First place is preference, not extra eligibility
The CAF asks for your preferred schools in order. If the grammar school is your genuine first choice, it can go first. That order tells the local authority which offer you would prefer if more than one school can offer.
It does not make an unqualified child qualified. It also does not override a school’s published admissions policy.
Example
A child qualifies for a grammar school and also meets the rules for a local school. If both could offer, the higher preference is offered. If the grammar school cannot offer, the lower preference can still be considered under the admissions process.
What to check before putting it first
- The test result or route eligibility.
- The school’s oversubscription policy.
- Whether distance, score rank or priority area affects offers.
- Whether the journey works every day.
- Whether lower preferences are realistic schools you would accept.
The sensible rule
Put the grammar school first if it is truly first. Do not put it first because you think the position itself improves the chance of a place.