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How places are allocated when an activity is popular
Many schools ask families to rank their activity choices, then allocate places once sign-up closes. This page explains how that works and what you can do if your child did not get the place they wanted.
How allocation works
- You rank your choicesFor each day, you can choose up to five activities in order of preference.
- Sign-up closesNothing is decided while sign-up is open, so there is no advantage in choosing first.
- The school allocates placesSchoolsBuddy tries to give every student their first choice. If that activity is full, it moves to their second choice, then their third, and so on.
- The school confirmsYou receive an email once the school has confirmed the allocations.
🙋 FAQ
Why did my child not get their first choice?
The activity was probably oversubscribed, or has a limit on places. The school may also limit how many activities each student can do per week.
Can I ask to join an activity later?
If your school has turned on Join Requests, you can request a place after sign-up has closed. The activity teacher or an administrator will accept or decline it, and you will receive an email either way.
My child's allocation changed. Why was I not told?
Schools can make manual changes after allocation. If something looks different, contact the school's activities team.
Is it first come, first served?
Not for preference-based sign-ups. Some activities use Instant Book instead, where a place is confirmed as soon as you book.
Questions about your child's place?
Submit a request