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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

How to accept offers.

11 replies

DawnJ01 · 13/12/2020 16:56

Hi,
Assuming (fingers crossed) that our DD gets some offers in Feb. I wondered if anyone could advise who has been through this before about what the process is for accepting offers?.
I understand you will get a offer letter outlining the acceptance date etc. Do we need to post a contract back to them and pay deposit on line?. Or is it all done electronically?. I just worry about the post not being that reliable in our area!. Would hate for the school not to receive the acceptance documents!.
Thanks for any tips!

OP posts:

catndogslife · 13/12/2020 17:16

I don't understand your post, for state secondary schools you only receive one offer for a school place and your contact is with the LEA rather than the school.

LizziesTwin · 13/12/2020 17:20

Each school will tell you what you need to do. If your daughter receives offers from more than one school decline any you are not interested in as soon as possible so the place can be released. Some children will only get places off waiting lists and it’s important to let them have as little time to worry as possible (mother of 3).

Polly99 · 13/12/2020 17:38

For private schools, you send back the form with the cheque for your deposit by the acceptance deadline. It's generally done by post IME (at least it was when we last did this a few years ago). I also emailed the school when the offer landed to let them know we would be accepting- though the place is only secure once they have your cheque.

If you are in London there are a couple of girls schools that have operated exploding offers in recent years (ie they over-offer then withdraw the remainder once all places are accepted). If the school you want is one of those, it's best to take your forms and cheque to the school as soon after the offer comes as you can.

And notify any other schools that you won't be accepting, as that helps others on the waiting list.

Stircrazyschoolmum · 13/12/2020 18:22

At the moment I’m just hoping to get an offer! But assuming we do, we’ll be sending our cheque by recorded delivery!

Come join us on the girls thread if you want a virtual hand hold.. I think you are looking at SCHS and SH? You might get some traffic from more experienced mums there.. plus some moral support during this looong waiting period!

Original poster

DawnJ01 · 13/12/2020 19:02

Thanks! How do I join the girls thread??

OP posts:

Mummy195 · 14/12/2020 09:07

Usually the school will send an acceptance form for you to sign. In it there is usually the bank details and they will give you a reference format - this is usually your DS last name and initial or at least part of the last name if it's too long. For example REF : SMITHWD they may shorten it if your last name is too long and say use the first 6 letters of the last name with their initials.

Most schools will send you just the congrats letter together, maybe a letter directed to your DD too, as well as the page with the Yes/No with bank details in it. They will usually say they will send more info after acceptance, a few will send everything at once. The dreaded thick or thin letter.

I have not signed a cheque in years.

Most schools - especially in London will give you a call a few days after offer to get a feel of whether you want to accept or not, so they can move along with the reserve list. Usually you post back the form, though one we were quite sure we were not accepting and they asked us to scan and email as they could not take us off till we formally declined. We then posted the original later. So as ppl said, do let them know in good time what your answer is.

All the best for your DD

stellagibbons · 14/12/2020 09:44

Other than the schools which have exploding offers, does anyone know whether the latest date for acceptance usually falls before or after national allocation day for the state schools?

AveEldon · 14/12/2020 11:07

@stellagibbons

Other than the schools which have exploding offers, does anyone know whether the latest date for acceptance usually falls before or after national allocation day for the state schools?

It is usually a few days after the state school offer day

stellagibbons · 14/12/2020 11:32

@AveEldon thank you, that's very helpful.

forachange · 14/12/2020 17:50

Ours was all done electronically - offer letter and acceptance via email and payment by bank transfer - so no post involved. Sounds like it varies by school.

Stircrazyschoolmum · 14/12/2020 20:27

@DawnJ01 just write a message on the indie girls thread and it will get added to your watch list. Mention which schools you are trying for and you’ll get lots of support / opinions / advice. It’s usually close to the top of the board and so doesn’t risk getting lost like individual posts. SCHS are offering more tours.. I hope you got one.. otherwise drop an email to admissions as there might be more in Jan?

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