Waiting list offers grammar

[Stokey]

If you get offered a waiting list place at a higher preference school, do you have to accept it? How long do you have decide?

We're on a waiting list for a grammar school but also quite happy with our second choice which we have accepted. I've no idea how much the grammar waiting list will move, so think there may come a time when we would just rather stick with what we have.

Any experience on how quickly the grammar waiting lists move? They aren't releasing the numbers until mid March but don't expect to be in the top 20.

No you don't have to accept it

In our area, until the end of August you don't get the chance to accept or decline, you just automatically get given a place if one becomes available at a higher ranked school on your list and you lose your place at your lower-down choice.
So, at the point you decide you're happy with choice B, you need to ask to be removed from the waiting list of choice A.
Once it becomes an in-year waiting list in year 7, you get given the opportunity to accept or decline.

@grammarwoes that was my concern. I'm in London so boroughs but grammar is in a different borough. I think they must give you time to accept but just want to be sure!

It depends as in my area (herts) if a place comes up at a higher preference school then your original offer is removed and they give you your higher choice automatically. That applies until 2nd or 3rd allocations.

London- we could accept the grammar place if we wanted. We had already released the other place anyway but we would have been allowed to keep it if we hadn’t. We had about 5 days to make up our mind about the grammar.

Thanks @Enoughisenough2021 hopefully that will be enough time to make up our minds once and for all!