Do the schools ever find out where you put them on the CAF list

[dorisbumble]

Hi filling in the CAF today and totally panicked. Is it only if you have to appeal that they see the CAF? Do they actually see the form at this stage?

Schools do give out odd messages though. There was a thread a couple of weeks ago about a school that said it intended to admit based on being first choice. It says so on it's website : "If you are intending to apply for a place at this school for September 2014, you should note that the School has the intention of admitting all applications where the School is placed as first choice." Is this possible?? It's here

No it is not possible. I thought they had removed that statement from their website. I am disappointed to see that it is back. They should be referred to the Schools Adjudicator.

Ive had the same concern and spoke to an official last month for clarification. In our area each school received a list of pupils who put the school as an option. The school have no idea if its a first or last or middle preference. The school put all the children into a rank of entitlement, they then let the LEA allocate places.

Schools probably want you to put them as first choice as you are more likely (our area anyway) to get your first option.

Nationally around 85% of parents receive an offer from their first choice secondary school. That is probably a factor in the continued belief by many parents that first preferences are admitted first.

Unfortunately this misleads some parents every year into putting the local school they don't like as their first preference ahead of the school they really want, thereby pretty much guaranteeing that they won't get their preferred school.

Do we have any parents in Wiltshire willing to report RWBA to the Schools Adjudicator? They really shouldn't be making that sort of statement on their website.

Anyone can fill in an Objection Form on the Schools Adjudicator website, can't they?

Thanks tiggy. Think we are OK actually, ds just had a sudden urge towards the one 20 minutes away at the last minute but he'd been thrilled by the other one when he saw that.

Blu - They can but I suspect from the form that they may pay more attention if it comes from a local parent. Nonetheless I'd do it myself but I don't have time at the moment.