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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Waiting List Agony

22 replies

HelenParrToo · 26/02/2011 08:35

Hi.
This is my first posting to Mumsnet because I'm hoping the collective wisdom of the board will be able to help me.

Does anyone have any experience with independent school waiting lists? My child has been placed on two (terrible luck), including at our top choice school. How often do schools draw from these lists?

They said they will let us know at the end of this coming week after the state sector makes their offers, and presumably they'll know what the take up is.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what we could do in the meantime to move up the list? Would any of the following help: additional recommendation from head? recommendation from very successful former pupil? promise to pay tuition bills up front (we've been saving for the last several years for this school). I'll do anything to help my child get in there, but I also don't want to become a nusiance for the registrar.

Thanks in advance for your help.

OP posts:

Ladymuck · 26/02/2011 10:27

Is your child at prep school or state school? Does your headmaster have a relationship with the head of your first choice school? If so have a chat with your head - he ought to be able to help.

The former pupil/ upfront fees don't sound helpful BUT I would phone soon and make it clear to your first choice school that they are your first choice, and that you would definitely take a place if offered. I would also phone the day after state offer day to reiterate. This is one occasion where it is helpful if the registrar remembers your name. Are you near a grammar school area?

Dozer · 26/02/2011 10:49

There might be some useful advice on the elevenplus forum website. Hope something good comes through for your dc.

crazycarol · 26/02/2011 11:17

Very often kids (or their parents!) will apply for more than one school, and often they will be successful in securing places at more than one school. As the parents review & reject the place(s) they don't intend to use, places will become available to waiting list applicants. It is almost a certainty that some places will become available particularly if parents are using it as a second option to grammar school. I am not sure how you can improve your place on the list though. Was your first choice school selective by entrance exam?

DD applied to 3 schools, we got one place, one waiting list place & one "no". The no was a mistake on our part, had we known how few places were available and how many applicants we wouldn't have bothered. The waiting list place became a confirmed place within 10 days but dd had already decided that she wanted the school who made the first offer so went with that one.

firmbeliever · 26/02/2011 11:59

Hi HelenParrToo

I'm in exactly the same position. I have been advised by my DS's head to ring after half term to see what the chances are of an offer are then. I am exploring the prep school route and have made appointments to see other schools that still have vacancies.

firmbeliever · 01/03/2011 18:31

still waiting anyone else in this position?

Original poster

HelenParrToo · 02/03/2011 07:54

We're still waiting too. However, I've had several positive conversations and e-mails with the school in question, so we're keeping our fingers crossed.

@crazycarol: Yes, our first choice was selective by entrance exam. (It's very competitive to get in.) The school has since told me that DC did very well in interview and had a fantastic recommendation, but exam results weren't as good as those who got firm offers. But I've since sent them DC current levels at school, and they said it would appear that DC didn't do itself justice in the exam.

It's the waiting that's killing me, honestly.

OP posts:

Nickmom · 02/03/2011 08:25

Just remember......it is not a no. Keep talking to them. Write them letters telling them why you want the school and detailing your DC's ability. I have found the registrars at most school to be lovely understanding people who understand your stress and will not make you feel like a fool or a pest for calling. (I hope you have the same experience!) Just about every school entry my DD's have had has been off the waiting lists. I should also add that when they get to the school.......they have never been at the bottom of the class!!

Good Luck. I think that the day when you get the offer is even more exciting when you have been in waiting list agony!!!! I am routing for you.

janinlondon · 02/03/2011 09:45

HPToo, our (prep) school has just asked us all to send back our declines (a week or two before we really need to) to allow some movement on the lists - could you ask your current school to ask parents to do the same?

Original poster

HelenParrToo · 02/03/2011 16:33

@janinlondon: The school could not be nicer to us. I've spoken to several people who have been very encouraging. I'm not waiting for a call from the head of year who said he'd call this afternoon to let us know the current status.

Fingers (and all other appendages) crossed!

OP posts:

belledechocchipcookie · 02/03/2011 16:39

It's standard here for parents to apply for places at a few private secondaries as well as the 'good' state secondary as they use the private as a back up. Be patient, I know it's stressful. Fingers crossed for you all though.

nlondondad · 02/03/2011 22:49

Independent schools do not have an effective clearing house mechanism; as they can only offer in the first round a number of offers no greater than the number of places they actually have they will always have a number of second round offers - and some of those will go to people who have accepted an offer elsewhere and so are no longer interested.

As a matter of mere arithmetic there will be lots of movement on waiting lists...

Foxton · 05/03/2011 15:37

Has anyone had any news yet?

Caoimhe · 05/03/2011 15:49

Sorry nlondondad but that is not true - lots of private schools over offer in the first round and it is not unusual for them to not go to the waiting list at all. That is how they end up with "bulge" classes if they have more acceptances than expected.

harrassedswlondonmum · 05/03/2011 16:37

Agreed Caoimhe - this happened at my daughter's school - not enough people declined the offer and so her year has an extra form. It happens quite often in different schools round here.

The extent to which schools over offer presumably depends where they are in the local pecking order, ie some know that relatively few will turn them down whereas others know that lots will.

firmbeliever · 07/03/2011 20:05

Yesss! offer of place today!!!
All the best to those still waiting

Nickmom · 07/03/2011 22:02

Cograts! Here is hoping your luck extends to all the mumnet contributors. I noticed on other posts that good news can be quite contagious.

firmbeliever · 09/03/2011 08:31

I thought I'd post some words of encouragement to those still waiting .......

Even when you are told the school has over offered and they will not be going to their waiting list, do not give up. this was my case. After all someone offered will have declined a place and your DC will fill that place very nicely.

Headteacher's support at this stage is pivotal. They can open that closed door!

Original poster

HelenParrToo · 12/04/2011 20:50

Unfortunately, the answer for us in early March was a no. The school (highly selective inner London school) never went to the waiting list. We told them we would gladly take a place even if it was the day before school starts.

Has anyone had any experience of this happening? I had a friend whose son got off the state grammar school list the day before school started, but I've never heard of it happening with the private schools.

Any thoughts or words of encouragement welcome.

OP posts:

firmbeliever · 13/04/2011 18:54

My DS2 was on the waiting list for a academically selective london school and in my efforts to secure him a place I was told by the admissions personel it has been known for some parents who have already paid deposits for indies to secure a place at a grammar school at the last minute. They are prepared to give up the indie + deposit and a terms fees as afterall they are making a huge saving in the long term.
All the best

Silverstreet · 13/04/2011 21:37

There are also sometimes places after term starts - children who do not settle at new school sometimes move in the first term, so worth staying in touch with both schools even after September. I know of one parent who turned down a place after accepting and paying the deposit as firmbeliever says, plus another who has moved after child didn't settle. So still some hope.

cwazycaz · 19/06/2011 20:41

Just picking up on this threat! Struggling with waiting list agony too! DC on waiting list for oversubscribed school! Other DC's in school getting ready for induction day and feeling really sad! Wish I appealed but had no other reasons despite living in catchment area!

Nickmom · 09/11/2011 13:59

HPT did you ever get the good news?

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