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Within 20 miles property rule for Dr Challoners grammar school

16 replies

RealNavyKoala · 12/09/2026 12:20

Hello, does anyone got admission even though they own property within 20 miles of Dr Challoners grammar school? Desperate to look for an answer. Thank you.

OP posts:
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Bushmillsbabe · 12/09/2026 20:37

RealNavyKoala · 12/09/2026 17:41

We are already living in the catchment area from last 1 year. Our property is since been rented. I recently got to know that even if I am in catchment for a long time I can't own a property which is within 20 miles.Ours unfortunately comes in 19 miles.I have put my property in market but unlikely it will get sold by next September 2027 when my son will appear for 11 + exam.It's almost like we are getting penalised for having another property.Does anyone know any solution?

Are you selling or renting out your property, I'm a bit confused.

Tbh it does sound a bit suspicious and if I was an admissions officer then I would question this. Is the property you are selling in Bucks? People can of course apply out of borough, but the chances are extremely slim. You are also banking on your child passing the 11+, which even if very bright, is by no means guaranteed. They have changed the test this year to make it less 'tutorable' (my DD just sat it)

You will need to be sold by September 2027, even if it means you dropping the price.

Lindy2 · 12/09/2026 20:35

Do you have a genuine reason for renting near Challoners while owning another property or have you done it to live in the catchment area until a place is secured?

If you have a genuine reason and intend to stay renting where you are for the next 7 years then let the LA know that. If you're planning to secure the school place and move back to your other house then well, you've been rumbled.

It alway amazes me how far some people will go to get a school place without knowing that the child will actually pass the entrance exam.

LIZS · 12/09/2026 20:28

Why do you still own it? No if you still own it in a year’s time the local address will be disregarded and the other used for the application, which means he is very unlikely to get a place offer even if passing 11+. The LA will check.

titchy · 12/09/2026 20:02

TeenToTwenties · 12/09/2026 19:52

Why would your property take a year to sell?

Because it’ll go on the market at twice its actual value so OP can claim she was definitely trying to sell and not cheat the system… I can’t see any other reason a property couldn’t be sold within a year quite easily if the price was right.

TeenToTwenties · 12/09/2026 19:52

Why would your property take a year to sell?

BalakayAARon · 12/09/2026 18:06

To be clear, you own a property 19 miles from DCGS that you rent out? You currently live in or at least rent a property closer to the school that you want to be considered your residence for admissions purposes?

Bucks are very hot on this. What are your extenuating circumstances that you think will allow your case to be considered as not trying to circumvent the rules? Or are you trying to circumvent the admissions rules?

I legitimately moved rental-to-rental within catchment for DCGS during the relevant period, and know how stressful it was to provide the necessary proof. Owning a property in the vicinity is looked at VERY closely.

Is your child at least in a school local to DCGS or one close to your property?

modgepodge · 12/09/2026 17:46

RealNavyKoala · 12/09/2026 17:41

We are already living in the catchment area from last 1 year. Our property is since been rented. I recently got to know that even if I am in catchment for a long time I can't own a property which is within 20 miles.Ours unfortunately comes in 19 miles.I have put my property in market but unlikely it will get sold by next September 2027 when my son will appear for 11 + exam.It's almost like we are getting penalised for having another property.Does anyone know any solution?

A year is a long time, no reason why it won’t sell in that time?

I know of a family who did exactly this for a different grammar school (not bucks but not far away) and they were found out and their application withdrawn. They had to apply as late applicants in about February when it all came to light. The child got a space at her original catchment grammar in the end rather than the one they’d rented to be near.

TimeToGoNuclear · 12/09/2026 17:45

I live less than 6 miles from dr challoners and my daughter did not get in last year due to the increased number of applicants following the VAT on privates fees issue.
the catchment is neither here nor there if there are a lot of applicants.

i’m sure you know why they do this - people rent a property close to the school, get their daughter in, and then move back to their original house which they never sold. This rule was introduced to stop people playing the system.

RealNavyKoala · 12/09/2026 17:41

We are already living in the catchment area from last 1 year. Our property is since been rented. I recently got to know that even if I am in catchment for a long time I can't own a property which is within 20 miles.Ours unfortunately comes in 19 miles.I have put my property in market but unlikely it will get sold by next September 2027 when my son will appear for 11 + exam.It's almost like we are getting penalised for having another property.Does anyone know any solution?

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 12/09/2026 13:33

Ah thank you.

MellowSubmarine · 12/09/2026 12:43

TeenToTwenties · 12/09/2026 12:21

Do you mean don't own?

It sounds like they’ve maybe rented closer to the school to improve the chance of getting in, while still owning their actual house a bit further away.

Apologies OP if I’ve misinterpreted and you actually aren’t trying to game the system.

MrsMabelThorpe · 12/09/2026 12:37

It's this - so you have moved (rented?) closer, and still own another property?

Within 20 miles property rule for Dr Challoners grammar school
HeyThereDelila · 12/09/2026 12:35

Call the school or the local authority 🙄

TeenToTwenties · 12/09/2026 12:33

Follow up question. What 20mile rule? (I just skimmed the admissions document, couldn't see it).

TeenToTwenties · 12/09/2026 12:22

Do you have a grammar you are in catchment for? What is wrong with that?

TeenToTwenties · 12/09/2026 12:21

Do you mean don't own?