Help with SIF and CAF

[Tagore]

This is purely my understanding and I welcome any comments or correction which will assist in completing the forms next week, after all the results have been received.

SIF - This is the ONLY way a school is going to find out of your preference to send your dc to that school. The school will then collate this information and advise the LA of your dc’s ranking under each criterion.

CAF – The form requires parents to list up to 6 (4 in some areas) schools in genuine order of preference. However, it is important that the applicant has a good chance of being accepted at a school of choice (there is no point in ranking a school high if dc has no chance of being considered). IMO, if one is a few points short of last years’ lowest entrance level score, then there is always a chance of winning a place and the school should be ranked high. If one’s dc has performed well and has a better than even chance of winning a place (having exceeded last years’ lowest entry level score by a reasonable margin), then, this school must be ranked after the schools where dc has not quite made the mark but is within earshot. This ought to ensure that dc’s name is placed on the waiting list of the higher ranked school. In the event, the first choice is where dc has performed well and is certain to be allocated a place, then the LA will remove the name from the process after allocating dc a place in the first choice school. Thus, you have lost out on the chance of being placed on the waiting list of Schools (one of which may well be your first preference) where a place may become available after allocation day.

I would be grateful one of the moderator can comment.

Tagore

[AlisonR]

SIF - goes to the school directly and this let's them know that you are applying to the school and, in some cases, under what criteria you would like to apply. They will not know which position on the CAF you placed their school.

CAF - goes to HCC (or your local borough). You should list the schools on this form in your true order of preference, regardless of how likely you think it may be that you get a place there.

If you put your true first preference as your 3rd choice then even if you do qualify for a place at this school it could be that you are offered one of the schools you listed as 1st or 2nd choice instead.

Put your preferred school as your 1st choice, your 2nd preferred school as your 2nd choice, etc.

[WP]

The local authority provides each school with a list of applicants who named the school on their CAF (but not where they ranked it). The SIF is for additional information the school need to operate their overscription criteria.

I'm going to repeat what Alison said, because it can't be said too often: you must list the schools on your CAF in your personal order of preference, regardless of scores or anything else. You should include a safe backup option, and if you're short of slots the scores can be useful in deciding what to drop to make room. But forget about them when ranking your list.

[proudmom]

So, it is necessary to send SIF to all schools that we apply? Or just to those ones that specify in their results letter that this is needed?

[WP]

Only those that ask for a SIF as part of their admission arrangements (which you need to check).

[Tagore]

Thank you all for your posts. I thought you might like to see what MHCHS has on their website under the "Decision on Applications" section:

The Admissions Officer will complete the admissions process as explained. Names of all those who have applied will be sent to the LA listed in admission order under the criteria as applied for on the Supplementary Interest Form.

The LA Guide to Secondary Education decribes the process as stated by the posters above.

Once again, thank you all for your input.
Tagore