Can someone explain how the waiting list actually works?

[Bluejay44]

I realise this sounds a really silly question!

Offered second preference for DD (School A) . Most local school. We were expecting this and ok with it.

First preference was School B almost 2 miles away which she's in the feeder for but out of catchment.

Once places were released, I checked the spreadsheet and School B did allocate to our of catchment feeder just not quite far enough on distance.

I was told Monday that DD is 1st on the waiting list for School B but could go down.

First question, in what circs would she go down? As the waiting list is automatic, surely there's no one left to join it until the second round of applications?

Second, I know 2 people who have declined places at School B in the last 24 hours and gone private. But when I called admissions today to check if we had moved (as I hadn't heard anything) I was told no, we are still first. How is that possible?

Man on phone a bit grumpy, said not to keep calling. To be fair this was the first time I've called but I did email on Monday. I was also really polite but I understand they're probably run of their feet with anxious parents.

Do the waiting list places come up as places are made available? Or do they release them all in one go to the waiting list?

We are Cambridgeshire, if that makes a difference.

We've also accepted our second preference school to be on the safe side, though I've been reassured that won't affect the waiting list!

Thanks all! Fingers crossed then.

We are also in Cambridgeshire and wondered if you/anyone know when a place is offered from the waitlist - does the name come right off the waitlist or does it stay on until the family accept it and then does the school confirm this acceptance of an offer before wait lists move?

Well we just got our waiting list place!

That's a good question. It says we have ten days to respond, which is quite a while. It says it we don't respond in the ten days our place will be offered to another family on the waiting list. So I think they have to hold them for the ten days, meaning it could move quite slowly.

We got the letter on Thursday but I haven't responded yet as DD is now dithering over which place she wants. I've done some research and have basically decided for her, I just need to have a conversation with her later today so I can respond to the offer.

That's great news! So I would assume you stay on the list then until everything is confirmed. Please do let us know if you accept and how long the admissions take to email you with confirmation.

We're in an odd situation where a whole bunch of us live in the same cul-de-sac and some accepted and some didn't but the admissions haven't confirmed the acceptances if you see what I mean so we're all unsure if we're really as far down the wait list as they say.

I know we can't rely on the wait list or do anything about it but we're all really keen for the kids to get their places together 🙏

@Bluejay44thats great. Congratulations. I phoned last week & was told that I have to wait until end of April for any waitlist place news. I’m not sure if they offer other spaces out before then though. My DD is also still dithering. She says she will be happy with the school she has (which I know she will…her sister is already there) so will just see. I’m much less stressed about it now that she is.

We decided to accept, I sent the email this morning. I imagine they will then process that on Monday and the list will be reshuffled.

Even though this offered school is a much better school, we did dither. The second choice school had already held a transition evening and DD had recalibrated her expectations and got excited about all the positives of the second choice school (mainly that it is walking distance !). DH and I basically told her she was going to the first choice because we knew as adults that the pros of the first choice were more important. I think she was actually quite relieved to be told what to do as it's a lot for ten year olds to weigh up.

So I wouldn't be surprised if some of these waiting list offers are turned down and they keep moving down the list, there will likely be quite a few for whom the second choice was reasonable and the child is settled with the idea.

That's great that your DD has happy either way. I think the main benefit of getting the offer is we finally know what we're doing, the uncertainty was stressful!

Admissions told me that too - I think they say it to put people off calling again and again. The waiting lists are definitely moving so you could hear sooner. Fingers crossed for everyone else!

Waiting lists are definitely moving - we have been offered our 5th choice (it was 5th as so massively oversubscribed in previous years that we thought we had no chance). Have accepted but not saying too much to DD as still holding out for our top 2

I am currently on 3 waiting lists! The waiting lists ‘closed’ on Friday at midday, so presuming we will find out if we have been lucky in the next few days. Our son passed a drama aptitude test for one school, but wasn’t offered a drama aptitude space - I have been told there is a separate waiting list for aptitude spaces? Has anyone else heard of this?

We are on a waiting list for a school that has a number of different criteria, to do with zones (/distance) and aptitude. We are in a particular zone, so if someone turns down a place that they were offered due to the zone, we may get offered a place. But if someone turns down a place from a different zone, or an aptitude place, then we wouldn't. I'm guessing that would be the case with you? Our school criteria lists a certain number of children due to aptitude, so if one dropped down they'd go to the next on the list.

Yes that makes sense- hopefully we get lucky in 1 of the 3! Will be watching my phone/ inbox like a hawk over the next few days.
good luck to everyone waiting

We moved 2 places in the wrong direction after the 2nd round...I found out this morning. Was really hoping to be higher up today. I'm going to check in weekly until the appeal hearing.

@Bluejay44yes I thought that they tell people end of April date so that we don’t keep calling. It’s hard not to though! We are in catchment for this other school she wants so you never know.

Our 1st choice (that we are on the waiting list for) has just appeared on my Arbor app. Does anyone know what this means? Has this happened to anyone else? It's raised my hopes!

Ooh not sure. Is that the app you use for your current school?

Yes, it's very strange for it to be added unless the school use it for the waiting list - exciting to see it there anyway

Hi, Just wanted to check if any updates you have recieved. Honestly position dropping is confusing to me.

It means there were late applicants that are higher priority than you, e.g. because they live closer.

When new/late applications are made, they get put in priority order, not date order. So someone who lives closer, or has a sibling at the school, or goes to a feeder school, for example, may be higher up even though they applied after you.

@StormySamdid you find out why the new school was on your app?

No. The LA has no info. I think it might just be the way the school manages the waiting list but it is a bit weird

Yes very weird. I would have been really disappointed not to have had an offer when I saw that. Fingers crossed you get one soon.

We went from 14 to 16 and now at 10. I dont expect too much more movement, but I'll feel more confident going into the hearing knowing he's so close. Good luck everyone keep posting, it's reassuring to hear of others in the same position.

I called our first choice school today (as soon as the admissions office opened after Easter) and we are 3rd on the list 😬. I don’t want to get too happy but I’m hoping that we get a place between now and summer! I haven’t told DD yet so as not to get her hopes up……