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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

2024 waiting list/appeal support thread

628 replies

Hopeful88 · 18/03/2024 01:09

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. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

OP posts:
whiteboardking · 29/03/2024 11:16

@Supamum3 @KirriIrry
Our school used to have 6 lessons a day. It changed to 5 after consultations with staff & pupils. Less time wasted moving about etc.
we are a big school pan 330
it may depend on size & layout of school and could change

Fizzyrosie · 02/04/2024 16:15

Hope everyone managed to get some rest over the Easter weekend. We have had more info on our situation which has revealed another layer of complexity.

So it turns out that despite it being called an 'order of merit ranking', I was wrong that this means that each individual rank number was for each individual child... Actually, it turns out that different children can have the same ranking and the last place (and the last place only) is awarded based on siblings and proximity to the school. So my daughter is number 5 on the waiting list.

No idea whether this is likely to move much or not. I am going to look into appeals I think and then lurk on the WL until transition days in July. Which feels an awful long time to be in limbo. Anyway, trying to get used to the uncertainty and not telling DD. She's away at the moment which I've been thankful for.

Good luck to all others out there in limbo land.

MintPoster · 03/04/2024 22:22

Hi everyone,

Our 1st choice school is our nearest but different county, as we’re right on the edge of our LA. My DD got offered her 2nd choice, but all her friends with be going to the 1st.

Trying to find out information about WL is a bit of a nightmare! 1st choice school in diff county says you can log in to see WL - but because I didn’t apply through them I can’t login. I’ve emailed, but they’ve said I need to contact my own LA to find out. My LA says they won’t release any WL info until 16 May! But for out of county schools you should contact the LA their in 🤦‍♀️

So stressful!

AllSuggestionsTaken · 06/04/2024 11:24

@MintPoster That does sound stressful! Is it worth a phone call rather than an email. Keeping fingers crossed for you that it’s some good news on 16 May.

I can only check once a month with our schools, so waiting until end of April to check again.

Do you have any grounds to appeal for the first school?

MintPoster · 06/04/2024 23:03

AllSuggestionsTaken · 06/04/2024 11:24

@MintPoster That does sound stressful! Is it worth a phone call rather than an email. Keeping fingers crossed for you that it’s some good news on 16 May.

I can only check once a month with our schools, so waiting until end of April to check again.

Do you have any grounds to appeal for the first school?

I got a phone call from our 1st choice LA to say that my DD has been allocated a space in their first re-run of spaces! They ran their numbers on Thursday before the bank holiday, but just missed making it into the emails that my own LA sent out on Wednesday this week after their own re-allocation took place. My LA are refusing to offer the space formally until their next run which isn’t until 16th May!

But I have it in writing that we have a space and will be getting a welcome pack from 1st choice school soon!

Annio82 · 07/04/2024 09:55

Fantastic news.

annoying that your LA are being stubborn though

AllSuggestionsTaken · 07/04/2024 16:40

That’s great news! What a relief!

AllSuggestionsTaken · 07/04/2024 17:50

Appeal letter finished this afternoon. Just waiting on 2 support letters to be finished, then we can send the whole thing off. I feel very drained and I hope I’ll feel some relief when everything is submitted. I even dreamt about the panel hearing recently!

I had a lovely week off work last week and some great days with the DC. Now it’s all coming crashing back down again and I have that awful sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

MsJuniper · 07/04/2024 20:02

That's great news @MintPoster. I hope the paperwork is in order quickly.

Good luck with your appeal @AllSuggestionsTaken and everyone else still in limbo.

dodi1978 · 08/04/2024 22:22

We just submitted our appeal! I think my husband and I have put together a cracking letter, with plenty of evidence. We appealed based on

  • the availability of a specific language to which DS has a relationship with at appeal school
  • this language being better for him given his specific writing / spelling difficulties (he does not meet the threshold for dyslexia but has been diagnosed with dyslexic-type difficulties and possible dyspraxia)
  • better accessibility of additional needs support near appeal school (dyspraxia, OT, specialist writing tutor)
  • his brother's additional needs which makes it easier to support his needs at appeal school, due to where we work / better availability of transport etc.

Now we just need to hope for the best! Luckily, the allocated school is not horrible, but the appeals schools would be better for the reasons stated, plus he would stay with his friends (we didn't mention this at all).

Good luck everyone else!

beckenhammum10 · 10/04/2024 10:22

Good luck to all those that are in Bromley today, hope you get good news about your waiting list position! I have sent an email and now waiting.

Rinse123 · 10/04/2024 17:51

Anyone have any news? I didn’t realise Bromley was today

beckenhammum10 · 10/04/2024 17:55

Haven't heard anything. I emailed them to as for waiting list place but didn't hear back, couldn't get through on the phone. I know a few people that have tried to contact them today with no luck!

Rinse123 · 10/04/2024 21:11

Sorry to hear that. Hope you get a reply by Friday.

beckenhammum10 · 11/04/2024 14:57

Hi for anyone in Bromley. I got through on the phone so worthwhile trying!

beckenhammum10 · 11/04/2024 15:10

Does anyone know if 13th on the waiting list stands a chance after first round ? Feels like it could be possible but so hard to tell. It's a large school.

Rinse123 · 11/04/2024 15:25

If I was 13th on the WL I would be very happy. My LA won’t give any indicators but I have a feeling we would be more like 50-100 on the WL. One of our choices has 360 on the WL and so far no declines!

Sunflowers189 · 11/04/2024 15:44

beckenhammum10 · 11/04/2024 15:10

Does anyone know if 13th on the waiting list stands a chance after first round ? Feels like it could be possible but so hard to tell. It's a large school.

It’s very dependent on the school you are hoping for. Banded schools are slightly different. But 13 for first round is really positive news!
we are also on a waiting list for Bromley and are around the same as you in terms of wait list position.
Wishing you the best of luck! Let’s keep each other posted and maybe we can get an idea on how things are moving xx

Original poster
Hopeful88 · 14/04/2024 17:40

MintPoster · 06/04/2024 23:03

I got a phone call from our 1st choice LA to say that my DD has been allocated a space in their first re-run of spaces! They ran their numbers on Thursday before the bank holiday, but just missed making it into the emails that my own LA sent out on Wednesday this week after their own re-allocation took place. My LA are refusing to offer the space formally until their next run which isn’t until 16th May!

But I have it in writing that we have a space and will be getting a welcome pack from 1st choice school soon!

Show quote history

Amazing news. It gives me hope that one by one everyone seems to be getting their choice.

OP posts:
AllSuggestionsTaken · 14/04/2024 18:31

Second school appeal letter submitted before tomorrow’s deadline. No more we can do now.

I am a bit concerned we have prejudiced both our appeals because they have both been sent to the same LA. Some grounds for both schools are the same. If the same panel of people hear both appeals, will they just dismiss both as they say that clearly we are just trying to get DS in anywhere but the allocated school?

I think I’m over worrying now!

MarchingFrogs · 14/04/2024 19:12

If the same panel of people hear both appeals, will they just dismiss both as they say that clearly we are just trying to get DS in anywhere but the allocated school?

No, panel members acknowledge ithat people do appeal for more than one school (it is your legal right to lodge an appeal for any school for which you applied and were refused and yes, some people who get none of their expressed preferences do appeal for every single one) and although, yes, they almost certainly will twig that what you really want is for your DC not to go to the allocated school, must not let this colour their treatment of your appeals. Which will be viewed as two completely separate events.

Rhayader · 17/04/2024 13:34

We just had another round of offers in my local authority and there were no offers at our 1st preference school at all. They offered slightly over PAN on offer day, the number offered over PAN declined. Since then they have had no spaces come up at all (2 rounds of offers). We are still no1 on the waiting list at least… starting to feel like there won’t be any spaces come up at all. It’s not a small school, PAN is ~200

Fizzyrosie · 17/04/2024 17:17

We're 4th on the WL and only 1 place has become available since reallocation.

Beginning to think the threat of private school fees increasing under labour might be having an affect and meaning greater pressure for good state schools???

Fizzyrosie · 17/04/2024 17:17

We're 4th on the WL and only 1 place has become available since reallocation.

Beginning to think the threat of private school fees increasing under labour might be having an affect and meaning greater pressure for good state schools???

MintPoster · 17/04/2024 17:25

Rhayader · 17/04/2024 13:34

We just had another round of offers in my local authority and there were no offers at our 1st preference school at all. They offered slightly over PAN on offer day, the number offered over PAN declined. Since then they have had no spaces come up at all (2 rounds of offers). We are still no1 on the waiting list at least… starting to feel like there won’t be any spaces come up at all. It’s not a small school, PAN is ~200

Don't lose out hope yet! A friend of mine works at a local secondary and she said you’d be amazed the amount of movement that goes on in the years. You’ve still got a way to go yet, keep thinking those positive thoughts!