School allocations coming up!

[Inyournewdress]

I was wondering how everyone is feeling about the upcoming allocations next week, and if anyone has any intelligence about how this year looks?

From what I have heard from a couple of friends who work at primaries, applications were way down which could bode well for some of us. But so many local factors!

Very surprised to have been allocated our first choice here! I thought we might be out of catchment. Child started at the pre-school attached to a local prep in September as a sort of insurance plan in case we didn't get a decent state option as we are just at the edge of several primary catchment areas. In hindsight this was probably a daft idea as now feel torn about whether to pull them out (and save loads of money) given that they are settled - appreciate that this is a "nice" problem to have, but still. Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting for updates.

I’m another south London borough with some teeny last distance accepted areas (we don’t have catchment schools here) so feeling quite nervous about what we’ll get. Almost everyone we know at our nursery and around has put the same school as their first choice and we’re def one of the furthest away so I’m really hoping for the waiting list to come up trumps, tbh as we know from previous years there seems to be loads of movement. I guess there are way more people than I realise that do go private? Or move. But we think our third choice should take us as it’s not as popular round here.

Anyone in London heard yet?

Not heard yet! Another South London borough here. Just been on to the portal and no details. I'm less nervous this time round as I've a dd already attending, but you just never know!

@SugarSW7 you’ll be fine, surely!

Still nothing in London!!

Merton results are on the portal now. We got our first choice but that was expected as we went for a relatively local school and we were not at all impressed with the nearest oversubscribed / outstanding school so that took the pressure off us a little anyway.

got our second choice (London)

@sarahb083 you happy with that? Expected?

Southwark is up! Quite surprised as we got our second place, but first is closer... If we still want to hold on for clearing, what do we need to do?

@Emilienne no, I’m really disappointed!

@sarahb083 oh no. I am not expecting first choice as based on the last few years of data we have been metres out the catchment

Yes, I had hoped! I just wasn't sure if we may have been frog leaped due to distance + siblings as it's a one form entry. We don't live the closest. I also (foolishly, I'll admit) didn't state any other preferences as it just wouldn't have been practical to take them to different schools. I have seen that sometimes even siblings don't get a place, so I couldn't bank on it. But yes, she's in. I hope everyone else is happy with their allocations.

https://services.southwark.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/primary-admissions/offer-of-a-primary-school-place?chapter=2

Ok, great info, thank you. He's 3rd in line at our preferred school, so I think that bodes well!

We're gutted and have been allocated our sixth preference - a school we only really put to fill the box. We will sit on waiting lists but know they're a slim chance.

South London borough! Got our first choice but was 80% confident as it’s fairly close distance wise. Sorry for anyone disappointed

Wow, I'm sorry you're in that situation. It's really not what could be considered a choice when it's number 6 on the list. It shows how area dependent it is - we are only able to list 3 choices.

We are not happy as have been allocated third choice and it really was not one we liked.

That sounds very hopeful. How did you find out the placement?

@Inyournewdress - to find out where you are on the list, you can call the Admissions team and they will tell you

@Inyournewdress @mumwithallthebooks - I was in your position 2 years ago and honestly, it was so stressful! I fully understand your worry
I have a positive story though! Our school had 25 siblings that year and we didn’t get in on the 1st or 2nd waitlist run
We got our place in July along with another 4 kids! We were also well within catchment
Try not to worry or also worry about where you are on the list as that can also change, there is so much movement between now and September
I’m sure you will get a place 😊

We got our first choice, we’re close to it but it is very sought after so I was a little worried we wouldn’t. Good luck everyone!

Got our first. It came through at 1am! We were strategic with our choice as we were not impressed with our only catchment school so chose another in an area quite densely populated with primary schools and has 60% out of catchment admissions. It’s a lovely school and a feeder for a competitive secondary nearby.

Sorry to hear that. How many places are there at your first and second choice schools? Definitely find out your child's position on the waiting list for both schools.