Offers day: 1st March 2024

[Jbrown76]

Anyone nervous, slightly apprehensive?

This time next week I'm going to be anxious!

Snap!

I’m so ready for it to be over.. the wait has felt like forever!

Very impatient wait here. My girls sat the 11plus, we’re in a super selective area and one twin did exceptionally well and could pick from any of the 5 grammars in the county. Her sister didn’t do as well and scrapped through with two choices so it’s no guarantee. I am dreading next week, I just hope it’s good news for them both.

Anyone else's child picked a school for first preference where they will most likely know nobody? He was adamant and it's our closest school, and says hes not bothered going on his own. It's hit and miss if he will get it but I'm still nervous for him and hope if he does get it he won't end up having a wobble over it when they all find out where they are going!

Yes and he is now having a wobbly and wants to go to a school with all his friends 🙈

Hopebridge oh no bless him. This is what I'm dreading after offer day. He may not even get in yet but can't help it 🙈 it's much too long a wait!

I think the long wait makes it so hard for them :(

I am feeling nervous. Going by previous admissions, all our nearest schools have very small catchments which we are just outside. We would be very happy with any of them if we can get a place. We put a "banker" at #6 which seems to have no catchment but is also (unsurprisingly) not such a good school as the ones closer. There is only one grammar school in the area and I don't think DC scored high enough to get in but we put that one first just in case.

I think the most likely scenario is that we will get #6 and then have to hope for a waiting list place at a closer school.

@Hopebridge @Flametornado once offers are our yes the DC tend to all start getting heard round it. But loads of focus on new beginnings & exciting aspects will help plus reassurance they will still see old mates will lessen anxiety

Thank you

My DD made new mates as well as existing ones, my DS has school mates old and new but still sees his 2 best old school mates who went to different school every week and has a great balance.

You can get it even later as a waiting list.

Good luck everyone. I'm an appeals chair and I think I'll have a busy time ahead!

If you appeal, please read the information given to you. Evidence is really important to me so if you have any please send it in advance of your appointment.
Evidence on the day is frequently not considered.
Again, good luck and don't forget that panels are unpaid volunteers who want the best for your children and also the children and staff already in the schools you want. Please don't threaten us - yes that does happen sadly.

I would love to learn from somebody who is in the panel, like yourself, on what basis people appeal-? When it comes to catchment places based on distance it all works on mathematical formula of proximity, and before that siblings, looked after etc. Unless somebody was granted EHCP between the time of application and the national offer day, or moved significantly closer to the school for legit reasons, they got an injury and have to travel to school this and not another way...I cannot possibly imagine on what grounds people would appeal?

Things such as subjects/sports/clubs offered by one school & not the other, for example triple science vs double science for a child with a proven interest in science.

@RedFluffyPanda At secondary (and KS2 as well) there aren't legal class size limits and the grounds for achieving an appeal are therefore wider than for Infants.

You have to show that the detriment to your child from not being accepted is greater than the detriment to the school by taking on an extra pupil.

You can't use Ofsted or GCSE results or usually travel or friends, but you can use extra curricular things like orchestras, sports, science clubs, and also thing like MFLs offered. You need to show why these are particularly beneficial for your DC.

Most people appeal on grounds that stand no chance of success - transport difficulties, friendship groups, etc.

Being granted an EHCP would not be reason for appeal. No appeal would be needed. The child would be admitted even if the school was already full.

Moving closer to the school may move you up the waiting list. It is not grounds for a successful appeal.

There are two ways to appeal successfully:

1. Show that a mistake has been made in the admissions process that has cost your child a place.
2. Show that the disadvantage to your child from not being admitted outweighs any problems the school will face from having to cope with an additional pupil.

For those who don't get the school they want and are thinking of appealing, if you want advice please start a separate thread, ideally with the word "appeal" in the title. You will then get advice from myself and the other experts who post here.

I will keep an eye on this thread and offer advice if I see anyone asking, but I can't guarantee to spot all requests on the thread.

I just ask out of curiosity. I have no intention of appealing. I live in catchment of many great schools.

Thank you for responding, guys. Interesting 🤔

V v nervous! My DD is convinced she is going to her 1st place school; there is no catchment area/sibling factor, if you get a 'yes' letter the expectation is that you'll be offered a place and children she knows who have siblings at this school have all told her it's a done deal. But of course it's not a done deal until the deal is done! I can't believe how long the wait is; this isn't my first time with a child applying for secondary school but I swear it gets longer each time!

Is it a grammar school?

Yep (I think I recognise your username from the Devon grammar thread the other day!)