number 2

Hi Renata, thanks for that. I know it will never happen but it just seems a bit unfair and I know that there are people out there who have absolutely no intention of taking their places in state schools but just don't let the relevant people know. It's really no skin off their noses if they never let the state school know that they won't be taking their place yet the school has to hold the place as it's been offered. That's what seems so unfair. I just think there are a fair few unscrupulous people out there who don't consider the consequences of their actions, especially the consequences for other people. There I've said it!

I absolutely agree emski. I don't know how they'd do it but it does mean that effectively people can sit on two or even more places stuffing things up for others who aren't as lucky. For what it's worth my school (the one i work in - not the one we're hoping to get our boy into) had 4 or 5 kids not turn up in September this year and found it had to fill places as children were settled in other settings. I hope your plan works out for you.

Does this include teachers?! That would be lovely to go off for a cheap holiday a couple of times a year!

We always go to Ambleside and love, love, love it. It's a small town with lots of nice places to eat, a playground and loads of nice walks and because it's the lakes you can just stay a little way out of town and be in the middle of town. There's a lovely walk around rydal water that's great for kids as quite flat and it's just a short drive from Ambleside. We've always rented cottages before and stayed in some lovely places. Don't know what would be available at short notice. Ahhhhhh the lakes! I'm jealous!!!

Renata what does reclassified mean? Also who do I have to email to go on the waiting list for other schools?

Hmmm. Will wait and see whether I get a response by email. The woman I've egot a few times drives me crrrrrazy. She clearly can't work a computer!

Did you get the automated response from the admission team and then just hear nothing after that? I can't bear ringing again - there's a woman who takes about an hour to get you a blooming answer - asks every last detail which I know isn't necessary as I've rung once and got another person and they gave the info straight off within a minute or so!

Goodness knows when (if ever) we're going to see a reasonable amount of movement with Ivydale. Doesn't help that they're not sending out letters or doing anything like that until July! Have Goodrich sent their letters out yet? I'm figuring that this might show up some gaps in the places offered.......

I think I had a moment of madness today. I can't remember whether the woman on the phone said we were 4th or 5th now. I've now got it in my head that I'd talked myself into thinking we were 6th and then she said we were 5th. If 5th then we haven't moved at all. This is why emails are a good idea - I could have checked!! Duh! Have also emailed to ask to be out on a couple more waiting lists so hopefully I'll get a reply!

Gina I've also moved up one space. At least it's progress and we can see movement!! Good luck to you all!!

That's great news ryekids! Hope there is further movement!

Sorry Renata - bloomin' predictive text!

Re ate, as I understood it people, who are going down the independent route are under no obligation at all to officially decline their offer so those with places outside the central system can still hold onto places at community schools for as long as they please. Is that not the case then?

Thanks etta. I know there is some movement now on the lewisham lists that haberdashers is affecting. Not had the hoped for knock effect for our circumstances though.....

hi, has anyone heard of much movememnt on the waiting lists? i'm still waiting patiently for a shakedown from haberdashers *drums fingers*..................

That's really bloody tough Loulou. Whereabouts are you? Does anyone have any idea of when the waiting lists tend to start moving? The deadline for accepting/declining places doesn't see, to have had anything but a negative effect for most on here!

Thanks Renata, you are, as always, very helpful and well informed. Thanks so much for replying to this thread so religiously!

Speaking as a member of the teaching staff of a school (which isn't the village!) parents are generally very, very happy with the education they get at our school after leaving the villa. There are some extremely good schools in the area.

Yes, I got a reply from admissions today asking about that. She said that people who apply late, if they live closer, go above you on the waiting list. Seems more than a little unfair to me!

Sorry Gina. That's really tough. Have you looked at any other schools?

People keep saying "ooh, you'll definitely get in" as we are 5th on the waiting list for Ivydale. I don't know when these lists start to shift though. We've done nothing but move down it (albeit by one space) - has anyone actually moved up their waiting list yet?

Does anyone know if, for instance, someone has a place at a Southwark school, but then gets into a school in Lewisham (be it a local authority school, free school, independent, whatever) are the waiting lists from the 2 local authorities linked? So would Lewisham notify Southwark that the child no longer needs a space at that school? If both schools in question were applied for as part of the CAF system, would the 2 LAs keep in touch about that? Thanks

Just wondering, has anyone come to the top of a waiting list yet??

gina i would say that 14th sounds hopeful in a school with a big intake like that. fingers crossed. hmmm, we've gone down the ivydale waiting list :( soooooo not happy. i bloody well hope whoever has overtaken us has a good reason other than just forgetting to apply!!

Fair enough Zamboanga. I probably misread your post. It's what I'm dreading - that people will be sitting on places rather than letting southwark know that they don't need a place. Sorry if I misunderstood.