National Offer Day Waiting Room

[crisscrosscranky]

Anyone else itching for tonight/tomorrow?

Were in Essex and DD passed 11+ in catchment for two grammars so we know it's option one or two but I'm still desperate to know- DD has her heart set on our first choice.

Her friendship group (and my mum friendship group!) have applied for four different schools as first choice so we're not worried about being with friends etc.

None of ds's friends got a place at the same school. Most didn't get 1st choice (though generally happy with offer) Some have no placement or very unhappy at allocation.

@babyseven76 Start a new thread with “appeal” in the title and one of the admissions experts on here is more likely to see it.

@Eviecee yeah I did got my priest to complete their relevant forms aswell as I'd completed a suppliment form from the school and brought both to them. But got a feeling that the school (catholic girls) did put her name on the list and send it to my local authority but because we come under a different one they give theirs instead 🙁 could they do that? My older daughter did got accepted into the Catholic girls school years ago and now studying engineering at university but at the time we came under the same local authority as the school, so wondering if that might be the case. Just so confused right now 🤔

Some have no placement

What?! Can this happen? How?

@Larkdescending thank you, I have. I'm hoping someone would be able to help. 🤞

2nd choice here. Poor dd isn't at all happy.

We got our first choice! So relieved.
Usually, if you're within 1 mile from the school, you'll get a place. But last year it fell to 0.9 and a few years ago it was 0.6! We're 0.7, so although I was quite hopeful. I was a bit on edge last night.

former absolutely no idea, all I can think is that even the 'my child is never going there' school is full as well, but in terms of distance the school is pretty much the furthest away.

For those that need help with appeals- I was fortunate to "meet" Prh47bridge on the appeals threads and he helped me more than he will ever know, even personally emailing and helping me throughout the process.
There are some wonderful people on MN.
The appeal is why I first joined to be honest and 5 years on I still remember the support and kindness I was given.
Good luck to everyone

A child in my class didn't make their grammar choice (not really surprised, he's solid but not a high flyer) and then didn't get a place at any of the other schools they applied for either. Not sure what they are going to do apart from pin their hopes on an appeal for the grammar which is likely to be unsuccessful.

Still waiting to hear

Luckily got our first choice, was dreading having to appeal.
Have tried to accept it via email (to Reading council) as we did last time, but gotten a snotty email back telling me to await a letter with instructions? I recall it asking if you preferred email notification or letter and I definitely clicked email so baffled and worried he will lose his place. Post has been and no letter either.
Anyone know?

We got our first choice. Really wasn't expecting it as it's a lottery school. Has really put the cat amongst the pigeons at home though as we had decided to go private. Nice position to be in but lots of talking to be done over the weekend.

@howhowhow congrats, that sounds like a great dilemma to have!

@PassTheGinPlease you won't lose the place, your offer letter will have details of how to accept it, and there's usually a two week window. If your letter doesn't arrive in the first half of next week check in with the LA admissions office to make sure it hasn't gone astray. Be as lovely as you can on the phone as they will be having a very hard week!

Croydon. Still waiting. My first choice is usually 0.9m - 1.1m catchment, I am 0.8m, so very much on the edge!

Thanks @Zinnia, we had a bulge year and 833 children applied for 240 places at the school he got, so was worried. Will do as you suggest and if letter doesn't appear will call and be polite.

So stupid question, but if I accept the offer, will that mean we can’t go on the waiting list for the preferred school? I’m sure I do know the answer but my mind is swimming today.

4 you can and should accept and go on the waiting list.

No, @4strings, whatever you do accept the offer you have in hand (this is the First Rule of Mumsnet Education Boards).

You should then automatically be placed on the waiting list for any school you placed higher up your preference list.

However I would recommend emailing your LA admissions office (or possibly the school admissions office if they are their own admissions authority - check this on your LA's website) to confirm exactly which schools you wish to remain on the list for. You can also request to stay on the lists for schools lower down your preferences, or I think any school you like even if you didn't put it on your form.

If you don't accept the offer you have, the LA will have fulfilled its obligation to you and does not need to keep you on any lists at all.

you can accept (you really should accept otherwise the LA has discharged their duty) and then ask to go on the waiting list for preferred school 4strings

@babyseven76

first choice was not offered but still waiting to hear about 2nd choice. Is that normal?

In some places you're automatically on the waiting list for higher preference schools. You should be able to find the information about waiting lists on the Council website.

No news yet. We are in Surrey. Waiting anxiously....

In Kent, 45 mins to go. We should get our first choice, 0.3 miles away, single sex grammar, so only a limited amount can apply rather than every y6 child in the area, but still nervous.

@TidaQuel

I'm feeling better than I was this morning - we chose a third choice that we were well out of catchment area but really thought we would get second choice and could appeal first choice so it wouldn't matter. I felt guilty got not choosing a more realistic third choice. I've since heard from a neighbour who chose same first and second but our very local school as third (this school is almost on our doorstep) but their ds still didn't get a place which has made me feel much better.

We are in a good place to appeal for both school (first place I work out so I know how close he came).

Fingers crossed everyone gets a place they are happy with in time.