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

[Alicexo]

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?

They would have been based elsewhere. London and Surrey are always 5pm, and it's quickest to log onto the portal, although it can take a while to log in dead on 5pm when everyone is doing so.

We are getting a junior school place tomorrow, this is our 4th time (2x Reception places, 2x junior places) and we've always had the email some time between 6pm and 8pm. We are guaranteed a place at the juniors (they prioritise kids from the linked infant school) so no anxiety this time, other than the irrational worry I forgot to apply!

Always go on the waiting list if you want a particular school. Things can move right before school starts.

It’s just torture!!

Ahhh good luck everyone! This was me this time last year. I had agonised about the preferences and spent so much time researching schools and doing all the digging. I could have gone on Mastermind with local primaries as my specialist subject.

We got a place at our first choice school. Delighted. It then had an Ofsted inspection after we received the offer - and the report was absolutely awful. We were so upset, and unable to get into any of our other choices before the summer holidays started. It was such an anxious time. Anyway, fast forward to now and my child goes to the first choice rubbish Ofsted school and seems to be doing great in reception. A new head is in place and the school seems to have got its act together. My child is learning loads and had plenty of lovely friends and - above all - is happy.

Meanwhile, a friend of mine moved house to be in the catchment for one of the top performing primary schools in the country. Unfortunately, it’s not been the best fit for her child so far and they’ve had a really challenging year.

I’m not sure what I’m trying to say with this. Other than, even with the most considered school preferences, you can never really know how things will work out. Your first choice may go to seed! The uninspiring fifth choice could end up with a lovely group of children in a class and teachers they really gel with!

I really hope you all get what you’re going for - but I also think things might be better than you expect even if you don’t!

Wow! Thank you so much for this. What a promising message. I know everything will be fine, for all of us! And like you, we will be here this time next year saying ‘why were we worried’! I really appreciate your message x

Ugh I know! Why 5pm?! I’ll be frantic the whole day!!

I honestly thought about it so much and analysed everything. But no amount of stats and visits and hearsay and Ofsted reports and SATS scores and “vibes” can really tell you how your child will get on! So much of that will be about things that you can’t control for, even with the best will in the world.

(I’d still be fretting though. This is very easy to say with the gift of hindsight! 😂)

I’ve been googling ‘chances of getting into this school’ etc all day. My partner is sick of me at this point! And you’re so right, we can’t control this, what will be will be! But it’s still bloody scary 😂

I’m so nervous! Also in London. My first choice is very oversubscribed. Last year there were 231 applicants for 60 places. I’m within last year’s cut off distance, but I’m still anxious as it all depends on this year’s siblings and distances. The waiting is brutal! Good luck everyone 🥰

Please everyone update us as you know what you get!! Xx

I was very nervous but we got our first choice last year. Good luck everyone.

Love this thread and knowing others are feeling the same. Anxiously waiting here in (SW) London too. We had quite a few schools near us but they are all cutting their rolls due to falling birth rate so although we were in catchment for our top 3 last year who knows with those changes how it will go? Our second choice had 17 out of 30 places go to siblings last year!

Results are out for us. First choice 🥳

Goodluck everyone

Results out online for us, first choice offered so relieved 😅

I don't think the results are showing for me yet. I assume it would say in the application section

Woooo! Congratulations, what a relief for you! Do you mind me asking where you are?

Nothing for me either!

I’m in SE London and same!! A lot of the places went to siblings which is crazy! Good luck today!

I’m going to be refreshing the portal like crazy today 😂

Good luck to you!! X

Been checking portal all night and no emails - so definitely won’t bother looking until after 5pm for NW London.

Long day at work ahead.

I’m SE London too. Gonna be a longggg day

I’m in Blackheath, not sure if you’re near? I’ve already checked the portal a million times. Already been the longest day ever 😂

Our school is very oversubscribed but I know of quite a few parents who braved the waiting list and got in.

@Alicexo oh nice, does Blackheath come under Lewisham? Im in Sydenham so other side of Lewisham