YOUR DON’T-PANIC GUIDE TO NATIONAL OFFER DAY

Don’t have a kneejerk reaction

“If you don’t get the preferred school place, don’t just fire off angry letters or emails to your local authority,” says Bernadette John, director of The Good Schools Guide education consultants. “A lot can happen between now and September and you need to think clearly to put your best case forward.”

Accept the place you’re offered

“If you don’t, you run the risk of your child not having a secondary school place at all,” says Bernadette. “Think of it as a ladder process. Accept your place, investigate other options and you can always turn down schools as you work up the ladder.”

Get on the waiting list

“This is usually done automatically at your preferred school but ring them up straight away just to make sure,” says Bernadette. “School secretaries are usually very understanding.”

Appeal

“Note timings and lodge your appeal to as many schools as you wish,” says Bernadette. “The appeals panel is independent and you have to prove that the harm done to your child by not going to that particular school is greater than the harm to the school of overcrowding. Things to take into account; health and special educational needs, journey difficulties, your child suffering academically if he/ she doesn’t get in or even coming to harm from bullying. Include any evidence.”

Be patient

“Places are freed up all the time from offer day until September; second-round offers happen in late April so be patient – and try to keep your worries away from your child,” says Bernadette, who recommends checking out goodschoolsguide.co.uk for any further advice.

Assess the alternatives

“Think about your child,” says Kate Shand, education adviser and founder of schools consultancy, Enjoy education. “Will they thrive, what is the journey like, how will they take the pressure, could you send them to another school and top up with private tutors to help with exams instead?”