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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Waiting list....

115 replies

Tiasmummy · 25/03/2015 11:14

I was just wondering how often I can phone / email to check on a school waiting list ...without seeming neurotic...which I am about schools as every parent is! lol! But I don't want to appear that way obviously :-)

My daughter is 9th place on a waiting list which I last checked a week ago...is too much to check again now? How often do you think is acceptable?

Thanks in advance :-)

OP posts:
smellylittleorange · 31/03/2015 16:59

I know that now I had made enquiries before but do feel as if the wool has been pulled over my eyes a bit . the school are obviously making predictions based on what happened previously when they raise their PAN - they always take about 40 percent out of catchment - guess they are worried about their numbers + marketing ploy??!. Lesson has been learned though

tiggytape · 31/03/2015 17:17

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LittleFluffyMoo · 07/04/2015 16:17

Has anyone seen any movement on the waiting lists? We haven't had any for about a week and a half, is this because the schools are closed?

Ludways · 07/04/2015 16:24

I ds got in on waiting lists as soon as the appeals started which is very soon. We found out 4 days before our appeal.

cece · 10/04/2015 13:00

We have had an offer letter arrive this morning. Dated 9th April. I am delighted. DS1 has cried though. Sad

I hope he is just sad because off the change (he doesn't cope well with change) and that he still wants to go to choice no. 1! Sigh.

I wonder if he is wobbling whether I could take him for a visit? Do you think they would let me?

tiggytape · 10/04/2015 14:10

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cece · 10/04/2015 14:26

My DD already attends the 2nd option school so I am familiar with it (and very happy with it for her). DS1 is a different character and I think the 1st choice school would suit him better. However, tbh if he really is set on going to the 2nd choice then (although disappointed) it won't be the end of the world.

I think the main issue for him is that none of his primary school friends will be going to 1st choice. Although some of his rugby friends will be going. Most of his school friends will be going to the second choice school.

tiggytape · 10/04/2015 15:09

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cece · 10/04/2015 16:10

I agree with you about the friendship thing. Now to convince ds1 Smile

smellylittleorange · 16/04/2015 20:41

Any news anyone? Down to 8th place ...our area goes back next week so hoping for more movement then... have you made a decision yet Cece ?

Callmesausage · 16/04/2015 21:24

We had an offer yesterday. My two were 3 and 4 on the list Tuesday, so lots of movement after the schools have gone back this week. Good luck with the wait.

LittleFluffyMoo · 17/04/2015 11:56

We went up one over the holidays, but hopefully it'll start moving a bit more now!

smellylittleorange · 17/04/2015 19:53

Great news sausage hope you have a happy household now! Littlefluffymoo I meant up to 8th...fingers crossed and everything else for next week x

LittleFluffyMoo · 17/04/2015 20:54

And for you too slo! Smile

smellylittleorange · 23/04/2015 20:30

Moved up one place this week Smile

LittleFluffyMoo · 24/04/2015 00:08

Good news smellylittleorange! Still no movement on ours (three weeks now) but hopefully soon!

itsveryyou · 24/04/2015 00:18

I think unless people have been in this position, it's so hard to understand just how stressful it is. I don't think weekly calls are over the top, you are being diligent and keeping on top of things, which you absolutely have to do as no one will do it for you when it comes to admissions. Unfortunately, emails can often be misinterpreted, or written in a rush which can come across as snippy. I would've taken it the same way you did, in the circumstances, even though my 'sensible' head would be telling me to let it go. I hope you get your place sorted soon.

prh47bridge · 24/04/2015 07:37

I have been in this position. I know what it is like. I also know what it feels like to be told that your child has gone down the waiting list due to late applications.

Ring weekly if you want to. But remember that it will make no difference to whether or not you get a place nor is it likely to make an offer come any quicker.

Original poster
Tiasmummy · 24/04/2015 12:03

Itsveryyou - thank you. Glad you can see where I am coming from. My daughter is still 9th so I think now we just have to hope for the best at appeal x

Phr47bridge - yes I am dreading the very real possibility that my daughter may also go down the waiting list too :-/ I definitely realise they emailing / ringing will not result in a change to her position. It's just a case of wanting to know if her position has changed that all :-)

OP posts:
itsveryyou · 24/04/2015 21:01

Hi tias we're appealing for a high school place, if you come to that stage, there's a really good book which I would recommend trying to get your hands on, called 'how to win your school appeal' by Ben Rooney; we found it invaluable in helping us shape the written appeal. Also, advice and support from the experts on here has been brilliant, they are really generous with their time and insight, which means a lot when you're in our positions. Even if we're not successful, I know I did everything I could.

Original poster
Tiasmummy · 24/04/2015 22:41

Itsveryyou - Thats exactly the same thing I have been saying to family and friends! We will try our very best at appeal and whatever the outcome we know we have tried the best we possibly could to get our daughter into our preferred school.

Yes there are some wonderfully knowledgeable people on here . Phr47bridge has been incredibly helpful and has given me fantastic advice. I really appreciate it :-) Tiggytape is also simply brilliant :-)

OP posts:
smellylittleorange · 13/05/2015 22:18

Any movement Tiasmummy ?? I'm prepping for appeal :-/

Original poster
Tiasmummy · 14/05/2015 10:48

Hi SmellyLittleOrange :-) I last checked my daughters place on 20th April and there had been no movement.....and to be honest I am a bit wary about asking again because of the response I first got :-/ We are also on the waiting list for another school where my daughter has gone from 76th to...wait for it....61st....so safe to say we are not holding out much hope for a waiting list place for that one :-)

We have appeals for both schools, the first appeal being next Tuesday and the second will be sometime in June.

What about you? Any news? x

OP posts:
Miele72 · 14/05/2015 12:45

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smellylittleorange · 14/05/2015 12:47

A bit better news here is that we are now 5 th ! DH quite rightly pointed out that most people will be having their appeals before us so hopefully that will free up some space. still think I put a hex on this whole thing by buying the Rugby socks early