If in London and you got a place at your preferred school via the waiting list, how far down were you and how long did you have to wait for your place?

[CloudsOverHead]

We're 40+ on the waiting list for our preferred school (250 intake) but before any second round offers were made. I was told by the admissions people that there was a lot of movement to come (in London so always lots moving in/out/going private) but don't know whether to hold hopes high or assume it's never going to happen.

In previous years, I know people who were in the 60s on the list (same school) who got their place in early April but others who only moved from 50ish to 30ish before giving up in August.

Really interested to hear other experiences please!

@Turquoiseturtle3 when I did this last year there was a big jump in offers after transition day so I think they definitely chase up any no shows to find out why.

Oooh, great. Thanks. Fingers crossed for movement.

I know someone who is holding onto a tiffin girls and indie place. They are trying both transition days so you never know, there might be a bit more of that this year.

Are all of the appeals now over and places allocated if successful? Is there a way of finding that info out from the council or not?

hi all, does anyone have any updates? Pls can I double check - are the private school fees now locked in for the first term? I know some are due after the induction day so was hoping this might prompt a bit of movement. Thanks

Still making offers. And there are still some who we're sure have private places that are holding onto their offers, so just won't turn up in September.

It’s so annoying that people are holding two places. There should be some kind of penalty if you accept a state place and then fail to turn up on day 1

I wonder how much movement there is once the summer holidays start. I know lots of schools have already broken up now :-(

I agree.

I do know of one family who held a place until recently as they wanted to have all the paperwork for a scholarship all sorted. I can appreciate that situation.

We keep moving forward on our list about 1 space a week. So edging forward but still only in the high teens.

There is some movement over the holidays, that’s when my DC got their place last year. Do the schools you want do a summer school? I think summer school prompted a bit of movement for us when people didn’t turn up again.

No summer schools as far as I’m aware. I’m going to contact the council again next week in the hope that there has been some movement since the inductions over the last few weeks.

Yes, I totally get there are some acceptable reasons such as divorce or making sure things are finalised. But to just not turn up on the first day without notifying anyone is so rude and mean on the other families waiting.

We started at 38 on wait list, moved to 44. (This was for 70 places in Sw London - the other 280 were location / sibling places).

I watched all the way through May June July as she slowly moved down - we could log on and it changed nearly every Friday. By middle of august she was 6 - so a lot above us had taken private or been offered grammar school probably. At that point I called admissions to find out 3/4 were out for offer. I crossed my fingers but it didn't happen.

She was number 2 by the end of august. I bought her a uniform just in case - could take it back in 28 days. The school had a final new starters induction day on the Friday. They called at 4.30 to say two kids didn't turn up. She started on the Monday - first day of lessons!

So don't give up!!

So happy for you - what a rollercoaster!!! Will remain hopeful

@CloudsOverHead

You may find you move faster in august - many people may have mentally prepared for the other school bought uniform etc so will turn down an offer. We started at 47 and got a place day before term started which we turned down.

Yes, that’s the hope! Whether it happens is another thing

@christmastreefarm that's where I think we’ll be. I had started to mentally commit and then transition day reminded me why I preferred the other one… We’ll see I guess.

DD moved from 5th on a 30ish list ( banding) on the first day of the summer holiday.

Anyone had any joy?
I hadn’t called for a few weeks (did tell myself not to call at all but hey).
We were mid teens for the whole of June, zero movement at all.

Called yesterday and we are 11.
Have everything crossed. Wondering if I should have left it another week after transition day as I know people have 10 days to accept/ decline offers x

I contacted the council yesterday and found out today that we are 3rd!!!

@Turquoiseturtle3 OMG!! Amazing! Have everything crossed for you x

Thank you - and you!!! I feel like it’s totally gonna happen and then flip to we’re going to miss out. Such a hard place to be with the constant waiting and hoping.

@Turquoiseturtle3 I think you will be absolutely fine, sending good vibes.
It’s so unsettling.
I am still not optimistic for our place x

Do you have any information of how many offers they have made for the last few years? Might help put your mind at rest. 11 places doesn’t seem much especially when people start rejecting offers because they have already bought uniform etc. fingers crossed

We’ve moved backwards a few places. So disappointed. Are now 5th. Very much one step forward and 2 steps back.
I was really hoping that some people may make their decision before the summer holidays but doesn’t look like that has happened. And the worry now is those who have private and state would have given those up if were no shows at the transition day.