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Original poster

Highgate 7+ wait list?

28 replies

munchymoo · 27/01/2023 16:43

We’ve just found out that DS didn’t get an offer from Highgate - really gutted. The rejection letter doesn’t mention a wait list. Is there one? I’m assuming there is but DS isn’t on it if it’s not been mentioned in the letter.

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bstrong0805 · 27/01/2023 16:59

Yes, we are on the reserve list. I am confident though as I know the list moves quite a bit in the coming week. Fingers crossed.

EllaAn · 27/01/2023 20:09

Yes I also know of a few on the reserve list so it definitely exists.

BabyLemonady · 27/01/2023 20:59

On the rear be list too, they say that it is short but does it move much closer to deadline? Apparently some schools do, others not so much …

EllaAn · 27/01/2023 22:56

I’m a local tutor and get the impression that there’s nothing short about this waitlist. Don’t be banking on much movement as they will already have over offered.

I think that there’s a lot of game playing going on here by Highgate and I’m not sure it will play out well for the school’s reputation. The late release of results (4.30pm) really troubles me as an act of game playing.

Original poster
munchymoo · 28/01/2023 06:43

@EllaAn what do you think it’s about? I just thought it was late so they could avoid a whole load of angry parents calling up with DC not getting in, give them time to calm down over the weekend before calling the school?

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EllaAn · 28/01/2023 10:16

I’m not entirely sure but have strong suspicions of game playing. One of my students received an offer but not until after 4.30pm - her parents spent all day waiting and assuming she hadn’t been successful as the day went on. It’s normal for rejections to be late in the day but not offers.
Given they notify the applicants’ schools of the results the day before there’s really no reasonable excuse for leaving it so late.

Original poster
munchymoo · 28/01/2023 10:52

@EllaAn what sort of game playing? What would be the intention, the benefit? I ask as it may make me feel better that we didn’t get a place! 😓

OP posts:
Rockingallovertheworld88 · 28/01/2023 11:14

It’s really common it seems for many schools to do this? We received an offer at 4.40 one Friday and many do this or pop in the post to avoid the onslaught of many questions from highly emotional parents. I can’t see a game just perhaps efficiency!

EllaAn · 28/01/2023 11:34

I’m not saying it doesn’t happen elsewhere but I question the motives. I don’t think many parents would actually call the school to complain. I’m a teacher in NW London as well as a tutor and would be very surprised to hear that this happens in large numbers but, if it does, then it explains sending the rejections late in the day, not the actual offers. To me it’s a game to keep people hanging on and thereby engage their interest once the offer arrives.

I don’t like it personally whatever the reason for it - I think the schools should show respect for the parents who are waiting for the news and let them know before right at the end of the day. That’s just my opinion and is shared by the parents whose daughter I tutored (she was offered a place). As I said in an earlier post, we know the day before in the applicants’ current schools, so I don’t like making the parents wait unnecessarily. Maybe I’m old fashioned in this respect so I’ll leave my comments on it there.

mumzy4u · 28/01/2023 14:34

@EllaAn is this the case for nlcs , shhs and habs and so on - do nurseries and schools get told I advance ?

bstrong0805 · 28/01/2023 16:07

@EllaAn i agree with your views. I thought it was inappropriate for it to come that late. I know a lot of kids who were expecting to be on the list and aren’t, so I’m wondering if Highgate has done something different this year. Time will tell.

FogAftertheRain · 28/01/2023 17:56

I don't get this whole game playing, it's a school ie people are sending this out, employees who possibly spent the day trying to make sure all the dots were crossed. Not a romantic lover trying to neg anyone.

I'm a north London parent with a kid not yet at 7+ age but honestly I've been treating these entries like a grad programme thing, so if my child gets in perfect! But if not, it might not just be because they weren't good enough but that the intake was crazy good. I'm probably blaze now because it's not my kid. I heard the schools this year have had 3x the number of applicants than before the pandemic.

@munchymoo did you apply for other schools?

FogAftertheRain · 28/01/2023 17:57

EllaAn · 28/01/2023 10:16

I’m not entirely sure but have strong suspicions of game playing. One of my students received an offer but not until after 4.30pm - her parents spent all day waiting and assuming she hadn’t been successful as the day went on. It’s normal for rejections to be late in the day but not offers.
Given they notify the applicants’ schools of the results the day before there’s really no reasonable excuse for leaving it so late.

@EllaAn what does this even mean??!!?? How can a school game play!!!???

Chickensoup4567 · 28/01/2023 20:42

Definitely not 3x the amount of applicants this year to the pre Covid years. Applications were up but not by that amount! The schools told us the figures on assessment day.

We got an offer from Highgate but will be declining. Good luck to those waiting. I found the late email annoying for what it’s worth but it’s not our first choice so I wasn’t as anxious as I would have been if it was! All the best.

mumoftwo86 · 30/01/2023 10:43

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

8daisy · 31/01/2023 13:29

@EllaAn I have actually experienced the opposite having been through the 7+ three times in the last 4 year with my children, in several schools in North London. Offers come later in the day whilst rejections first, at least according to many parents I have spoken to (who got a rejection before our offer for example). I have 2 children at Highgate and my youngest got an offer on Friday, I don't see any game playing. It is a fantastic school, who got 400 applications this year (vs 300 4 years ago), not sure what you are implying. City and Habs came in yesterday btw.

Schooldecisions2023 · 31/01/2023 14:26

Good for future parents to know anyway that offers can be sent late in the day and so to know not to read anything in to no news!

Rainbow17 · 02/02/2023 22:02

Does anyone know if they have moved to the UCS 7+ waitlist? Keeping me on tenterhooks waiting to find out!

hampsteadmum · 02/02/2023 22:20

@Rainbow17 Yes, they moved yesterday. I know of someone who was offered a place from the UCS waitlist.

Rainbow17 · 02/02/2023 22:29

Thanks very much @hampsteadmum Not heard anything yet so will just have to keep our fingers crossed I suppose!

hampsteadmum · 02/02/2023 22:33

@Rainbow17 You need to chase up actively if you want it. The pre-prep heads, and many parents, governors etc of kids in waitlists are in constant communication with the schools.

Rainbow17 · 02/02/2023 22:39

Thanks @hampsteadmum I have called twice but so difficult to know how much to follow up in terms of looking keen v. risking annoying them…

Shampern · 02/02/2023 22:39

I'm not sure there's any game playing going on, but any school will do what's best for them in terms of notifying applicants.
I know there is a reserve list, maybe there is a different email for those no longer considered?

Rainbow17 · 03/02/2023 08:10

@hampsteadmum do you think I should call them every day or is that going to start annoying them? The latter is of course the last thing I want to do! Or maybe email? They know we would accept immediately if offered.

hampsteadmum · 03/02/2023 08:16

@Rainbow17 Email. Schools hate calls.