6 forms - very confused

[Linneasweet]

Hi, my DD applied and got conditional offers for 5 6th forms, I was told to accept all which she done. She have now narrowed it down to one favourite but got an email from it the other day saying that as it is over subscribed all students "accepting the second time" (can't remember the exact wordings they used) on result day 20/8 should also accept another 6 form, just in case the courses she applies for are full. Is this normal? So if she do that and get a no a few days later and a yes from her 2nd favourite is it a chance that the first favourite would then contact her later saying they have a place as many others does this as well?

They've done their timetabling now based on number of applicants for each course, factoring in their knowledge of how many applicants actually come, get the grades for the courses and can do the combination they want on their timetable. So it really depends on her subject combination and the likelihood of her getting the grades (this is obviously more of an unknown this year given the way grades are being awarded.) Most popular/oversubscribed subjects are Bio, Chem, Maths and Psychology. High grades usually required for first 3, which does whittle out some. But a school will not run a 3rd Bio class for example if they have 2 full classes and just a few extra students. Lab space is often at a premium, as are A Level science teachers. What are the arrangements for confirming the place on results day? That'll be key, if it isn't her current school

There should be some oversubscription criteria for sixth forms written down somewhere. It could be that they give priority for certain subjects based on grades or other factors such as have attending the attached school between years 7 and 11 or distance from the sixth form.
Not all A level subjects will be oversubscribed.
You need back-up choices to cover both oversubscription or if there aren't enough students for a sixth form to offer the desired combination of subjects.
There should be time between receiving results and enrolment to work out the next steps.