School offer day can go one of two ways; filled with joy and excitement because your child will begin their education at your first choice school, or stress and frustration because they were allocated a place you are unhappy with.
Your child starting school for the first time is a huge milestone for every family and we understand that this can already be a daunting experience. At Wandsworth Prep, we have put this guide together to make it as easy as possible for you to navigate Primary School Offer Day to secure a school place that will be best for your child.
Step 1: Check your offer email or letter
In Wandsworth, state school allocation notifications will be sent out on the 16th April and are usually sent via email or letter. If you applied by a paper form you’ll receive a letter in the post, otherwise you’ll get an email. Make sure to check your spam or junk folder as well, as sometimes important emails can get filtered there by mistake!
You will receive the email from the London eAdmissions Team. You will also be sent a follow-up notification email from Wandsworth Council if it was not possible to offer you your first preference school. This will provide detailed information about the outcome of your application and what do next.
Step 2: Read the offer letter carefully
When you receive your offer, read it carefully to understand which school your child has been allocated to. Make a note of any important information, such as the deadline to accept the place.
Step 3: Consider your options
If you are happy with the school that has been allocated to your child, then ensure that you accept the place before the deadline. However, if you haven’t received your first option you’ll be added to the waiting list for all the schools in your life above the one you were allocated. However, make sure that you accept the place that you were offered to ensure you’re kept on the waiting list!
Option 1: Appeal the decision
If you believe that your child has been unfairly allocated a school place, you can appeal the decision. You will need to prepare a case and evidence for an appeal hearing. The appeal process can be lengthy and there is no guarantee that you will be successful, but it is worth pursuing if you feel strongly that your child has been unfairly treated.
Option 2: Join a Waiting List
Most schools in the state sector will operate a waiting list system, depending on whether there are spaces available. Your child’s position on a waiting list will be determined by a set criteria. You will receive an email from Wandsworth Council with your pupil number so that you can check their position on the waiting list. They will move up the list if a child above them is accepted into the school, or is removed from the list and they will move down the list if another childs meets more of the admissions criteria.
Option 3: Consider an independent school
If you are unable to secure a place at a state-funded school that meets your child’s needs, you may want to consider an independent school. Independent schools are not governed by the local authority and have more flexibility in their admissions policies.
Independent schools can offer your child a customised learning experience based on their individual needs to ensure they are happy, thrive and achieve the best of their ability. Children benefit from smaller sizes and more attention from specialist teachers. Compared to state schools, there is more emphasis placed upon character development which can be nurtured through a wider range of extra-curricular activities.
Steps if you are considering an independent school:
- Research schools – Look at websites, prospectuses, or schools’ guides to get a sense of the school and if your child will be happy and thrive there.
- Consider the cost – You may not have planned for the financial cost of an independent school, but it can be more affordable than you may think. Different independent schools have different price points, so it is important to check and compare fees as well as bursary and scholarship options. We offer an interest-free monthly payment scheme, which can allow for easier budgeting and help make payments more manageable for you. The fees for each term are split into three equal instalments and paid during the first three months of the term.
- Visit the school – There is no better way to get a sense of a school than to see it in person and assess if it is the right place for your child. View the facilities, assess the atmosphere and meet some of the teachers and pupils. At Wandsworth Prep, we offer personalised tours at a time which is most convenient for you, so you don’t have to wait until the next open day. However, we have a Reception entry open day on Friday 19th April at 9am.
Register your interest for our next open day here or email office@wandsworthprep.com to arrange a visit.
