didn't get in and end up with spaces if their first choice people turn it down

My DC started from pre-prep, so I know your pain!

Don't be shy giving schools a nudge or asking when you'll hear back, they won't mind as long as you're polite, don't suffer in silence.

Fingers crossed for your preferred school, and as someone told me, at 3/4+ entry they may as well pick a name out of a hat, as potential is impossible to tell that early, so luck comes into it.

Your DS already received an offer, you'll be fine!!

Yup, this is normal at 4+. Especially noticeable when two people from same nursery apply and one gets an instant offer.

I can think of at least 3 central London pre-preps like this.

And what did they call them before the term play date came over from the States?

It’s a bit odd and suggests the school isn’t wildly over subscribed.

The popular pre-preps hear have clear deadlines and timelines and operate a waiting list to manage spare places after offers go out.

In the nicest possible way, you need to ask the school(s) - each one will have its own system. None of us will have the answer unless you name the school and even then, their systems of notifying prospective parents may have changed.

(p.s. check you junk mail in case they notify via email)

Hi OP, some schools will send out offer letters in patches. Depending on how many take up the offer from the first patch of offers they will then send out more offer letters.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/primary/4402970-3-4-5-7-support-thread-mumteacher-2021?page=9&reply=120910043

That's unusual. Usually there is a given day in which you will get one of three replies

1. congratulations, here's a place
2. sorry, no place for you
3. we'd like to have you but you're not quite far up enough on the list for a place but you are on our reserve list and we'll call if enough people turn us down.

Thanks to everyone who responded.
@passport123 : that is what I expected, that the school will at least inform parents of the outcome.