ISEBs and waiting lists

bbqjunkie · 2022-06-28T13:00:48+00:00

Have many of you found their averagely academic, averagely sporty child hasn't got a place at an independent secondary school following the year 6 ISEBs? Have you got any advice as we are reapplying in year 7 and I want to be armed this time! To any current year 7/8 parents whose child was waitlisted, how did it turn out for you and when did you get a place from the waiting list? Did you reapply and have more luck or get in from the original waiting list? Thanks for any advice!

TypsTrycks · 28/06/2022 15:28

ISEBs are so weird that either you get a lot of offers or you get a lot of waitlists. I don’t know many children who’ve got a mix of offers and waitlists.

My only advice would be to wait - I know people who are sitting on multiple offers and they will be giving up offers soon. There are deadlines for September and January, so lots of places will open up then.

SW1Mummy · 28/06/2022 16:15

Can you clarify which year group you are applying to OP ?

When you talk about re-applying in year 7, I assume you mean different schools from the original you applied to in yr6? and that you are talking about Shells/y9/13+ entry?

If that is the case, I was not aware that if you were not successful for your yr6 ISEB, you can sit for the same schools the next year, because ISEBs are age-adaptive. So, if a school is interested in you, you get waitlisted.

Yes, a lot of people sit on offers. Sometimes, till the very last minute.

Usually a school will have a deadline for paying the lump sum acceptance deposit, a lot of multiple offer candidates will release a space at this point. If they are on a waiting list to another school they desire more, they will keep their 2nd/3rd choice, and only drop it once they are quite sure what they are choosing. Some schools may ask waitlisted candidates to keep on sending in their school reports, usually end of the term. They may do this till end of yr8

My nephew was on a waiting list for a very popular school, his Head suggested he push an intense course for 2yrs on his favourite, but rare instrument that he was very good in (but he had only recently started it, and it was not that clear to his parents that he was particularly gifted in it). He actually got a music scholarship in yr8. So only then did he release two other firm offers, from his 2nd and 3rd choice. He kept his 3rd choice as they were still deliberating logistics.

What does your Headteacher say?

SW1Mummy · 28/06/2022 16:19

He kept his 3rd choice as they were still deliberating logistics.
*By this, I mean the reason he sat on 2 schools in the first place was because they were torn about the logistics of accepting either 2nd or 3rd choice. Each had different, but equal pros and cons.
In the end, he went for choice1, when he was moved up the waitlist.🙂

Original poster

bbqjunkie · 28/06/2022 17:11

SW1Mummy · 28/06/2022 16:15

Can you clarify which year group you are applying to OP ?

When you talk about re-applying in year 7, I assume you mean different schools from the original you applied to in yr6? and that you are talking about Shells/y9/13+ entry?

If that is the case, I was not aware that if you were not successful for your yr6 ISEB, you can sit for the same schools the next year, because ISEBs are age-adaptive. So, if a school is interested in you, you get waitlisted.

Yes, a lot of people sit on offers. Sometimes, till the very last minute.

Usually a school will have a deadline for paying the lump sum acceptance deposit, a lot of multiple offer candidates will release a space at this point. If they are on a waiting list to another school they desire more, they will keep their 2nd/3rd choice, and only drop it once they are quite sure what they are choosing. Some schools may ask waitlisted candidates to keep on sending in their school reports, usually end of the term. They may do this till end of yr8

My nephew was on a waiting list for a very popular school, his Head suggested he push an intense course for 2yrs on his favourite, but rare instrument that he was very good in (but he had only recently started it, and it was not that clear to his parents that he was particularly gifted in it). He actually got a music scholarship in yr8. So only then did he release two other firm offers, from his 2nd and 3rd choice. He kept his 3rd choice as they were still deliberating logistics.

What does your Headteacher say?

Thanks - DS is in year 6 now applying for 13+ 2024. We will apply to 2 (maybe more) totally fresh schools next term but I wondered if it’s worth reapplying to the one we are waitlisted for or just hanging tight, and, like you say, hoping there are enough confirmed places who end up attending a different choice. There are 2 kids in our class who have both accepted 4 places. I’m not sure at what stage they will give one or more up as money clearly isn’t a problem for them.

You are right in that those who have got places have got all or most of their choices or none at all! It’s been an eye-opening experience that has caused a surprising amount of stress and uncertainty. Our school doesn’t support CE, otherwise we might have applied to the more northern CE schools but geography is still a factor.

OP posts:

njshore · 30/06/2022 23:34

Why are you applying in Year 7 and not Year 8 for 13+ entry? I'd keep in contact with the schools you are currently Waitlisted in case of any movement and tell them you'd accept right away, if offered. Also, let them know that your son would be happy to resit any exam in Year 8 to move off Waitlist. I know some secondary schools offer this opportunity as some boys may not qualify in Year 6 but may have improved by Year 8. If you have a good Head, he or she should be advocating on your behalf with this particular school. I would also apply to new schools, just in case.

Btw, where was your Head when your son went through this process? It's your school's responsibility to get you at least one school-that's what you're paying for, assuming it's private.