Acceptance of 11+ places

[giddybiddy]

Do independent schools have to adhere to certain dates when asking people to accept places? I have heard that some schools wait until state school places are announced before their deadline. Is that just because it is good practice rather than a requirement?

Private schools can set whatever dates they like, they are not bound by any legal requirements about acceptance dates.

A sensible private school would put their deadline just before 11+ results are published. Collect reservation fees from everyone, whether they attend or not.

Most of the London ones are March 5th in 2018 so a few days after the state school offers come out.

I think I might be slightly worried if a school made you commit before the state places were announced - indicative either of a rather money-grabbing attitude or an insecurity about whether parents would still want a place at their school if they could have a grammar place instead?

Certainly in London, I think all private schools set the deadline just after the state offers come out. The issue is places fill before the deadline (in some cases last year, well before the deadline) and you run a very real risk of loosing a place a private school you have gained entry to. I know of a few cases of parents paying the private school deposit but then taking up a grammar place when that was offered. I guess for some, a terms fees is worth gambling if a 'free' education is possibly avaialble. Weighted up against 7 years of fees, I can see why someone may choose that gamble. Personally, I think it is advisable to work through all your possible options and scenarios once all the exams are out of the way so once offers come through, you know what it is you and your child really want and can act decisively.

OP: They don't have to, but most do have early March deadlines so families can see their state offers.

Getmeout: No, not all London schools do. We have a fresh offer letter for DD2 asking for £ 6,241 by 5 January. But this is the exception. And very offputting given that we are also considering state,.. In their defence, we were told about the early deadline - but I was not aware of the amount.

What's even more annoying are the very many parents who accept their state school place whilst then accepting a private school place. They then sit on that state place as an insurance offer until September. Appalling behaviour and commonplace.

Why would you need a state school insurance place once you’ve been offered an independent place? (Genuine question, this process is new to me!) Is it just if you haven’t made up your mind which to take? I can see why you’d apply to both, but not why you’d keep both places open once you’ve been offered the one you want.

The schools that will tie you in now with a term's fees is one that expects to be a 2nd+ choice without that financial commitment. It would put me right off as they're effectively ensuring there is no competition as very few schools give offers before Jan/Feb.

Most don't commit you to a term of fees until Easter - that is then effectively a term of notice. However most will have a hefty acceptance deposit payable on acceptance £1k not unusual and you lose that if you withdraw longer than 14 days after accepting.

As was said most don't have their deadline until March and a few days after state school offer day of 1 March. Unless a school makes clear that places are over offered and a limit achieved before deadline (City girls do this) then you don't need to panic and accept before the deadline.....because for most schools e offer stands until the deadline.

Some schools are very much the second choice. I know of one who made many scholarship offers but has no academic scholars because they all went elsewhere to higher preferences. Rather disappointing for them.

Def avoid schools with deadlines before state school offer day or those which immediately want a full term of fees. Smacks of spdesperation and doesn't tend to be the top schools who do this.

However, don't leave serious decision making to the last minute. If you're only interested in independent schools you should be able to decide faster....and no need to hang onto multiple offers. And if you are waiting for state then be pretty sure if your choice before you get the offer. Hanging onto offers needlessly slows the system and definitely causes anguish to other kids and parents.....often needlessly.

Do most schools give you back the acceptance deposit if you change your mind within 14 days? I don't remember seeing that in the T&Cs of any schools my DDs have had offers to.