Do you stay on the waiting list for higher ranked schools irrespective?

[calpop]

We have been given third choice school at Secondary. Have no intention of sending child there. So dc is automatically on waiting list for first and second choice school, I believe.

Does that change in any way depending on whether I accept or reject current third place offer? It seems a shame to accept a place for the third choice school that someone more local may want when we would never use it. Do I have to accept current number 3 place to keep them on the waiting list for number 1?

I think you need to put them on all suitable waiting lists

Agreed! No idea which region you live in but down in Kent you would have to fill in the waiting list form for 1&2 which we received in our offer letter pack. I don’t think you’d automatically be on their waiting lists. Don’t turn down 3 - the council has a legal obligation to offer you a school - they have & in worse case scenario situation you could be without a school.

And no, I don’t think you have to accept 3 to be on the waiting list for 1&2 - but you’ve no guarantee that you’ll get into either (although there is a lot of movement on waiting lists) so turning down 3 would be unwise!

In our area waiting lists were automatic for higher preferences but check what your letter says and contact LA if not sure. You don't need to accept a school to be on waiting lists but I would until you get place at school you prefer. There's normally a fair bit of movement on waiting lists but no guarantees and depends where you are on it.

Accept accept accept the place at 3. You should automatically be on the waiting lists for 1 & 2 regardless but you should email your LA admissions team anyway to make sure. Also read the secondary admissions page on the council website to confirm.

You must accept the place!!!! Or the LA will no longer have a responsibility to find you a school and you could end up with none.

Accept the place and going on the waiting list for others.

Unless you’re prepared to home school indefinitely if you don’t get in to the first or second choices then absolutely accept the place you’ve been offered, it has no bearing on the other waiting lists or any appeal, but will ensure that you have a school place if all else fails.

Thanks All. Admission letter said we are automatically on waiting lists for 1 and 2 (Surrey) - so I will accept 3 anyway.

I know that this is going to sound dim, but if we all accept our allocated schools, how do the waiting lists ever go down?

@SarfE4sticated because some people will move house/ go private/ decide to homeschool and their place will be freed up and offered to the next person on the waiting list... whose previously accepted place will then become free etc etc.

Also some children are offered private places or faith schools with non faith being a safety net

When they accept the faith school a place is freed up

Thanks both - that does make sense - I’ll keep my fingers crossed 🙏🏻🤞🏻