Understanding 1st and 2 priority

[schooling123]

We think to put school A ( ballot selection) as a 1st and School B ( feeder primary school) as a 2nd priority.

If we are not offered school A, would people who put school B as their 1st priority get priority of places and we would then not get School B offer?

Thank you.

Everyone who applies for school B, regardless of whether first or second or third choice, is put into a list in order of priority (normally medical needs/looked after then siblings then distance or distance then siblings) the top 30 or 60 or whatever get offered a place.
If any of those people have got a place at another school that they put as higher priority then they get taken off the list and everyone else shuffles up a place. This continues until there is no more shuffling.

So if we do not get School A, and move to 2nd choice School B, we will be in the same "pot" as people who put School B as their 1st choice?

Yes- as long as you list a school, whether that is in first place, last place, or somewhere in between, you are not disadvantaged. Put the schools in your genuine order of preference, always including at least one school that you can be fairly certain of gaining a place at.

The only way that the order you list schools is relevant is if you are eligible to offered a place at more than one school on your list, in which case you will be offered the school that is higher on your list, as everyone can only receive one initial offer.

There may be rumours going round that X School always fills up with people who put it first or that you should only list X School as if you list the less popular school as well you'll get given that- please ignore all this as it is rubbish. It honestly isn't a game of tactics. Follow the published advice and the advice on MN. There are some very helpful admissions experts on here.

You should put the schools in your genuine order of preference.

If school A is unable to offer you a place school B becomes your first choice, if school B is then unable to offer you a place school C becomes your first choice and so on. The process stops when a school can offer you a place.

All state schools will offer strictly in accordance with their admission policies which will be on their website.