Is it too soon to start a 1st March (secondary school allocation day) support thread?

[teddygirlonce]

DD has six good options on her CAF - we will be happy if she gets any of those six but there are no other local schools we would be happy for her to be allocated/offered - and private schooling is not an option.

So just a bit nervous and already counting down the days until we find out which school she's been allocated (if at all).

teddy it's The Guardian this time! I saw on Twitter earlier they were asking for people to contact them with their experiences...presumably no one did so they had to resort to DM tactics and lazy journalism

Thanks for all the reassurances about not knowing anyone - DH and I had already discussed with DD when we were applying so although we are not worried I know she was. The near-tears on the way home was heartbreaking.

So from I have spent the last 5 hours being totally upbeat and celebratory and DD is now 100% enthusiastic and happy. Thank god. I am exhausted with it all and about to collapse on the sofa with

Fortunately about an hour ago I found out one of her other friends (albeit not close, but a lovely girl) is also going to her school. So DD much more relaxed.

Puts her in a good place to face school tomorrow with about 28 others going to the school on our doorstep.

Springs - Just wanted to say that we are in exactly the same position, got our first choice, DD was very happy to go to a school where she wouldn't know anyone at all, forward to today and she's somewhat apprehensive as every other child in her class is going to the local comp.

She's quite shy and doesn't make friends easily, but I'm hoping a fresh start and the opportunity to meet lots of new people will help her get over her lack of confidence and encourage her to make new friends.

We got third choice but will prob appeal. We're in London and at last two people we know were allocated a school off their list totally.

To all those worried about DCs going to schools without friends, DD, who isn't the most sociable, started Y7 in September where most of her class knew no one. She knew no one. She now has a small select group of friends and is happy and doing really well. She is glad she didn't pick a school based on friends as she is still in touch with her best friend from primary, despite not living on the doorstep of each other, so it is a double winner. Well done everyone dealing with today. I remember this time last year and glad it is behind us.

My DD knew nobody when she started secondary school. She has taken it as a chance to reinvent herself, get away from the "sensible" label she was lumbered with at primary. She has a lovely group of friends now and has absolutely, finally found her tribe.

Hi all.... all advice truly welcomed... we applied and received our first choice, (st Bedes) which we are really delighted about! We can finally dodge the private school fees ...
But...
We never took Ds to see school and he's not keen... 😖... Think it's all a bit of a shock for him as he thought he'd just move into the senior school...
Really didn't believe we would get the place... know it's very oversubscribed....
Is it possible to view the school do you think... ? Is this something any of you have done before? Or does the school hold a open day after offers so we can take him along.
He's made such lovely friends at current school... loads of tears tonight when he was told... all very upsetting when it's like the best news...

11Eleven: your poor boy. Had you not discussed the possibility of changing schools with him at all? Schools don't hold post-offer open days, no, and I would guess it depends on the individual school about visits. Throw yourself on their mercy! Did you visit?

@11Eleven2017 In our area I'm pretty sure that in your situation, if someone rang the school and explained, they would let you come in to take a look around. The secondary schools also have days where all the primary kids go up for the day too as a sort of induction day. I would ring them, explain, and see what options you have to let him see this could be a great school for him. Good luck.

11Eleven
I agree that if you explain; the school will be happy to show you around. There should also be transition events such as an orientation day.
Good luck

11Eleven - I certainly got to visit the school my son was given on offer day after the offer. We just phoned and explained the situation and they were happy to show us and our son around. There will be transition days in the summer, but that is a long way off.
I would also try to big up the positive aspects of this move - more time for a sport he likes and to join a proper club? Any activities offered that his present school doesn't? Subjects to try that his present one doesn't? Unusual sports?

Jotti contact your LEA as soon as possible as you may need to re-activate your application in order to go on 2nd choice waiting list. As you got 1st choice you won't be on any waiting lists.

We had same with DD a couple of years ago, as she got first choice (sibling priority) but had heart set on a different school. I rang 2nd choice on day after offers day and she would have been top of the waiting list if she'd been on it. So we had a few days while our LEA re-activated our application so we could join the waiting list. In the meantime we accepted the place at school 1, then waited for the school 2 to start their waiting list offers. By Easter we had an offer and DD very sensibly wrote down the pros and cons of each school, and made up her mind. 2 years on she's still delighted with her choice.

@11Eleven2017 big hugs. I hope DS is less upset this morning. DD won't be moving on with any of her school friends. She already knew this. I've stressed that just because she doesn't go to the same school as them doesn't mean that they can't be friends and see each other outside of school. I would have thought that the school would be very open to you visiting with DS. Also all schools near me run transition programmes so the children get to meet before starting. This will probably help him as well. I bet he won't be the only one moving on alone.

Here I have just accepted DDs place. Feels very real now. After the initial elation everyone is a bit subdued today. I think it is sinking in for all of us that she is growing up. Also sad that two of her friends are very disappointed. I know its a long way to go and hopefully will work out for them in the end.

We got first choice. DS is thrilled but I was secretly hoping he'd get the second one.

11eleven- we're in a grammar area, and so lots of children get offered schools they didn't prioritise. All the schools hold open mornings after offers are made, and you can also arrange visits outside of those times. There are also transition day (all maintained schools do on same day) and meetings at the school for the children that will attend.

Thanks for all the lovely advice... called school this morning and they have said they will try to organise a day for a visit as a few parents had called requesting the same. Big sigh of relief.
Son was much better this morning. Quite up beat, so may have just needed time to process information. Hopeful the school visit will allay any remaining concerns for him.
Such a big decision, this secondary school malarkey.... leaving friendship groups behind ... 😒... very stressful!

We're fine as DS1 got his first choice (a brand new school opening in September, walking distance, mixed gender, not religious), but a friend who lives elsewhere is very unhappy with the school her DD was been allocated. She plans to appeal- but she did list it as one of their preferences. What grounds can she have for appeal if they included the school on their application?

Hi our daughter received her 3rd choice which we are at least happy to get a place however our 1st choice where her sister is in year 7 she is currently on the wait list and is number 21. Is there likely to be that much movement?. The school we have been offered is Parliament Hill anyone have experience of this school?

Calisio we were only offered our second choice but I'm appealing for our first choice because it was our preferred school for lots of reasons, including the fact that our DD is there already.

Thank you @tiggytape, that's really useful.

We were both "hmm, how will an appeal work, won't they just say 'but you included this school as a preference'?" Thank you so much for your advice!

DD wants to go to the independent (for lots of reasons mainly to do with their specialist science teaching) and dp and I are OK with that so someone is about to move a place up the waiting list for the outstanding school she's been offered - let hope it makes someone happy :) Amazingly our LA won't let us accept / reject online - oh no we have to fill out a form and return to the school by post.

Probably if we'd had offer for independent before closing date for state school applications we'd have not applied but we had to have an alternative available.

Hi Nong45 im in a dilemma really as the school my eldest is in year 7 is a fantastic selective school where she actually got a music place. Its very much into performing arts which my 2nd daughter loves too so would suit her. The only appeal I could go for is that because its a Cof E school and even though we are committed Christians however attend an Evangelical church they rejected our church letter and placed us in the open place so personally I find it an injustice but whether that will hold any ground I have no idea. The school she has been offered is Parliament Hill school which seems quite an arty school which will suit her plus they don't have a uniform which will also suit her. So unsure whether to appeal???. Feel quite deflated

Caliseo. What does the admissions criteria say re type of church? I know a lot of CofE schools give priority to CofE attendees but often there is another category ahead of the open category for people who attend churches that are affiliated to the likes of the World Council of Churches or (maybe more relevant for your situation) the Evangelical Alliance.