SW/W London Independent Schools thread part two

[Chillaxalready]

There. I've done it and started one.
1001 messages and counting!

Sitting here trying to decide if I should accept JAGS offer. We got our second choice state (Grey Coats hospital). Amazing school on paper and I really liked it, but my DD wanted Graveney and she would rather go to JAGS rather than Grey Coats. TBH we only applied to the independents in case we didn't get a good state. And we have one now and could remain on the waiting list for Graveney. Do I pay the £1000 acceptance for JAGS and then take my chances for Graveney to come up. Or just be happy with Grey Coats, not accept JAGS and still take my chances. It seems to me JAGS and Grey Coats are interchangeable.

Pleased for you Elibean. Hard for your DD when friends are having a tough time.

Nothing to say yet. Whs said to call tomorrow. Will keep you posted. Xx

Thanks, wheresthebeach. I've had a flood of distraught texts from mums of dd's friends.
Dh says it was on the news, that fewer kids than ever got 1st choice schools. Only 55% in H'smith and Fulham, for example....one being dd's pal who lives 5 mins walk from West London but got offered Chelsea and Hurlingham.
I hope all the disappointed SW13 girls who wanted RPA get it on wait lists - we used to be a feeder school!!

Choc finger, happy for your dd

'We were told Emanuel wouldn't move til after 5th...'

5th is deadline day for those with Emanuel offers. But I heard that they were hoping some of their current offer-holders will reject them, as numbers were rather high with a week to go.

But actual place movement for all schools will really get going tomorrow, now that state offers are out.

Have any schools offered from their wait lists already?

Our first state choice was also SRR and would have been delighted if we had received it and def. would have gone for it. We know some lovely young boys and girls that go there and have nothing but positive comments and love for the school - going to phone them up this morning to see where we are on the WL. Yet another WL :(

A feeder school Eilbean...that's shocking. We were really surprised and disappointed but knew we were on outskirts and thought we'd squeeze in this year.

Argh AnotherNewt - really? I'm hoping for the same movement on the list as last year...DD needs that to get an offer. Sounds like it may not happen.

Does anyone know how Emanuel contact about wait lists? Do they email, phone or post a letter?

notenoughsleepmum - unless fees are no object or it's a stupid journey to Grey Coats, I would take Grey Coats. Can't you still remain on the wl for Graveney then? If fees are no problem and your dd likes Jags, then go for Jags.

Thanks Elibean, feel very lucky indeed to have two choices we are happy with. I am staring at my comparison list of SRR and KGS and making no progress!
Have you made your decision now?

We are still waiting for LEH's wl to move. This is DD's top choice. Does anybody know if there are/will be declines after last night's state result? Shall I call the school now or wait until this afternoon? Don't want to call them too many times.

Another Newt

If you're talking independent, we got a call this morning from a school where we were wait-listed and didn't expect to hear that soon. So they have started to move - and suggests they really move after deadlines expire. It has complicated things a little - we had almost decided in expectation they wouldn't call. As regards state, the deadline for our first choice - Tiffin - is March 16. I expect things will move there once that deadline expires. Don't know if all that's any help.

LEH juniors will no doubt lose a number of girls to Tiffin , happens every year. That might free up some of the junior move up spaces. Though admissions may already have covered the expected slide with initial over offering?

emptycoffeepot - are we allowed to ask what Indepnedent called? Is it the one we are waiting for - KGS?

My DS was on the wait list at an independent (Halliford) and was offered a place first thing this morning.

Their original post-entrance assessment letter said that their deadline for families accepting or declining offers was 2 March, and they were actually trying to contact us late yesterday afternoon, but like a previous poster I wasn't expecting to hear anything this early! So they were clearly getting to work on their wait list literally the minute their offer deadline had passed.

Good luck to anyone waiting on wait lists for schools, it's such a stressful process!

Not KGS. Their deadline is March 5.

Thanks emptycoffeepot - Wishful thinking on my part

areyoutheregoditsmemargaret: Thank you. Sometimes just need to hear someone else say it.

We were offered a place by LEH this afternoon and I am over the moon for my DD. I Turned down immediately another good indie whose deadline is tomorrow at noon. The school called and emailed me a couple of times already both yesterday and today as they have received many inquiries from anxious parents whose DDs are on the wl. Best of luck to those who are still waiting. There is hope!

Many congrats to your dd BusyMum70. Our family is delighted with the school.

Whs are full for year 7. Not using Wl at all.

Out of curiosity - if offered a wait list do you have to answer right then and there?

Wow over WHS...is that the norm or did more accept than they expected?

Crikey about WHS! There's always the possibility of movement further down the line with any luck as the other places elsewhere shake down

You are expected to reply verbally to a waiting list offer asap and the paperwork is sent immediately if you say yes, with a day or so to return it. It's only fair really as they need to fill the spaces as soon as possible and not keep people dangling.

Chocfinger yes, dd chose Kew House and is thrilled. I hope one of her friends gets her rejected (this morning) RPA place, as they are distraught.

Wheresthebeach I think we were almost at the limit of the area that RPA offered to - friends a few roads away did not get it. North Barnes, due to the geography of the borough, is not in catchment for any local school now - a real problem, for the first time this year (as RPA and others now so oversubbed), and the Head and Govs as well as parents are writing letters to Admissions to address this not just for now but for years ahead.

In our area, there are bound to be a lot of people putting RPA first choice who actually plan on indie schools so hopefully - hopefully - the waiting list will move fast for all dd's friends.

Congrats to all those who have their plans made! I'm still tightly crossing paws for a friend's ds who is on wait list for a couple of the schools mentioned...