How Long Is A Waiting List?

[Ely2010]

Hi

My daughter starts reception in September at our second choice school. We have her on the waiting list for our first choice school and today I found out that she is 4th on the list. The intake for the school is 60. So this is my dilema - We are being heavily pressured by the 2nd choice school (the one she is currently starting in sept) to buy uniforms, bags etc etc asap.

Some of my friends have said that being 4th on the list there is a decent chance she may get a place before september... With finances are they are, I really can't afford to buy two sets of uniform but we really want the first choice school if we can get in!

Does anyone have any advice?? Is 4th place likely to have her in before september??

Thank you!! xx

I don't think anyone can really answer that. Idepends a lot on your area. Do people tend to move a lot or are they people who have always lived there and are unlikely to move? Is there likely to be a proportion of parents who are hanging on to a place but are intending to send their children to private schools anyway? Round here I would say 4th place is quite likely to get in, but it may not be the case where you are....
Can you not buy the bare minimum of specific uniform for the school you've been offered? Would white polo shirts and grey pinafore/skirt not work for both? Good luck with getting the place you want!

We are in the same position as you - we have place at 2nd choice school but on waiting list for 1st choice (although we're no.1) we were bottom of the list (no.12) until we moved a few weeks ago. Previous area - waiting list had 26 on it . Problem is you can't predict how its all going to go!
We're planning on staying on waiting list until she gets a place - even it means she starts at the other school. School admissions lady said that the waiting list normally disappears at the start of term and spaces become available as some pupils just don't turn up.
My plan is that I'm going to buy basic uniform that is common so white polos, grey pinafore etc and then buy a couple of the mega cheap jumpers from asda/tesco in current school colours. Will probably also buy book bag for current school as its only a couple of quid. Then when we get in into preferred school because we WILL get in I just have to buy their school colours..
Not sure if thats any help...

Anything you buy from the shops then keep the receipts for and you can exchange it if you get the chance for the school change. Do they have much stuff bought from the school directly with the logo on? School bags etc at most places are not compulsory to be ones with the logo on. You could always get one or two bits from school if that is the only source and then get more in September if you find you have to stick with this school.

It's got nothing to do with them when you buy your uniform! I'd buy it as late as possible. Can you get it in many places or are they trying to force you to go to their outlet?

Buy the uniform at end August and keep receipts until she wears it - I know someone who was called a couple of days into term as someone didn't show up. Two years ago i was called mid July as a reception place came up at my first choice school.

WWYD if a place can up at Christmas time?