Catchment is only available for English state schools, independent schools do not have catchment areas.
Every school has a maximum number of pupils it can admit. So, catchment areas are used to prioritise applications from pupils who live within a certain distance of the school or a certain area.
Catchment areas are measured in different ways and often change from year to year. There are four main ways of calculating a catchment area, although sometimes schools will use a combination of more than one method.
Straight Line Catchment
Walking Distance Catchment
Priority Admission Area
Nearest School Catchment
Even if you live within a school’s catchment area, there’s no guarantee of your child being offered a place. But equally, you could live outside of a catchment area and actually be offered a place.
Catchment Area is only one of the admission criteria.
Other factors taken into account when applying for a school place include:
Siblings already at the school.
Whether or not they attended an official feeder school
The child’s religion (in the case of faith schools)
The child’s academic ability (in the case of grammar schools)
Any social or educational needs the child may have
Any additional needs your child may have
The best way to find out details on school catchments is by contacting the schools you’re interested in directly.
As catchment processes can vary from school to school, find out how far away your property is and then speak to the school, who will be able to advise whether or not you’re within their catchment area.
Do not lie on school admissions application forms!
Parents have been warned that if a child gains a place on the basis of false information, their child may be removed from the school.