Waiting list for reception

LeonPB · 2025-08-18T12:52:12+00:00

I called Bromley Council today to check our updated waiting list status. To my surprise, our 1st choice position has moved up from 7th in June to 2nd now. I’m not sure how much movement usually happens in September, so part of me feels hopeful, but I also don’t want to be unrealistic. At the same time, I need to sort out uniforms soon, and I’m hesitant to spend on them if there’s still a real chance of getting a place at our preferred school. Has anyone had experience with this kind of situation? How likely is further movement at this stage?

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InMyShowgirlEra · 18/08/2025 14:01

I hate to be negative but I think any more change is unlikely now. Not many parents are going to suddenly change their mind with 2 weeks to go until school starts. Most people will have decided on their plans and confirmed that with the school if they aren't taking the place in June or July. There's always a slim chance that someone has moved abroad or just won't turn up on the first day, but it's unlikely.

Wirdle · 18/08/2025 14:57

As above I'd imagine it's down to those who don't turn up at this point. How many form entry is your preferred school?

I think there's quite a few privates in Bromley isn't there so that could be your hope if people haven't released their state places.

Any cross over on uniform if you get generics rather than branded?

BoleynMemories13 · 18/08/2025 16:55

It depends on the area but, where I am, it's not uncommon for 1 or 2 to simply not turn up in September (we're in an area of high movement, due to lots of social housing and a high population of immigrants). Not everyone engages with transition so there are always a few we haven't met yet or have even been able to contact before September. You end up making a whole set of everything for them with no idea whether they're actually coming. Sometimes they do show up (although sometimes it turns out they're known by something different to the name provided by admissions, so you end up having to redo all the name labels anyway!). Sometimes they just don't turn up as they didn't let us or admissions know they've moved. Admissions only let schools know about changes they are aware of. If admissions aren't even aware (common in cases where someone has left the country), they stay on your roll and are reported as missing in education. They come off when the family have been tracked down by an investigator. This can be a matter of days/weeks, or can be a lot longer.

Basically, don't pin your hopes on it happening soon but don't lose hope either. There could be a space in a matter of weeks if a couple of children don't turn up.

Are the schools different colours, in turns of uniform? Does the allocated school accept plain supermarket jumpers without a logo? If so I'd buy them for now (maybe just 2 for now), as they're not as expensive. At least you won't have wasted as much if you do get a place soon at your first choice and it turns out they are a different colour.

How much do you prefer this school to your allocated school? If your child settles well, it might be worth considering sticking with it anyway if there wasn't much between the two. If there's a big difference though I totally understand you wanting to switch. Hopefully you're not waiting too long for a place, if that's the case.

Original poster

LeonPB · 18/08/2025 17:12

Thank you so much for everyone’s reply.

Our preferred school is two form entry.

The main reason we put it as 1st choice because it just around 0.5 mile from home. However they didn’t offer us in the first place. The 2nd choice school is 1.5 miles away.

To be honest, both are lovely school. 1st choice is smaller scale - Outstanding, 2nd choice is much bigger - Good. These are part of our consideration in first place. However mainly the distance is a concern.

They have different colours of uniforms, but I think I will get minimal of jumpers, and some basics, just in case.

OP posts:

flightissue · 18/08/2025 18:06

The council should be able to tell you if it’s still a possibility

Original poster

LeonPB · 18/08/2025 20:14

flightissue · 18/08/2025 18:06

The council should be able to tell you if it’s still a possibility

I have asked but they said they can’t tell me anything.They advised to buy the basic cross over pieces for uniforms first. For space, It’s limited possibility.

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Roseallday15 · 19/08/2025 07:23

M&S have a 100 day returns policy for uniform so you could buy a few bits in both colours and then return the ones you don’t need in September when it becomes a bit clearer and just only use minimal uniform (if that’s possible with how messy kids get!).

LadyLapsang · 20/08/2025 09:05

Remember your place on the waiting list could fall if there is a late or in-year application from someone with higher priority or if a child is referred from the Fair Access Panel if the LA uses this. Have you considered what you will do if a place becomes available in your first preference school in the first term / first year? Parents who were aiming to move before the start of term, e.g. a house move, may have a delay and also if a child does not turn up at the start of term (e.g. moved abroad) they will try to track them down before offering the place to someone else.

Original poster

LeonPB · 20/08/2025 12:09

Roseallday15 · 19/08/2025 07:23

M&S have a 100 day returns policy for uniform so you could buy a few bits in both colours and then return the ones you don’t need in September when it becomes a bit clearer and just only use minimal uniform (if that’s possible with how messy kids get!).

Thank you, it is also good idea.

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Original poster

LeonPB · 20/08/2025 12:11

LadyLapsang · 20/08/2025 09:05

Remember your place on the waiting list could fall if there is a late or in-year application from someone with higher priority or if a child is referred from the Fair Access Panel if the LA uses this. Have you considered what you will do if a place becomes available in your first preference school in the first term / first year? Parents who were aiming to move before the start of term, e.g. a house move, may have a delay and also if a child does not turn up at the start of term (e.g. moved abroad) they will try to track them down before offering the place to someone else.

This is also something I’m considering now. The school that we accepted now has more activities/clubs. The main reason we still
prefer the 1st choice because of the distance. We’re actually considering to move to closer to the school we accepted now. It was a surprise when we know we’re on 2nd.

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Original poster

LeonPB · 20/08/2025 12:11

LadyLapsang · 20/08/2025 09:05

Remember your place on the waiting list could fall if there is a late or in-year application from someone with higher priority or if a child is referred from the Fair Access Panel if the LA uses this. Have you considered what you will do if a place becomes available in your first preference school in the first term / first year? Parents who were aiming to move before the start of term, e.g. a house move, may have a delay and also if a child does not turn up at the start of term (e.g. moved abroad) they will try to track them down before offering the place to someone else.

This is also something I’m considering now. The school that we accepted now has more activities/clubs. The main reason we still
prefer the 1st choice because of the distance. We’re actually considering to move to closer to the school we accepted now. It was a surprise when we know we’re on 2nd.

OP posts: