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!

We are 2nd on the waiting for our 2nd choice school but out of catchment so who knows how this will go.

We were position 1 for feeder school but have moved down to 14 I think and other choice is about 30, so hoping for the appeal just waiting for the appeal date

We are very high on our first choice waiting but didn’t get an offer in the round before Easter, instead got the date for the appeal hearings.

Have a feeling we won’t get in. We are out of catchment but have siblings at that school but catchment trumps siblings so we could be pushed much further down.

Any advice on Appeal Hearings?

There’s a few previous threads on appeals, I’ve posted one recently, I’ve not got my date yet

Oh gosh - moving from number 1 to 14 doesn’t give me hope 😣 with the feeder school what are the other criteria? Is it feeder school first then catchment?

You’d need to look at the school’s Admissions Policy.

Its not always children in catchment who attend the feeder school.

The prioritised other faiths above feeder school so we moved down as other people have applied since

We got our first choice! Found out just now that we have been offered a place on the waiting list 🙌🏾 My DD will be ecstatic when I tell her in the morning!! Fingers and toes crossed for others still waiting. The lists do move…..

Wonderful news @BF25 !!!

@BF25thats amazing
i called last week but they said it’s all with the school who are still shut until next week so still waiting (hopefully but not too hopeful!)

Joining this thread as we are waiting to see if we can get into 1st preference.

annoyingly don’t even know which waiting list position we are as my email to central admissions (only way to find out) seems to have been missed.

admissions say if you email again you get pushed to end of reply list again so had to give them the 10 working days on their SLA

guessing we started on NOD somewhere between 10 and 20 based on location of other families we know.

🤞🤞

small hope that they’ll come back with an offer rather than WL place 😅 slight panic that I’ve missed an offer (very unlikely to have had offer yet and missed it).

such a frustrating system. Wish you could just log into E -admissions account to see status

good luck to everyone waiting and remember your kids are brilliant and will be ok wherever they end up 💪🤞

@BF25 that’s great news, @Thinkingfrog have you put an appeal in?

@Mayjane5 no need for appeal, we’ve got no grounds for it. Just small catchment and busy admissions team. 2nd preference is acceptable

@Thinkingfrog oh I see, we are waiting for appeal dates as I don’t think will get in on waiting lists but will see what next week brings when the schools are back and the lists updated

What is your grounds for appeal? Do you have a place at second or third preference?

@Thinkingfrog we got our 4th choice and not even the feeder school. Appealing primarily on SEN grounds.

Good luck 🤞

@Thinkingfrog could you not call the school or admissions office directly? The school where we were on the waiting list - I had sent an email but didn’t get a response back. So I called when they were back after Easter Hols and the lovely admissions lady told me I was third on the waiting list then we got the email back from the LA with the offer. Coz then at least I could prepare myself if I was like 30 down the list or something…..

Thanks - they are VERY clear on the school website that all admissions are handled by LA (lots of over subscription in area, schools would be inundated with worried parents)

I know it’s a very busy time for LA with appeals and primary allocations today but yes want to get our expectations managed by knowing WL place and now extra worry that there has been some kind of admin error and we aren’t even on the list. It’s a tricky time!

Well I did at least hear back this morning and we are 10th for 1st preference. So quite unlikely I think

I’ve just found out we are 3rd on the waitlist but no additional offers have been made. I think we have little chance. I need to make peace with it more than my daughter I think! She said she’s happy with the school she has. I’m ridiculous.

Do lists move much in your area? Areas where I am move a lot through next few months with grammar/private/house moves so 3rd would be ok at this point. Maybe for you too?

Ours don't move much after appeals as the extra through appeals take them over the published admissions number and they only let people in from the reserve list if it goes back down below pan.

@Thinkingfrogits really school dependent. I honestly don’t know but I’m lowering my expectations so that if it happens it’s a nice surprise. She still has a decent school so I can’t really complain.
my eldests year was completely different….it was such a high birth rate it was impossible so we were just glad to get the school we have. I feel like there might be a bit more movement this year but still not loads.

So I’ve found out that the school we are waitlisted for is currently over subscribed for this years intake by 27 spaces & they won’t offer anymore unless they lose this many students. Therefore I need 30 kids to release their spots. My expectations are even lower right now! I’m glad I know though so we can focus on what we have which is still a good school.