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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Remind me again I have to...

44 replies

Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:15

Put down the school I really don't want as a banker...

Applications for secondary open today and I know, I know i have to list it even though o don't want to...

Even though everyone else will be adamant they will get their kid into what school they want because they aren't listing it....

It's stupid I know but part of me feels I'm giving up even though im putting it last

But I'll just get somewhere else right? Somewhere just as bad and possibly much further away...

OP posts:
Migraleve · 12/09/2017 13:17

I genuinely have no idea what you are trying to say!

Why do you have to put down a school that no one else does? What's being a banker?

steppemum · 12/09/2017 13:21

Ignore ignorant parents.
You do not get a school because it is the only one you listed
You do not get a school because you list it 3 times

Put you preferred schools down in order you want them. Putting a school 2nd doesn't mean you have less chance than the perosn who put it first. You will get your school sin the order on the form, if you fulfill the criteria.

Do use last place on your form for a school you stand a really good chance of getting into (eg because it is close)

Once the places are sent out, accept the one you are given, even if you don't want it, and go on waiting list for the one(s) you do want.

NoYouDontKnowItAll · 12/09/2017 13:22

Even though everyone else will be adamant they will get their kid into what school they want because they aren't listing it....

Bitter experience dictates that this isn't true and may in fact make the one they don't want more likely to be offered

As you know, if you don't list alternatives the LA will do it for you as suits them not you

steppemum · 12/09/2017 13:23

Migraleve - secondary school applications (and primary) people on the playground always say that they got their school because they only put down the one they wanted.

Doesn't work that way.

hairygodmother · 12/09/2017 13:23

If you just put down the school that you want and don't list anything else, you might not get anything. At least, that's how it works in our county - if you haven't put several choices and you don't get the one choice you did put down, then the onus is on you to find a place for your child; you don't have one randomly allocated. So I would say use all the choices you have, at least that way you have some control over the selection.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:23

Sorry

Just having some last minute panics

I've just spoken to too many people who reckon they didn't get the school in listing because they didn't list it even though it's their catchment (like me)

Despite the fact I know better it's still hard to put it down so I have one on my list im.garunteed to get. I..just trying to tell myself that nor listing or won't garuntee I'll get somewhere better...

OP posts:
Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:24

Knew you guys could hit me over the head enough.. .
.thanks

OP posts:
GrockleBocs · 12/09/2017 13:25

I have school 1 that we want but won't get, school 2 that we don't want but will get if we put it down and then absolutely nothing for school 3.
So yes you have to put the school you don't want but will get unless you literally would prefer any other school in the district.

BigDeskBob · 12/09/2017 13:26

"But I'll just get somewhere else right? Somewhere just as bad and possibly much further away..."

This. Schools are filled as per their admission criteria. If you are not high enough in the list you don't get in.

Some parents don't understand that it's a preference, not a choice.

tiggytape · 12/09/2017 13:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:29

I know i know, I've been through this witg primary and already dealt with getting no preferences and going through to second round and thank fully lucking out (not without a a downside though )

And I know i can't do that all over again

But there will still be a part of me thinking I got it as I put it (which is bull shit I know but hard not to when people who take the chances are always the ones who getbwhat they want)

OP posts:
Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:31

Fear not though get 6 "preferences" so room for longshits as well

Given the total lack of schools to choose from nothing to lose by listing them

OP posts:
Flossy1978 · 12/09/2017 13:36

The English way of getting into schools is so strange to me. Our children in Australia must be given a place in the Government school in the area the child lives. It is the law. We do not have to make any lists up. Of course you can choose to go to another school out if your area. You need to ask first and you'll get in if there is a place.

Private and specialist schools have their own rules.

hairygodmother · 12/09/2017 13:36

Agree with all the pp, if you don't put it down at all, you may get something worse from your point of view. Weigh up all the options and look at all the choices but have at least one on the list that you are likely to get into, because at least that way it's your choice. It is an awful process, I agree. Really hope you get the school you want and if you don't, you could always appeal? (although I am reliably informed that 'because all of his/her friends are there' is not a good enough reason)

tiggytape · 12/09/2017 13:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

steppemum · 12/09/2017 13:37

It is worth remembering that it is a computerised system, and it is merciless.

So, only list one school, and you are not eligible for it? computer allocates you a place. But it allocates ALL THE PEOPLE WHO EXPRESSED PREFERENCES first, and then gives you a place at the closest school with availability, which may by then be 10 miles away, as even your lousy local school is now full.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:40

Oh there will be an appeal thread Wink

1 is a long shot but possible
2 and 3 no chance really but going on list
4 possibly
And 5 banker school

Depending on 11 plus results the grammar will be knocked off the others all bumped up and another long shot put as 5 and banker 6.

I know that sounds kinda daft but there aren't 6 choices really so...

OP posts:
steppemum · 12/09/2017 13:44

are your grammar's distance dependant then?
ours go by results, top to bottom, which is great for us (live a long way away) but crap for the people who actually live in the town where the school is.

hairygodmother · 12/09/2017 13:45

Lucky you to have grammar school as an option Envy

It sounds as though you're doing the right thing, though. Just be careful how you fill the form in. I put three schools in (we only had three choices) and just before I hit send, I noticed that the order had got reversed so I had number 3 in place number 1. Eek.

tiggytape · 12/09/2017 13:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:46

According to websites we are catchment for the grammars so if she passes we should get a spot.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:49

The worst result is my catchment school

The one that is only slightly better is the two bus journeys away and it's not "better enough" to pay for 2 buses to get to.

OP posts:
GuestWW · 12/09/2017 13:50

We only get three choices here, although not sure I could think of six schools do just as well. @tiggytape what a fantastic explanation.

Original poster
Gileswithachainsaw · 12/09/2017 13:50

1 is definateky the dream school.

Not as good as 2 or 3 but nearer easier and less faff. So definateky would prefer that over the others for that reason

OP posts:
ParadiseCity · 12/09/2017 13:53

Now then if everyone told you they got their kids into school by jumping off a cliff would you do that?

You know what to do. Good luck.

And also PMSL @ how lucky to be in a grammar area. Trust me hairygodmother it's a totally shit unfair horrible system.