Secondary waitlist realistic expectations?

Sarahemeliarose · 2023-05-31T06:52:47+00:00

Hi all, today I found out we are 19th on the waitlist for our preferred school. We are waiting on our appeal date. I know this is a ‘how longs a piece of string’ question but based where we are in the wait list of a 270 pan school, am I realistic having any sort of glimmer of hope? Looking for previous experiences of similar situations? Thanks in advance

HarryHHarry · 31/05/2023 08:42

My son started at number 7 in March and is now 12! some children with EHCPs had applied and people had moved into the area so they all automatically jumped in front of him.

Original poster

Sarahemeliarose · 31/05/2023 09:25

It’s agonising waiting and having the ‘what it’s’ in my head isn’t it. I’ve spoken positively to my daughter about the school we have been offered and have come to peace with it if it doesn’t change but im secretly praying it does 😔

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sunshineandshowers40 · 31/05/2023 09:30

It really depends where you lives. I'm in the SE and before Covid you probably would have been offered a place by the beginning of September but less people are going private and less families seem to be moving to other areas for work. Also more housing is being built so more families are moving to the area.

Does your DC have friends going to their current school?

Butterflyheart · 31/05/2023 10:03

We were 25th on offers day, and I think around beginning of May we were 21, haven't checked recently but I'm the same as you, just keeping some hope! Hopefully you get your appeal dates so

redskylight · 31/05/2023 10:09

I think you answered your own question that it's a "how long is a piece of string" type query.

But things that will influence are: are many children likely to go to private school (and free up a place)? Are you in an area where there is lots of mobility (though double edged sword as people can move in as well as out)? Are people ahead of you on the waiting list likely to be happy with their assigned school (and not take up the space at desired school, even if a place opens up)?

19th would be a very long shot round here, but there aren't many going to private school and the main peak of mobility is before Year 6, not the summer between Year 6 and 7. Your area may be different.

weareallout · 31/05/2023 11:29

In our area a hugely popular school was offering DC wait list places 50-100 by November. Others higher up had settled at schools they got allocated and turned places down by then. Happens every year

Original poster

Sarahemeliarose · 31/05/2023 11:49

redskylight · 31/05/2023 10:09

I think you answered your own question that it's a "how long is a piece of string" type query.

But things that will influence are: are many children likely to go to private school (and free up a place)? Are you in an area where there is lots of mobility (though double edged sword as people can move in as well as out)? Are people ahead of you on the waiting list likely to be happy with their assigned school (and not take up the space at desired school, even if a place opens up)?

19th would be a very long shot round here, but there aren't many going to private school and the main peak of mobility is before Year 6, not the summer between Year 6 and 7. Your area may be different.

I think it’s a long shot where we live also 🙄😬. We are in South Yorkshire, I don’t think there will be particularly much movement now either but then again I’ve never been in this situation before. We only applied a month ago as we have just moved to the area. She doesn’t know a single person at the school she’s been assigned. My daughter is quite outgoing and resilient so I’m hoping come transition days she’s more settled with the school situation.

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Original poster

Sarahemeliarose · 31/05/2023 11:50

Butterflyheart · 31/05/2023 10:03

We were 25th on offers day, and I think around beginning of May we were 21, haven't checked recently but I'm the same as you, just keeping some hope! Hopefully you get your appeal dates so

Praying for you also 😬

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Mydusa · 31/05/2023 12:10

It seems a long shot to me I'm afraid!

In Y7 there will be lots of children in a similar boat. Plenty won't have their usual friends in their classes and will also be looking for new alliances. A lot of schools keep tutor groups mostly together in Y7 which gives them a good chance to find their feet and make new friends.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 02/06/2023 20:18

I think it totally depends on your area unfortunately. I used to teach in a university town, which was also nearish to some grammar schools and private options. The school I taught at was probably also the second choice in the area rather than the first (and by the time I'd left had probably dropped to 3rd or 4th choice for some people). I think at that school you'd very likely get offered a place. As others have said, as you get closer to September, people start turning down places as well because their children have been on transition days to other schools, they've bought uniform etc.

Previous schools I've worked at were rural, only school in the town type situations, and you'd often get no movement at all- those who were going private would have decided before applications even came around. It wasn't the sort of place where lots of families were moving, either.

My current school is a bit different- it's a newish school, but becoming very popular. This is the first year we're operating a real waiting list, and we've honestly no idea. We're probably the first choice in the town now, but don't know how much movement there will be in terms of people moving for work etc. I think I'd be surprised if we offered beyond place 10 or so, but again, we might end up with lots of people turning down waiting list places!

Priyavk1 · 07/06/2023 19:46

This is my predicament too. We are WL 13 and 15 for our preferred choices.

And 36, 40 and 166 !!!!

The school we have been allocated is average and at a distance so like others we are praying for that fabled movement too

Sarahemeliarose you are not alone 🙏