Starting School Application

supermonkey

Hi All,

We are going to be applying for my youngest soon.

We can list 3 schools on the application, but the school we want is not in our catchment, but we have a chance of getting in.

I'm wondering if a school which is 2nd choice could affect whether we get our 1st choice....

eg if there was one place left at the school we want & two children who on the list meeting the same eligibility criteria, if we have another school as 2nd place which has plenty of spaces, but the other child has schools listed which are full, will they be prioritised as a result?

Thanks

InsideInsurance

The allocation process varies by area but it is plausable to say it may in some areas

Spendless

Read what it says about how places are allocated on your application form. Where I live it makes no difference if you list a 2nd or 3rd choice. All they would do is apply their eligibility to the first school on your list. If there's a space once all children in the criteria above you are allocated, you are in. They apply this criteria to all schools on your list and you are allocated a place at your highest ranking school that has a place.

If your child and 2 other children meet eligibility for one space, something will come into place as the tie breaker. That may be distance from the school, date of birth or purely pulling names out of a hat.

Don't assume all areas have the same rules though, you need to know the process in your area.