Anyone understand secondary admissions?

[MerryMarigold]

How do local authority allocate choices? So:

If you don't get first choice, will you automatically go top of pile for second choice? Or does the fact you put it second go against you?

Friends lives close to school A. They like it but not as much as school B (which they are out of catchment). Putting school B first choice is a very slight risk (they would probably get in but it all depends on the year). If they didn't get into school B, they really want school A, but this school is heavily over subscribed. They would definitely get in if they put it first choice as they live quite close.

So my question is if they did not get first choice school B, would they go definitely get school A as if they had put it first?

Just doing a got if risk assessment as they really wouldn't want to end up with neither school.

You are considered equally for each school then allocated the highest preference for which you qualify. So preferences should be listed in order B then A, but include at least one for which you are confident of a place based on previous years.

All LEAs in England have to follow an equal preference system, so you should put the schools in your genuine order of preference, including at least one school that you can be fairly confident of gaining a place at (usually your nearest/catchment school). The schools don't know the order you have listed them in when allocating places, just that you have applied. The only way that the order matters is if more than one school is able to offer you a place. Everyone can only receive one offer, so in this case the LEA will offer you the school that is highest on your list that is able to offer you a place.

If a school's only admission criteria was distance (hypothetically), then if you listed it 6th and I listed it first, but you lived nearer to the school than me, you would get the place over me.

So, list the schools in your genuine order of preference, and don't listen to rumours like "X school fills up with people who put it first" as they aren't true (but you will always hear them!).

None of the above. You're placed according to the criteria used for each school, irrespective of which preference you state.

Say there are 100 places at each school:

Are you in the top 100 applications for school preference 1? Yes, place allocated, end of process.

No, then are you in the top 100 applications for school preference 2? Yes, place allocated.

No, then you're placed in whichever school has availability after all the preferences have been checked. That's why it's not a good idea to only put one or two schools.

(None of the above refers to the original post, not the two posters above me!)

So, if your friend prefers School B, they should put that first and School A second. As long as they include School A on their form as well, there is absolutely no 'risk' at all- they will not be at any disadvantage at all for School A compared to if they had put it first. The only difference is that if both School A and School B are able to offer them a place, they will be offered School B if they listed it first.

OK great. Thanks so much.

Very reassuring. Will let friends know.

Just as a quick add on, you don’t automatically go on waiting lists. For some areas e.g London you will automatically go on a waiting list for a higher ranked choice you were initially turned down. Other regions though (such as Kent) you’ll have to request a waiting list place.

It shouldn't get to waiting list as they are within catchment of choice 2. However, in Essex I think you automatically go on waiting list for choice 1.