Admissions cock up - what do I do?

[Someappealadviceplease]

We got a randomly allocated school (London) on March 1. 40 metres out from last accepted child for our preferred choice. Asked to go on waiting list and on list for one other school with a shorter list on March 2.

LA refuses to give out waiting list positions until April 23rd (!)

But yesterday DD comes home from primary and says 'er, Mrs xx (SLT member) says that they have something different down for my secondary from where I think I've been allocated'. I call LA. 'Oh,' they say, 'yes we offered you 'slightly more desirable school' a week ago (not our choice, but the one we've asked to go on wait list for) but we've had systems issues. The letter hasn't generated. And the lady who coordinates transfer isn't in this week. I'll get her to email you at some point.'

We're off on holiday for a week and a half tomorrow - they send posted letters.....

Will we lose our place if we aren't here to accept?

D'oh! Doesn't fill one with confidence, does it?

Are you or DH able to go there in person today?

Failing that, can you post them a letter today confirming everything that was said on the phone and your wishes? You could send the letter as signed for (or whatever it's called these days). That way there's written and dated proof?

I agree with locked's second post. write a letter, explain you were told of the place over the phone, haven't received it yet in writing, but due to being away over Easter you are worried you will not get and return official letter in time.
Write very clearly :

Please take this letter as an accpetance of my place for xxxxxxxxxx child of yyyyyy address date of birth //// at zzzzzzzzzz school for September 2018.

highlight /bold it, put it at the top of the letter, and then do you explanation.

Make you sure you have a copy and also proof of postage.

Then you should be fine.

Thanks both. I'll do that. It's all a bit worrying - especially given that I can't see waiting list places so it's all being done in a vacuum.

make sure you ask for receipt/confirmation, and I would provide an email address for that too.

All sorted. School has sent me confirmation of the place and I have accepted. LA hasn't exactly covered itself with glory though, has it- I shan't be trusting them to get the rest of the process right after that!

Phew. What a nightmare.