Secondary school allocations - do primary schools hear first?

[Dancergirl]

Is it true that primary schools are advised of secondary school allocations before parents? When does this happen and why? Are they allowed to tell parents?

Why do they hear first??

Oh i didn't know that. Is that in all areas?

Thank you tiggy the last few hours waiting is horrendous!

I’m a Year 6 teacher and yes, Primary Schools will have received the allocation lists yesterday. No, we’re not allowed to tell parents or children, even if for some reason there’s a problem, we can’t give the information, parents would have to contact Admissions.

You sound outraged Dancergirl, what is it about the schools finding out that worries you? At least they'll be able to look after anyone who didn't get their first choice and I would expect them to treat the information as strictly confidential.

Good luck to my DD's school who have to deal with pupils transferring between a large number of schools, around 10 or 11 in my area!

Errmm hardly outraged just surprised. But tiggy’s explanation maker sense.

In DS's year at primary school (single form entry) the cohort moved on to 15 different secondary schools! Hadn't previously considered how much additional admin this must make.

FWIW my mother taught at my school so she got my A Level results the day before I did, and didn't say a word. School staff are very good at keeping secrets when necessary.

I'm glad primary school will know ahead of us as it's likely DC1's class will be far more dispersed than previous years (catchment secondary has some new issues which are unlikely to be resolved by Oct 2018 when the applications go in) and there will undoubtedly be emotions to manage that day.

I'm a head and we don't receive the list until a couple of days after parents do.

We got the list an hour before the 5pm launch time! Even I can keep a secret for an hour