Loughborough Schools Foundation shares advice for parents facing primary school offer day disappointment
Parents across the East Midlands will soon find out which primary schools have offered their child a place for this September. For those who miss out on their first choice and are left feeling disappointed, Loughborough Schools Foundation is sharing practical steps on what to do next.
National Offer Day for primary school places takes place on 16 April and marks the point when local authorities across England notify families of their child’s allocated school. For many parents it is a milestone moment, signalling the start of their child’s formal education, though demand for popular schools means not every family secures their preferred option on the first round of offers.
According to data from the Department of Education, last year there were 556,600 applications for a place at primary schools, and the proportion of primary applicants receiving an offer for their first-choice school was 92.5%.
Whilst last year, offers for first-choice primary schools in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire were slightly higher than the national average at 92.6% and 95.1% respectively, there remain a number of primary schools across the region which were oversubscribed, having significantly more applications than places.
Parents will be informed of the decision through a letter or email from their local council, notifying them if their child has secured their first-choice primary school, or if they have been allocated one of their alternative choices.
Offering practical steps to parents on what to do if they don’t get their first-place school, Chris Staley, Chief Executive Officer at Loughborough Schools Foundation, said: “With primary school offer day on the horizon, many parents will be faced with the exciting, but nerve-wracking prospect of finding out whether their child has, or hasn’t, got their first-choice primary school. The day is likely to be tinged with nerves, with some families faced with disappointing news if the decision doesn’t go their way. But there are practical steps that can be taken to resolve the situation.
“One option is to give your preferred school a polite phone call, where you can ask if they have a waiting list you can join. During this call, parents can gauge the level of demand for a school place and if their child gaining admission is a realistic possibility. Whilst the school waiting list isn’t always a guarantee, parents can also contact their local council to request to be added to a formal waiting list. Another course of action could be to appeal the decision, though parents should not rely solely on the hope of this process resulting in an offer.
“I would recommend taking the time to research other schools in the area, exploring their ethos, values and philosophy, what facilities they offer, the level of pastoral care and what sort of extra-curricular activities they provide.
“Through keeping an open mind, parents may be able to secure their child a place at a school better suited to them than their initial choice. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions to existing parents, visit the school’s social media channels, website and read online reviews. You can also lean on the knowledge and advice of those in the school admissions offices. It is also worth being aware that some independent schools offer financial support, including scholarships and bursaries, which may make this option more accessible than families might initially expect.”
While receiving an alternative offer can initially feel discouraging, Loughborough Schools Foundation is emphasising that there are still a number of routes available to families navigating the admissions process and to reach out to schools directly to discuss options.
For more information on Loughborough Schools Foundation, visit https://lsf.org/