Like any other school, you should look up the commitment dates in the admission's calendar (deposits to be paid, contract to be signed, etc) as the waiting list is likely to move soon after those dates. I would email the registrar's office after those days, reiterating your commitment to Wincoll as your first choice of school and attaching you child's latest academic reports and co-curricular resumes / certificates.
Another way to tell if the frequency of negative comments about Wincoll during those weeks 😊I still remember visiting MN before taking the next step prescribed, and I was almost fooled by the sudden negativity coming from various sources... until I realised that the tiger mums are likely out in packs around those days, and for weeks thereafter!
There are also several scholarship routes in Y8 (academic, sport, music) which is an excellent way for a second try if your son happens to be a late boomer, as his performance on those days is the one and only thing that matters.
The most amazing thing about Wincoll is that even though these kids are really well selected and top performers both in school and outside, they still have a sort of cool, calm and collected demeanour about them. No anxiety and loads of camaraderie. Wincoll can take a lot of credit for this: boys are kept very busy from 8am until 9.30pm and while they are obviously in the 'zone' there is no feeling of being under pressure as it is all done in a 'flow'.
DS is in College and we are very happy with our choice.