How to win an ad hoc place at secondary school

By Cat Sutherland-Hawes
Head of Schools Advisory

An ad hoc (or occasional) place happens when a child enters a school outside the traditional year groups for admission.  

Via an occasional place, in what year groups could a child enter a school? 

As explained, it’s not a normal entry point but families should expect schools (although maybe not the big ones) to have space in Years 8, 9 and 10 for occasional places. No-one (hardly anyone – very, very rare) – would take a student into Year 11, which is in the middle of the GCSE curriculum.  

In London itself it’s harder because people don’t tend to move, although a few spaces sometimes open at Year 9 because of others moving to boarding school. More generally, very few London schools have an established Year 9 entry point with a school near Oppidan HQ like Harrodian being one example. Things are very competitive in London so when parents are thinking about schools and occasional places it helps to have something extra to offer. Talent in sport/drama/music would be well received by a school.  

If your child did sit the 11+ at a London day school and then comes back looking for an ad hoc place, many schools would only consider an applicant who got to a certain stage – i.e. the interview. If a child sat the 11+ and then didn’t go further, you rarely get a second chance.  

Those schools who are full won’t know their position regarding possible new space until February/March at the earliest and sometimes later. Parents don’t need to give notice until start of summer term, after the Easter holidays, and schools also can’t offer space they don’t have.  

When do I need to tell my current school I’m removing my child?  

Most schools ask for a term’s notice – so if you can’t tell your current school until after the Easter holidays you end up having to pay twice if taking a place at a new school. This is tough on families but if you want a competitive school, it can’t be helped.  

Most schools/families will try to do the process pre-Easter to avoid that, but sometimes it doesn’t work. The best thing to do as a parent is simply ring and talk to them: ask if they will have space/what they anticipate/how to go about it.  

When will I know the outcome from a prospective school?  

Depending on the school – London schools will likely hold you off until a certain point and ask you to register your interest and they’ll follow up when they know the position. Normally February. Out of London/less popular schools will ask you to register and may even take it forward earlier if it’s clear they space on their roll.  

What will my prospective school ask for?  

Schools will want to know why you want to move your child. You must be honest – and remember they will ask for a reference from your child’s current school, so they will know your background if you don’t tell them.   

Schools will ask for recent reports and some won’t consider you until they see them and see your child is at the right level academically and would contribute well to the school community.   

What might the application process involve for an occasional place?  

Tests may involve anything from simple interview if the reports are strong/your child sat before and have good scores to a range of tests almost certainly in English/Maths.  The interview will matter – with few going into a year group, you have to get it right.  

Be honest with your school and flag up if you are looking elsewhere/applying.  A reference will be needed at some point, so don’t let it be a surprise to the school.  

Overall, it can work. With schools in London it is hard but out of London it’s much more likely.  My top advice would be do talk to the school/ring/get a relationship going with the Admissions Team.  It really helps.