School offers day 2023

[UsernameOfMine]

So.... secondary school offer day is almost upon us. How is everyone dealing with the wait?

My DD is thinking about it far more than I would have hoped, is counting down the days and asking everyday if they will come out early. She's angry at the council that they can't sort the whole process out in a week. Apparently it's "not that hard to sort it out"🤔 I have tried to explain the process and that it's not just her it's every other child in the district (and neighbouring district as we've applied for schools there too), but she's just being impatient to know.

I'm thinking about it...but I thought I'd be worse with her been dc2 and wanting her to go to the same school as dc1. (No sibling priority at that school) but she's got a good chance of it so trying not to stress.

So how about everyone else?

London eAdmissions site was updated at 5pm on the dot

My dd2's offer is on the eAdmissions website now. We are in a London Borough.

eAdmissions has crashed in London. I've been able to log in all day and now it's saying password not recognised. No email either yet. Aarrggghhh

@WisteriaLodge it really is. Judging by my experience so far I wouldn't be surprised if the council didn't see the cancel email and start a late application. I'm considering letting the dust settle for a week or so and take it from there. What I don't understand is if there are late applications, don't these get sorted first in date order before anyone can swap and change? Or do the ones who already have an offer get first dibs? Were there places at the undersubscibed school thiz morning but people had taken them by this afternoon, hence their being a waiting list now?

Finally got in, first choice. Phew

@PanelChair I don't think my council email people back. You can email them but they don't email specific replies. I think I will hold onto my original place and let the dust settle for a week or so. I'm not at all confident in them right now not to leave me with no place. I would assume I'd be top of a waiting list or very close as I'm a stones throw from the school we'd change (there must be about 10 houses between us and the school so I think I'd get a place quickly. I dont actually believe there is a waiting list or that the spaces are filled tbh.

Also, Tappetytap I'm not sure if I fill in a late application either, it's all so confusing..

Second choice but happy. London results went up online at 5 exactly but only got email recently. I think they put London last as it would crash site if at the same time as other areas

Yes we got our first choice!!!

We got the school we expected, we will stay on waiting lists but its a solid option - dd will be a bit disappointed but as London all is nor over - and it's really a decent option.

@GobblingGyozas and @ElvenDreamer thanks for the explanations! Makes sense

Hi there, really need some help please. This is 3rd time at doing this, however previous 2 older kids both went to grammar - and I thought that was stressful. Anyway youngest did not get any of his 3 choices, and instead allocated the local reprobate school. Choice 1 is a Catholic school, we are not Catholic's but are 'other Christian' denomination. Anyway website and open evening both said that in previous years, everyone that puts the school No1 and completes the SIF has been offered a place, we are 0.4 miles away..... cue this year, there's been 800 applications for 200 places, I'm hearing some closer than me and some siblings not offered. I've put his name on this and the other 2 waiting lists, and now need to compile my appeals, but don't know where to start. I understand the concept of the appeal, but any pointers on what to emphasise on would be good? I'm thinking faith, distance, ethos,
Incidentally my daughter has been offered a place there for 6th form, the guy called me yesterday to confirm this, and through conversation I mentioned my son. He told me he was going to speak to the head my daughter (For reference is an A* student, and also an elite athlete, so they are really keen to have her). He called me back to say he's explained the situation to the head, and if my son is anything like her, then obviously that's a great asset to the school and told me the head would call me today to discuss what I should put in the appeal. So what do we think of this, he hasn't called yet - but I'm keen to crack on. Meeting with son's headteacher Monday too, so she will write a supporting letter, he's also bright, exceeding in his curriculum, plays football for the district, basketball etc...
Really hope with all your experience someone can send me some words of wisdom. Thank-you

Faith and distance are not grounds for winning an appeal. You need to identify things that this school offers that are missing from the allocated school and that are particularly relevant to your son. This could be subjects, extra-curricular activities, pastoral care and so on. You are trying to show that the disadvantage to your son from not being admitted outweighs any problems the school will face from having to admit another pupil.

@Mumonamission1979 As prh says, faith/distance/ethos aren't relevant - they are preferences, not needs. Nor does the fact he's a nice bright child.

The sport might be a good one to explore if the school you want offers good opportunities to participate in the sports he excels at. Does the school have successful football or basketball team?

With regards to the appeal school supporting the appeal for a specific child, they cannot do that explicitly. The suggestion that they would like him to join (over and above others who appeal, or who are on the waiting list) is not a factor in an appeal, and is expressly forbidden in the Appeals Code, so panels will disregard any evidence of the sort from the school. So you many find the Head doesn't call if they have a moment to think about it...

I agree with prh and Patricia.

Arguments about faith, distance and ethos will not make for a winning appeal. You need to highlight things the preferred school offers (perhaps such as sport) which will benefit your child and where they will be disadvantaged if they don’t get them.

I don't know how usual this is, but I was pleased to have already received a lovely welcome letter from our DD's new school.

@MadameSzyszkoBohusz some send out on offers day. It's lovely that high schools make the kids feel valued

We called it her "Hogwarts letter" ☺️

Yes the same here received letters on Saturday from new school one for DS and one for me, really lovely.

We had a letter and then when I replied saying I couldn't get through to admissions and which council did I need to ring to accept the place (it's across LEA borders) - they chased it up around the council and did it all for me.

Hell is breaking loose in Nottinghamshire by all accounts though - people are being sent ridiculous distances to a school with a series of very "interesting" inspection reports - there's 2 out of DD1's class been allocated there (and it's a junction up the motorway), another 4-5 I know of in the local area and another one who is about an hour away that's been in the local paper for it. I shall admit to not being devastated that DD1's completely unsuitable "boyfriend" is one of the kids sent all the way out of there though.

@CoffeeWithCheese how on earth are they going to get them if up the motorway?!?

Absolutely no idea! They're either going to have to put some bus provision on or up the intake at one of the local schools or something - this was a problematically big cohort at primary level around here as well where a lot of kids were allocated a school having a really difficult period (it's turned itself around since then) and refusing to take up reception places then as well - so they've known it was coming.

@ShowOfHands did your son get a place on medical & social grounds?? Curious as my daughter didn’t and I’m going to have to appeal 😞

It is a big cohort, catchment reduced at almost every school in my area and some children didn't get a place at all. I suspect they're relying on some people who didn't get the grammar's going private to free up the places or don't know what they'll do with those kids.

He did get in but I don't know which category he was admitted under.

Start a thread re the appeal and you'll get lots of support.