Waiting lists for year 7 or re appeal?

[HarryHHarry]

My child didn't receive a place at our chosen school we appealed but was unsuccessful only 3 out of 30 got a place. We are number 7 on the waiting list but this is only until December then they get rid of the waiting list! can I apply in January when they no longer have a waiting list?
We are moving into the catchment area in the next few weeks so wondering if its worth appealing again because our situation has changed? or do I need to wait until next year to apply for year 8?

Any advise is much apricated we are waiting for a ASD assessment and a EHCNA so have a lot going on and having a school place will help so much.

You should get bumped up the waiting list if you move closer

As far as I'm aware, you can't appeal twice in an admissions round- if you feel the appeal was incorrect, then there is a process to follow.

Moving closer will bump you up the waiting list.

If you are able to get an ECHP naming the school, that guarantees you a place, so although it will take time, that may be the best option to pursue.

You can appeal again for the same year, but only if you have a "significant and material change". I would suggest that a local move doesn't meet that (I sit on appeals panels).

You need to be clear what the process is once the list is disbanded; some schools then ask again if you want to be on the list and continue just with those who say yes at that point, whilst some don't maintain an ongoing list.

Moving closer is likely to move you up the list though, so I would make sure you let the admissions authority know as soon as you can prove the move.

In December they remove people from the wait list as quite often parents are reluctant to move their child once they’ve settled in the school they started in, and no point in keeping all those on the list unless they really want to be there. The waiting list still continues to exist but you need to reapply to be on it. Also, if your circumstances change from those you originally applied under (ie change of address) then let school know asap as they will need to update their records and it could move you further up the waiting list.
I’m not sure you can re-appeal at this stage, as another poster said, but you can in the next school year, so I’d you haven’t got a place by then but still want one, then is your opportunity. A EHCP naming the school would automatically get you a place there, even if there were no spaces, but the likelihood of getting one of those anytime soon is probably small. I’d say your best bet is the waiting list, especially if you jump up a few places due to moving closer. If I were you, I’d contact the school to let them know the situation to ensure they know you want a place and want to remain on the wait list, ask them what they need from you to ensure they have your most up to date info and when you need to let them know you want to remain on the list. A lot of schools e -mail to say they are taking you off the list and you have to reapply to stay on, but in case they don’t you want to make sure you get back on it at the right time. Good luck!

The waiting list still continues to exist but you need to reapply to be on it..

Not necessarily. As I said above, OP needs to be clear what does happen - it could be that she needs to request to continue, but it could be that the list simply disappears, as some admissions authorities don't operate ongoing waiting lists. It is a requirement to have one until the end of the first term of an admittance year, but not after that.

@HarryHHarry your local authority should have a Secondary Admissions Brochure and an In-Year Admissions brochure on its website - try googling if you can't find them. One or both of them should tell you the local waiting list procedure. However, if the school is an academy and operates its own in-year admissions process the brochures may refer you to the school website instead.

You have my sympathy. We had similar with unsuccessful appeal (despite asd referral) and good reasons. We did get a space by waiting list luckily. Not ideal with the asd though.

When did you get a place off the waiting list? was it after September once the students had all started?

There is sometimes movement a couple of weeks into September, once they have followed up kids who just don't turn up in September and established that they have moved away and aren't just off ill. Make sure you tell them as soon as your address changes. It may even be worth making sure that they know when your address is due to change - it would be rather frustrating if a place goes to someone else between you sending the evidence and them receiving it.