Kids offers 3 months apart

[MillyVannily]

Both my kids are applying to the same private school, but the little one will receive her offer in November with acceptance deadline December, older one Offer in February ... obvious I can't accept before I know eldest will be accepted so I'm not sure what to do.

I will need to talk to the school at some point but has anyone been in this situation and how it was handled? I'm also not still sure we can afford it, hoping for a scholarship but who knows.

Thanks!

This happens quite often.

Talk to the school. They'll understand you position, and will probably extend the earlier acceptance deadline (especially if you indicate that you will definitely be accepting both places if both DC receive offers)

You might not want to do this until you've heard about the first place (counting chickens and all that), but if it's really weighing on your mind I don't think a convo about hypotheticals would be taken amiss.

Demographics and the VAT changes are with you on this - numbers will likely be down especially in the younger age group.

But for heaven's sake, do your projections and do not launch down this route unless you are pretty sure of affordability (especially as scholarships may have very little cash value). One thing to consider is moving only the elder now, and moving the younger when they reach the same age (saves a few years worth on one of them at least)

Thank you @AnotherNewt

Our school acknowledge this issue. So 4+ find out earlier and you can accept the place as normal, but if your other child is sitting 7+ ( or possibly 11+ but not sure) and doesn't get a place you can withdraw the 4+ child and get the deposit back.
Which seems fair as it could affect your final decision if both children don't get a place.