Waiting list in the number 20s

[210giraffe]

1st choice school -Queensmead- we are number 20 , I cant check the waiting list because the school is closed for summer

2nd choice - Whitmore - we are 24 now , from 18 last week (im not holding hope)

both schools are over subscribed

My daughter and I really wants Queensmead.
I was wondering if anyone has got into a school from being 20 in the waiting list? They do straight line distance. We are 1 mile away. I've viewed a property closer to it available from 31st july (0.4 miles) and theres another one (0.6 miles) available now but unfurnished.(not keen on unfurnished)

The main reason I want her to go there is for a Child Development GCSE option they can choose in year 9 that no other schools around here . I'm considering moving or should I just stay here and hope a and see the position in September and hope for the best by year 9? maybe move nearer that time?

I don't know the schools, but you'd be incredibly fortunate to get a place with so many ahead. You're effectively looking for more than half a class to withdraw!

Why are you so keen on that GCSE? It's not something that will particularly benefit your daughter later on, it's not a required subject for any higher courses. Also keep in mind that the subject may not be available in three years time.

Gcse options could be changed in the meantime, depending on demand and staffing. There are btec equivalents which might be more relevant and available at college/sixth form, and more recognised for a career working with children. Did you appeal?

I wouldn’t move for a school based on 1 gcse that your daughter might not even want to take or might not be available by the time she is in year 9

Yeah , failed the appeal

I wanted to add it's not solely because of the GCSE. They've had this GCSE for quite a few years now Both of the schools are outstanding and she knows a lot of people from her primary going to each one. We just missed out on the distance for both. The school she's accepted into used to be outstanding but is now downgraded to good and have only just lowered high levels of exclusion

@Orf1abc

I don't know the schools, but you'd be incredibly fortunate to get a place with so many ahead. You're effectively looking for more than half a class to withdraw!

Why are you so keen on that GCSE? It's not something that will particularly benefit your daughter later on, it's not a required subject for any higher courses. Also keep in mind that the subject may not be available in three years time.

I was more thinking people moving in the holidays, or being accepted in to other schools from now till July or in September they'll think I'm quite low down and happy with where I am and ask to be removed. Lol

The second school I was 32 at one point and moved up 11 places a few months ago

@LIZS @Orf1abc @nancy75

I don't know the schools or your area, but I would say it's highly unlikely at this point you would get a place by September.
What I would suggest is to make sure after school begins in September that the preferred school keep you on the waiting list and that you still definitely want a place.
As places become available (and TBF they may not!) I find that parents don't accept them because their child has settled and is happy at the school they were allocated.

Moving closer will move you up the list (though they may have LAC, SEND, or siblings that are higher on the list, that you wouldn't be able to leapfrog even if you were across the road from the school) so if that's what you want, then move. Or you could leave it, see how your dd settles in, and if she's happy leave her where she is.

I would advise no-one to take a vocational GCSE- if she wants an 'easier' one, take something fun like music, art or PE (they're not easy at all, btw, but if that's where her strengths and interests are will be more enjoyable).
If she's interested in child development then there are lots of courses available at college, after she's got a range of GCSEs.

You never know…but I wouldn’t pin your hopes on it.

We were number 11 on the waiting list for a heavily oversubscribed, outstanding secondary school for DD in mid August last year, and she was offered a place the week before term started. So somehow or some way 11 places became available, who knows how or why?!

Also second keeping on the waiting list and in touch after September if you don’t get in. There was some movement in the first term at my DD’s school. Two new kids joined her class in the first term, and another joined in Spring Term.

I think there potentially could be a lot of movement yet. In person transition events haven't happened which would have typically flushed out no shows. Also don't assume that everyone on the WL ahead of you would accept a place if offered it, particularly the closer we get to Sept. I think one person giving up a place could quickly trigger a significant movement down the rankings.

I'm also hoping for movement. Sitting in 4th currently....

Do you know how much you missed out on distance wise? How comfortably would 0.6 put you within the distance. You need to consider that a few higher up might be siblings or have other reasons for a higher priority so even if it originally went out to 0.9 miles it doesn't mean that all those students are further now. Will either of the moves place you closer to your second option as well?

I presume that you are renting now, they might want to see that this is a genuine move rather than just to be closer. When can you vacate your current rental?

@Cattitudes my tenancy is until March 2022 my landlord says 'you would normally give two months notice. If you need to move earlier I can advertise the property and try to get some one sooner'

The last distance offered was 0.964 miles
The distance I got from them is that I'm 1.03miles.
But with various straight line distance maps I've used online I'm 1.1 miles away so and when i asked the distance of another address closer it was less than what the internet maps were saying.

I asked what criteria are the people above is it just distance and how are the distances worked out? The lady said she doesn't know how the distances are worked out they get them from the council.(the admissions guide says straight line) but their calculation seems to knock a bit of the distance I get. I don't think siblings are taken into account unless it's an on time application.

The second choice last distance offered was 0.79miles. I'm 0.84miles

Moving would put us at 1.32 miles for the 2nd choice

We had released queensmead place few days ago after being offered higher preference. Hope your wait is over soon.

Also would like to add that we were still receiving letters from Queensmead in regard to transition so I emailed the school to update the records. Our offer should had been withdrawn automatically after higher preference was offered during half term.So, there might be technical issue or delay in updating their waiting list.

@Cattitudes how can someone prove it is or isn't a genuine move though ?

@Confusedmum11plus21 thank you . This is the kind of thing I'm hoping for. Maybe some haven't been like you and haven't emailed to reject the place. My friend emailed a school to reject them and they said she had to email harrow admissions and then they would stop sending stuff. So I think you have to email Hillingdon admissions to reject places though I'm not sure.

@Confusedmum11plus21 I (hope)wonder if we're talking about the same Queensmead..

Yeah, Queensmead in South Ruislip as I know both queensmead and whitmore schools.

@Confusedmum11plus21 oh good thanks