Blocks of flats and catchment areas

[WerewolfNumber1]

Maybe an odd question but just thinking about primary admissions.

We are in a block of flats. Last year it was only just in the catchment for our preferred school.

This year there will be several families from our block applying.

If there aren’t enough spaces, does anybody know how the council would choose between the flats?

Two of the families live directly above each other and we all use the same front entrance so distance from school wouldn’t help.

[PatriciaHolm]

Admissions criteria will normally address this - for example, Surrey say that where 2 or more pupils share priority for a place, random allocation will be used. So you should check the criteria for the schools you are interested in.

[WerewolfNumber1]

Oh I see thanks, so I need to look at the actual admissions policy from the council? Will do that. It’s more curiosity than anything at this stage!

[PatriciaHolm]

Yes, this should be addressed explicitly, it's not uncommon!

[meditrina]

Not all schools have catchments. But where they do, admissions information should include a map which shows the catchment (which may be parish boundaries for VA faith schools). This should show clearly whether you address is in the catchment or not. If it doesn't, parents cannot know which entrance criterion they fall in to. If there is not a clear map showing the designated priority admissions area, then complain like crazy, because they are squarely in the wrong for not providing one.

If it is a case of distance as a tie-break (which might be reached any category, even the catchment ones), then it is normally random allocation of all within that block

[Dorkdiary]

Ours admit a place at random in that situation.

[Hersetta427]

this is what our LA say on the subject.

If 2 applications were received from the same block of flats, the applicant with the lower door number would be classed as nearest and offered a place because they are likely to be closer to the ground floor and, therefore, the school.

[WerewolfNumber1]

Ok I’ve checked and it’s random allocation in that situation - which is good news for us as the other families are closer to the ground floor!

Thanks all, I was being a bit stupid not just checking the policy in the first place.

There are maps which show that we would have been just inside catchment last year, but I don’t think our area does priority admission areas.