School applications when first two choices are private?

[ScrumpyTree]

Sorry. New to all of this and just wondering.

Our eldest is currently Y5 and our favourite 2 local schools to send her for Y7 are both independent (& selective)

So I take it that we will still absolutely be worth applying as usual for our state schools in order of preference.

As she will need to both pass the entrance exams and be offered bursaries/scholarships for it to be feasible that she attends either of her top 2 options. (Chances are high but I don't want to act like it's guaranteed.)

So my question is -

Is there a difference in what we'd do for our state application - would we inform them that hopefully we wouldn't be taking a space? Or is there quite a lot of movement in general anyway?

No, you rank your state schools in order of choice, just like everyone else.
Why would they need to know you may not accept your choice if offered?

@ScrumpyTree , the 2 processes have no cross over, you decline the state school if you don't want it. Private school offers generally are released before state school offers.

You should apply in the normal way, but let them know as soon as possible that you won't be taking up the space if you get a place at a school you prefer.

Lots of people apply and then end up not taking their place for a range of reasons. The empty place will just go to the next child on the list, so don't worry about the place being wasted!

Totally separate procedure.

Apply for the state schools as normal- they don't need to know and won't ask if you're applying to private schools as well.

If you get a private school you are happy with you turn down your state school offer but there is no rush to do this. You may have to 'accept' it in some areas- we didn't- it was automatically accepted.

When we turned down our state school offer we were asked where DCs would be going? I think is to make sure DCs are staying in education.

The state system doesn't care or need to know if you are planning on later opting to pay for private schooling. You apply exactly as everyone else does, put your state school preferences in your genuine order of preference. Include your catchment school as one of the three. You will be offered a place on the national offer day. You can even accept the place offered and then later withdraw your child once you have a private school place confirmed.

Waiting lists for state schools move along because children who have a private school place don't take up their offered place in September and so places become available for those waiting.

The two processes are entirely separate. We just did both and had a mental list of the two processes combined (we had a favourite indie that was top, but would have gone for our favourite states if DD had got into those but not her favourite indie over our second favourite indie).

In the end we got our favourite indie and turned down our state school place once we had accepted the indie.

You should apply for state in the normal way and I would recommend going to open evenings so your 6 choices have some logic to them. If for whatever reason the indies don’t work out then you need a state school.

If the indies do work out you simply turn down whatever state option you are given - or accept it. Some states (esp Grammars) are more desirable than indies.

The two processes run in parallel and you should do both. Typically private school offers are made early/mid February and State schools March 1st. Occasionally acceptances for private places reach maximum before state places are out, with outstanding offers cancelled (exploding offers) but usually the acceptance deadline allows time to receive a State offer before committing to a private place. If you decide to take a private place you just decline your State offer and the place is reallocated.

Thanks everyone.

My assumption was to do both alongside each other. But not knowing anyone in real life who has been through the process I really appreciate the input.

We've registered already for the 2 independent schools and attended information sessions etc.

And have looked at 4 of our local states and definitely have a favourite so will certainly make sure to apply in good time and also look at the 2 other closest state schools that we've not yet seen.