2024 waiting list/appeal support thread

[Hopeful88]

I thought I'd start a support thread for everyone in the same position - either waiting on appeal outcomes or hoping for a secondary school place from a waiting list.
I've read all the advice I can and I'm doing the best I can but I'm still struggling with the unknown.
We're currently in the 20s on the waiting list for our first choice school and an unknown number for the second choice.
Fingers crossed for everyone in the same position. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Thanks . I'll know more when I get their reasons to read as well won't I

Stage One appeal was a no. Not disappointed as it was expected. It was good to see the panel and know the environment so we can prepare for Stage Two. Can only cope with one thing at a time at the moment!

I was surprised how few parents attended for Stage One.

@AllSuggestionsTaken so was your appeal in person and I take it on separate days ? Ours is via teams and I was assuming it was all happen on the same day. Good luck with stage two

@willowtolive Yes it was in person. All the parents together, three panel members and the clerk sitting together and two reps from the school sitting together, all in the same room. The panel took about 15 minutes to reach their decision.

The school gave their reasons first, then the panel asked the school questions, then the parents had a chance to ask questions. Then the panel left to decide in private.

All very amenable and the panel were friendly.

Stage two will also be in person but isn’t for a couple of days. I think arrangements vary between schools.

I’ve tried to put it out of my mind for a few days, but I keep getting waves of panic.

Our waiting list still hasn't moved even one place. I can't believe it. We're 5th but it seems hopeless. We are 19th for second place. Both 240 intake and neither went over PAN. I hope everyone else is having better luck.

We are still number 1 on the waiting list - have been since day 1 of the waiting list.

I spoke to one of the governors and they said most of the movement happens in August as parents sit on 1-2 private school offers and wait to weigh up their options just before the start of term. They want to see what is on offer, cost changes (particularly this year!) and how confident they are in their dc taking public transport, a long coach ride or boarding.

I know someone last year who had an offer to the school we want, a full ride to a private school and they got a waiting list offer for a super selective grammar. In the end they chose private but they waited until August to let the school know as they hadn’t made up their mind. Dc needed to take the tube to get to the private school.

Theres always the parents who send their kid private but don’t let the school or council know so you get a phone call in the second week of term 🙃

My husband and I spent last night putting together additional evidence for 2nd appeal school. One of the reasons the first appeal was rejected is that we were not able to show evidence that we have arranged additional SEN support (OT) out of school. I now have evidence of this - OT report, e-mail from OT confirming start of sessions in September. Evidence of bus routes from OT to allocated school, showing that he would miss the whole first period and possibly start of second period. Evidence of walking route to appeal school showing that he can be at school for end of first period.
We have worked on wording for appeal meeting as well....
45 on waiting list for appeal school, with admissions officer saying that she doesn't expect the list to move much any more now. This is completely contrary to what I have heard through hearsay... but I am not holding out much hope.

We've gone from number 1 on waiting list Friday afternoon down to 3 by yesterday :(

That's so hard! Feel for you.

This whole thing is heartbreaking.

No appeals for us, just a waiting game. Up two places to second last week after only movement the wrong way for the last 6 weeks or so. I was starting to give up hope...

we are still 12th and the school told us its unlikely we will get a place before September...

We've just been offered first choice! I can't believe it no places to 5 all at once. We have an email from the admissions and I honestly can't believe it. I keep thinking it's a mistake.

Good luck to everyone else on the waiting list. It shows movement can come all at once even when it's looking stagnant.

Thank you so much for all the support here, no one in real life understands the toll it takes. I genuinely wish that everyone else going through this gets their good news soon. 🤞

Hurrah! So pleased for you after all the worry. Celebrations tonight

@Hopeful88 Hurray!! Another success story! What a huge relief! absolutely thrilled for you

Congratulations @Hopeful88 really happy for you and DC.

@Fizzyrosie it really is , like living in a nightmare tbh :( @Hopeful88 wow that's amazing great news, what a relief for you that must be

Amazing!! 👏

That's brilliant @Hopeful88! I am very happy for you and your DC. You can change your name to Relieved88! I hope everyone else receives good news soon too.

@Hopeful88 congratulations we are 6th still but told two offers for the school would be sent out this week I know they went out today as one of our friends was offered a place but she turned it down now hoping we get a big jump forward and offered like you 🤞

Thank you everyone. I just hope it won't be too long until you all get your good news too. The waiting is horrible. I had heard that waiting lists moved a lot after school holidays and transition days- and that held true for us - so hopefully there's a lot of movement yet to come. 🤞

We are now 4/6 the places that where declined will not be offered out till next week now it’s so frustrating they know they have spaces and just sit on them 😡

We won!! I can’t believe it! This forum has been invaluable! Thank you for all your support!

Great news!

Congratulations @AllSuggestionsTaken

Great news @AllSuggestionsTaken well done !

Amazing, well done. What a relief for you.