11 Plus Exams Forum

Can some kind soul help me with a bit of a 'blind spot' of mine ?

After being allocated a place for a lower preference in March, why would you choose to go on a waiting list instead of going through a transfer appeal.....(or why would you opt for a transfer appeal instead of simply going on a waiting list) ?

What are the pros/cons of each - is one route better than the other ?

Thanks in advance.

You do both! You can be on a waiting list and get a place before the transfer appeal happens

Thanks.

So a transfer appeal is done as a last resort i.e. in August, September or even October ?

Transfer appeasls start about May and go on until all are done. I think there are a few stilll going on -

OK. So as you said, you do both.

So is there ANY reason why you would only go on a waiting list without launching a transfer appeal ? Or are the two seen as inextricably linked ?

I can't see any reason for NOT doing both - you may not need to appeal but you do need to be on the waiting list in case a place comes up anyway.

Dad40 wrote:OK. So as you said, you do both.

So is there ANY reason why you would only go on a waiting list without launching a transfer appeal ? Or are the two seen as inextricably linked ?

If you were in 1st or 2nd place on the waiting list, but didn't have a strong basis for a transfer appeal, just a preference for the school, then you might choose to be only on the waiting list.

Just for information, the majority of 12+ transfer appeals are taking place next week.

Sally-Anne

What are the pros/cons of each - is one route better than the other ?

Those on the waiting list are ranked strictly according to the admission rules at the time of any vacancy (so if you're in catchment, there's a sibling already at the school, and you live very close - you're at an advantage!). The waiting list only comes into operation, of course, if someone withdraws. The LA will fill any vacant places up to the published admission number.

The appeal process is different in that an IAP is not bound by the admission rules. It can consider whatever arguments parents choose to put forward, and it can admit as many children as it sees fit - until it judges that the prejudice to the school outweighs the strength of the parental reasons.

Thank you Etienne and Sally-Anne.

So it sounds like one really has to have something 'extra' (apart from the normal admission rules around distance, siblings, catchment) that can be put before the panel to effectively allow you to jump the waiting list queue.

The obvious question is "What reasons might cause a panel to over-rule the normal admissions rules?" I'm sure there is a huge list but one or two examples would be useful. I presume it has to be something pretty compelling.....

Also, Sally-Anne implied something that I hadn't realised - are parents told their position on a school's waiting list ?

Hi Dad40

Yes, you need something extra - suitability for a particular school's specialist status, medical or social reasons are probably the strongest.

Yes, parents are told where they are on the waiting list. Places on the list for the 12+ are being sent to parents this Monday, 16th July.

Sally-Anne