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!

He started this morning. He knows a lot of kids and good friends going to the current school. He won’t really know any at the top choice school so it will be tough to move. Atm he is up for it. It will depend on how well he settles. Frustrating when people don’t turn up. But maybe it will work to our advantage as some won’t move now they have bought the uniform and won’t want to inflict the stress of moving. One of the local schools doesn’t start until tomorrow and that might prompt a tiny bit of movement. Going to keep the faith until the end of the week.

@Turquoiseturtle3
Hope he has an amazing day.
You’re the same as me, he has more friends at current school but we can’t shift that nagging feeling of the 1st choice school. Plus it’s so much closer.
Maybe by the end of the week things will move a little xx here’s hoping xx

Sounds like we are in exactly the same boat. My husband isn’t keen on the switch but I am a bit like a dog with a bone. I need to seriously think because it’s been an obsession for 6 months now so maybe I’m just getting swept along with the desire of that school. Argh!!!

@Turquoiseturtle3 we sound exactly the same!
Plus I don’t like not getting something I want! I’m turning into Verruca Salt x

We are now #6 on WL and top choice school started yesterday. Can't see that many kids either no-showing or turning down late offers?
So bloody disheartening to be this close.
And going by historical data only a few places turn up over autumn term.
Am disappointed but DC doesn't know. She starts 2nd choice tomorrow.

We’re in the same boat. On one hand it makes total sense to stick with the school we have but there’s just a few things that niggle at me. But top choice school not perfect so I’m just torn 😞

But of course we don’t have a place so all moot and no decision for us to make yet 😞

Oh no, really sorry. You never know. It takes a while to process them as well. I was told that it can take a few weeks because they have to get confirmation the child has another place before they can offer that place. Sometimes they have to get the authorities involved etc.
The school I want offered 21 times last September. But only twice the year before. But it moved 13 places during the summer holidays and has only moved 1 place all summer. So I have everything crossed. It’s taking everything not to call the school to ask what’s happened.

I feel you. Sometimes we just have to go with our gut.

The situation is bordering on unbearable.

Are we the same person?! 😂

According to a friend, apparently 2 kids in one of the forms were no shows at our top choice school. My son also said 2 in his form didn’t turn up. I wonder if this will prompt any movement. May create a bit of churn which knocks on to the other schools. Another good school starts tomorrow whose catchment crosses over, so they might open up a few spaces also.

Sometimes no shows are because they have gone on holiday and will turn up next week

😓

Here we all are stressing about the kids missing out on the first few days and people are on holiday!! But yes, that sadly a good point.

Fingers crossed for you. Are there any pros for the 2nd choice schools ie: is it closer? Any friends going?

@Turquoiseturtle3
Yes, the 2nd choice school is much closer. She can walk it.

Tbh, the issue is just that we came sooo close to our top choice school, and got our hopes up. This time last year, the kids in her WL place would already have been offered a Y7 spot in July/August.

It's pure bad luck. Which is always hard to digest

Yes, to come so close is tough. Fingers crossed for you. You never know, some private people might be holding the place and give it up once they know for sure their kid is settled. I know one person who held tiffin girls until after the transition days as the kid wanted to test both schools. They released the place in July

Thanks, @Turquoiseturtle3

As pp said, my DC's new class today had 2 kids missing, so presumably that happens at all schools, even the most popular. They can't all be on holiday/sick..

I wonder how quickly the list moves? Say these two people are not taking up their places, when the next person is offered how long do they have to decide? I presume there won’t actually be that much movement this week by the time all of this is done

Yes I was thinking same thing. 5-7 days to receive an offer, 3 days to decide?

So 5 places have been offered this week apparently. It seems we have only moved 4 places though so another bloody late addition to the WL. Makes me so cross. The council only email with basic detail and I always have to go back to them with multiple questions. It will probably be another week for them to respond now. Infuriating.

It might not be a late addition, they might have been over PAN after an appeal or an EHCP and therefore they don't offer places until they are back at PAN. If that makes you feel any better?

Good luck anyway, where are you on the list now?

Good points. They have just come back to say all offers they have made this week have been accepted. So unlikely a place will come up any time soon.

Just worked out that we are suddenly now #2 on list. After 6 months waiting. Should I mention to DC or wait for an actual offer? Feel really bad for her. She's setting well at school but the first choice is a grammar she worked so hard for.

I think it would be fairer to wait for an actual offer @SleepyRooster . After all she may be position 10 or position 2 or 1 next week. That’s if you have all made your mind up that she will move. When I got the phone call they wanted a yes or no straight away. I managed to negotiate an hours grace to get hold of DC and DH to double check we were going to change.

Thanks @AnythingMuppetTM - How far into the autumn term were you?