Primary School waiting lists, Any positive stories?

[Modernfamily2011]

Does anyone have any positive stories about the primary school waiting lists? We were offered our 3rd choice in April and have missed out today on the continual interest list and we are devastated….
I’m not sure where we are on the waiting list as yet although i’m not entirely sure that matters as you can move up and down frequently
Our devastation is mainly due to the fact that we were told by the school that we would have no issues getting a place!! We are 1.9km from the school and currently the furthest child offered a place is 1.19km whereas in previous years gone by it’s been between 4.5 and 5km
Our child is the only child (that we know of) to not get a place out of his class in nursery..
I’m not sure whether we have been very unlucky and to try and be positive or just accept that we might not get a place
Does anyone have any good news stories on waiting lists?

We were on the waiting list for a 15 intake village school.
in the end 3 children from the waiting list got in!

There usually is a bit of movement during the first year or so at schools, so you may get offered a place somewhere down the line, but I wouldn't count on it. My DD is in year 3, and I think about 6 children have moved since reception, which has opened up spaces for kids who were on the waiting list for her cohort. Dc2 is in year one, and 3 children have moved since reception. But I'm not sure any children in the year 2 class have moved since they started, so it is just the luck of the draw. Make sure you stay on the waiting list for your preferred school, but also remember that your child may settle well in the school they've been allocated and may be reluctant to move if they enjoy it there.

@Iguanainanigloo - thank you for the advice

@wantspringnow - wow!! Amazing!

I got the phone call from choice 1 the day before September term started. Happy doesn’t begin to describe it.

We got our third choice initially. Got a place at our preferred school in Year 3 summer term. But we didn't take it because we were settled by then at the other school.

Sorry op sometimes waiting lists just don't move especially if the school has a good reputation. Dgs2 (Unbaptised at the time of application) would have got into the same faith school as his brother every other year apart from Sept 21. He was Baptised in May 21 and was offered a place at a different Catholic school as he moved to the top of the waiting list. He is still top of the waiting list at his brother's school as at end of April '23. He is very happy and settled and doing well but his school has recently dropped to 'requires improvement'. Dgs1 school is still outstanding and a child in his class with a sibling in Yr 1 is leaving when the family's house sale goes through so Dgs2 would probably be offered that place. My dd will have a dilemma and I am keeping out of it and will only comment if asked!

Update: Just wanted to give an update on my original post for anyone who is interested later down the line
we got offered a space at our first choice at the end of June… it was just before the settling sessions started so we are very happy! I had given up hope and had filled in all the paperwork for our 3rd choice…
the call came completely out of the blue so there is always hope!

This is incorrect. State faith schools may have different admissions criteria, but parents still apply via their local authority, and one school is offered on offers day. Nobody is offered more than one state school. You can then go on a waiting list and may be offered a different school at a later date.

glad it worked out ok OP.