Anyone else anxious about tomorrow's primary school admissions email in London?

Alicexo · 2026-04-15T13:50:25+00:00

Is anyone else a nervous wreck for the primary school admissions email to come out tomorrow, 16th April 2026? I’ve been a mess all day!!! Has anyone applied for schools in London?

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pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 15:04

Yes very anxious and we are in London too. It’s all I can think about!! I really have no idea which school he will get out of the 5 I applied for. Also a mess😂

Sloupes · 15/04/2026 15:06

I'm not in London but as a message of hope, my friend there got her fifth choice last year and then was offered first choice a couple of months later! I was quite amazed. She said there was a lot of movement on London waiting lists.

DestituteDesperate · 15/04/2026 15:09

London too.

I was told they’ll be after 5pm on Thursday as well so it’s going to be an awfully long wait tomorrow, when you factor in work, preschool pick up for 6 and then the bus journey home.

I’m going to order a take away tomorrow to either celebrate or commiserate.

I’m hoping for our second choice which is in theory closer, I just went for the first choice on ofstead outstanding and realised the commute and school ethos doesn’t match as well as the second choice which is only rated good but an easier commute and very strong pastoral support

DestituteDesperate · 15/04/2026 15:09

Sloupes · 15/04/2026 15:06

I'm not in London but as a message of hope, my friend there got her fifth choice last year and then was offered first choice a couple of months later! I was quite amazed. She said there was a lot of movement on London waiting lists.

Amazing to hear but was her 5th choice closer in distance?

Thisoneorthatone · 15/04/2026 16:01

Just to save a long wait, don’t wait for the email - sometimes the email won’t come until 10/11pm. But the results are on eadmissions at 5pm so log in and check on there :)

blueberrymatcha · 15/04/2026 16:07

Here’s a hopeful story. My neighbour (we are in SW London) got an offer for her 2nd choice school, accepted it, and got on the waitlist for her first choice school. First choice school is not only highly-oversubscribed, but also among the (if not the) top-performing schools in RBKC.

Six (SIX!) days before the start of first day of Reception, she got a call from 1st choice school saying a place opened up for her.

She took the place, naturally. But not before nearly 5 months of getting used to the idea that it was the 2nd choice school for her child.

I’m going to keep this story of hope in my pocket for if I don’t get my first choice of school!

MsMoneyPennie · 15/04/2026 16:13

Yes, also London and our LA don't release until late. I'll still be checking the portal throughout the day..

Shuffletoesxtreme · 15/04/2026 16:17

We got a randomly assigned school last year as no offers from any of our six choices but then got first choice two days after reception started.., (so had to ditch a whole set of uniform that had been worn for 2 days…)

pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 16:41

@Shuffletoesxtreme oh wow, what area if you don’t mind me asking? I feel like this could easily happen to me based on what I’ve heard from neighbours etc

Sloupes · 15/04/2026 16:59

DestituteDesperate · 15/04/2026 15:09

Amazing to hear but was her 5th choice closer in distance?

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Don't know, sorry.

Original poster

Alicexo · 15/04/2026 17:15

Wow it’s great to know I’m not alone. I’m such a freak I’ve been checking the portal today just in case 😂 I’ve only put 4 schools down. Our first choice is one that’s closest and we’re in the catchment but it’s over subscribed so who knows. I just don’t want our 3rd choice, it’s far away from us so I’m hoping we don’t get it!! Our second choice were just in the catchment but I’ve been reading so many comments from previous years and it’s just so unpredictable!!! Apparently some results come out just after 12am on the portal so I might have a cheeky look!

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Original poster

Alicexo · 15/04/2026 17:17

DestituteDesperate · 15/04/2026 15:09

London too.

I was told they’ll be after 5pm on Thursday as well so it’s going to be an awfully long wait tomorrow, when you factor in work, preschool pick up for 6 and then the bus journey home.

I’m going to order a take away tomorrow to either celebrate or commiserate.

I’m hoping for our second choice which is in theory closer, I just went for the first choice on ofstead outstanding and realised the commute and school ethos doesn’t match as well as the second choice which is only rated good but an easier commute and very strong pastoral support

Oh yes a takeaway and a very large glass of wine, whatever the outcome!!

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Original poster

Alicexo · 15/04/2026 17:27

pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 15:04

Yes very anxious and we are in London too. It’s all I can think about!! I really have no idea which school he will get out of the 5 I applied for. Also a mess😂

I’ve been googling chances and past stories all day, not sure I’ll be getting much sleep tonight!!

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Original poster

Alicexo · 15/04/2026 17:29

blueberrymatcha · 15/04/2026 16:07

Here’s a hopeful story. My neighbour (we are in SW London) got an offer for her 2nd choice school, accepted it, and got on the waitlist for her first choice school. First choice school is not only highly-oversubscribed, but also among the (if not the) top-performing schools in RBKC.

Six (SIX!) days before the start of first day of Reception, she got a call from 1st choice school saying a place opened up for her.

She took the place, naturally. But not before nearly 5 months of getting used to the idea that it was the 2nd choice school for her child.

I’m going to keep this story of hope in my pocket for if I don’t get my first choice of school!

Edited

Wow thank you! This is very promising

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pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 18:07

@Alicexo ive been checking today too 🤣 so funny. I just had to clean my flat to distract myself for a while. Im convinced Im gonna get our 5th choice which I really don’t want. Not even sure why I put it down really, I panicked I think. But it’s the least oversubscribed out of all of them

Original poster

Alicexo · 15/04/2026 18:14

pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 18:07

@Alicexo ive been checking today too 🤣 so funny. I just had to clean my flat to distract myself for a while. Im convinced Im gonna get our 5th choice which I really don’t want. Not even sure why I put it down really, I panicked I think. But it’s the least oversubscribed out of all of them

Ha, im glad I’m not alone! I actually just checked it again! I’m really regretting my 3rd choice. I think I was like you and just panicked. The school doesn’t open until 9am and breakfast club starts at 8am. I have to be at work by 8.15am!!! I’m really panicking I’ll get that school, but we physically can not go to that school!! I’m a complete panicking mess

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pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 18:25

I really hope you get your first choice!! I think if you’re really close you should be fine. It’s so stressful isn’t it. My neighbours last year got offered one so far away and then got a closer one via waiting list in August. I feel like that would just stress me out so much, waiting and not knowing and being able to plan. I just seem to live in a weird place where we’re not really in catchment for any school!

Original poster

Alicexo · 15/04/2026 18:30

pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 18:25

I really hope you get your first choice!! I think if you’re really close you should be fine. It’s so stressful isn’t it. My neighbours last year got offered one so far away and then got a closer one via waiting list in August. I feel like that would just stress me out so much, waiting and not knowing and being able to plan. I just seem to live in a weird place where we’re not really in catchment for any school!

I wouldn’t say my first 2 choices are actually very close, the first one is a 10 min walk and the other one is about 15 mins but that’s all I’ve got that’s close to me! We’re in a weird place as well, in the catchment but deffo not the closest to the school. Keep me updated love, we’re in this together!!

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pinkkingfisher · 15/04/2026 18:32

@Alicexo ah okay. My first choice is a 23 min walk 😣 feel like Ive got no chance. Tbh the only one closer was 17 mins. Yes I’ll keep you updated - sending positive thoughts 🥰

Sunnyshoeshine · 15/04/2026 18:42

We live in Merton and were applying last year. If its any comfort, every primary school bar 2 still have spaces even now in reception. Schools that previously had very long waiting lists, have spaces this year. Don't underestimate of combination of those leaving London and the falling birth rate. My DD's school has had quite a bit of movement in her class during the first autumn term as well.

ChocHotolate · 15/04/2026 18:43

Pan London results are released at 5pm, never any earlier. It’s a horrible wait all day - reading all the threads on Mumsnet etc as some places releases places just after midnight, some at 9am etc
I’ll keep fingers crossed for anyone waiting.

Original poster

Alicexo · 15/04/2026 19:01

Sunnyshoeshine · 15/04/2026 18:42

We live in Merton and were applying last year. If its any comfort, every primary school bar 2 still have spaces even now in reception. Schools that previously had very long waiting lists, have spaces this year. Don't underestimate of combination of those leaving London and the falling birth rate. My DD's school has had quite a bit of movement in her class during the first autumn term as well.

That’s really promising. Thank you so much for this

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WildDenimDuck · 15/04/2026 19:12

I had an unofficial confirmation when my youngest magically appeared on the schools app yesterday. Not sure how long the schools have known but clearly getting ahead with any paperwork they’ve got to do!
Obviously a sibling so will definitely get a spot anyway, but will be nice to have an official confirmation.

helpme402 · 15/04/2026 19:19

I'm super nervous too! My first choice school isn't my closest and is actually out of borough. Although we're still in the catchment area and meet all the criteria. It far surpasses all the other local schools and is the best in both boroughs. I didn't realise the results come out at 5pm!! oh gosh going to be a nervous wreck all day.

DestituteDesperate · 15/04/2026 19:26

So the other MNers who said the portal was update after midnight were not London based?

I’ll not bother having a cheeky check at midnight then.