Private school wait list for year 7 - how much movement?

[winterrabbit]

DS is on the waiting list for our favourite school for him. The school in question is very popular but lots of brighter kids turn it down as they typically get places as one of the super selectives in the area. The school say they always see movement on the lists and that they will offer as soon as a place becomes available but are not being very clear about whether they expect any places to free-up between now and September. We've accepted an offer somewhere else but would love DS to go to this school in particular. Just wonder if there is likely to be movement. They do have a junior school and I know some kids leave after year 6 so I think/hope there could be spaces coming up soon once people given a term's notice. Anyone have experience with this?

The school won't know when spaces are likely to become available as by now all deposits will be paid so there won't be any rush for people to turn around and say they aren't taking up the space. I would also imagine that any children coming up from the Junior School would have had to pay a deposit already too. My dc's school sounds similar to the one you're talking about and we still had an offer letter for Year 7 like external candidates with the same requirement for deposits and notice periods. I know that this year especially very few children have turned down their offer of a place in Year 7 so there is likely to be less movement in the WL than previous years.

There may be some movement when the children are back after Easter as usually notice needs to be given before the start of the preceding term - so people not staying on in September will be giving notice in the next week or so. It depends on whether there is automatic progression from the junior school though - many will chose to stay just to avoid the 11+. If they have a lot leaving then I would expect a lot of movement after Easter.

Likewise, people holding into more than one independent school offer will most likely release one round about now to avoid having to pay the first term fees.

So I would expect some movement but maybe not heaps. It’s a large birth year and independent places are in demand in a lot of areas as a result of lockdown.

Thanks both. Zodlebud, that was my expectation too based on what a parent at the school told me, i.e. they have until start of next term (20/4) to give notice to avoid paying fees for the next terms. I think kids at this school do go to other selectives so fingers crossed.

Noting some schools will be starting back on 12th April (a week earlier or so)

My DS1 is currently at an indie in year 6. I know someone who has accepted their DC’s offer for the senior division and accepted a place at a super selective grammar. They have not had to pay anything so far as the school just holds the deposit from the prep division. Notice has to be given by the beginning of the summer term (19 April) so as to avoid paying a term’s fees so they will be making a decision in the next ten days.

I work in a prep school and you'd be surprised that even the day before they start in September we have parents letting us know their child will be going to the local state/grammar school and pulling out of the Year 7 place.