Help with SIF and CAF
Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 11:27 am
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
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