Changed mind about school but already accepted place

[ineedaholiday2]

DD is starting secondary school in September in Camden. We accepted a place for her preferred state school, but now she has changed her mind and wants to go to another state school. Needless to say, all schools are massively oversubscribed.

My question is, can I ask for her to be on the waiting list of the other school? Will she lose her place at school 1 if we do so?

Thanks

It’s fine to put her on the waiting list of the other school but don’t give up the place you’ve already accepted in case she doesn’t get in the new school before September

Putting her on the waiting list for another school will not lose her the place she already has. Camden waiting lists are moving quite a lot at the moment, as they usually do at this time of year, from what I hear (and from personal experience!).

Put your request to go on the waiting list in writing to the admissions office, and call them up (I'd leave it till after Easter if you can bear it, primary offers went out yesterday so they'll be swamped just now) to find out where your daughter is on the waiting list.

There's no problem with going on a waiting list for the other school, but what's to say that in a month's time she'll change her mind back to her original preferred school? Transfer to secondary is hard enough as it is for most 11 year olds. For planning a successful transition , managing her expectations, I think you need to understand why she has changed her mind. Is it the mix of friends going there of elsewhere? And she's only 11. Are you happy for the final choice to be down to her? Are the schools academically similar, with the same opportunities? Is it logistically as easy for her to get to? Most parents I knew when going through this decision did not make the choice purely on the whim of the child. I recognise OP that you have not given the reasons she has for the change of mind, and fundamentally you have nothing to lose by going on a waiting list, but how do you manage her expectations if she doesn't get a place before September?

I agree with other posters.

I don’t think Camden primaries can be as oversubscribed as they usually are so you may strike lucky. I know one sell-a-kidney school has offered to at least three times its usual offer distance!

Do you agree with your daughters choice btw?

@Debenhamshandtowel the OP's daughter is transferring to secondary. As has been previously noted on here, current Y6 is quite full.

@ineedaholiday2 only you and your DD know if she's likely to have another change of heart. There are no guarantees that she will get into her new 1st preference on the waiting list, so your best strategy is to be realistic with her about that and encourage her to see the best in the school she's been allocated, because the chances are that's where she'll be going in September, (unless the other school is undersubscribed, which it doesn't sound as if it is). Which is closer to your home?

I’m so sorry! As you were...I’ve moved too quickly between threads and I’ve made myself dizzy. I did think you’re 4 year old had a lot of power ineedaholiday2!

Thanks everyone, we phoned and miraculously they had a place available! I'm really glad about her choice and supporting her 100%.

Congratulations! That must be a huge relief.

Congratulations! That must be a huge relief.

Oh that's great news, I'm really pleased for you (and her!)

Oops. Excuse the multiple posts

Brilliant!