Catchment areas

[edhj69]

We are in the process of selling and moving house, we haven't yet found a place but how before we start making offers how do you find out which catchment areas a house falls into? Is there a map somewhere with them all on? Or do you just look at the areas A-Z and guess the nearest schools are likely to be it? Daft question probably but no-one tells you this stuff.

E

The education dept of the local council should be able to tell you. Our has software they use to ascertain catchment areas. However, you do need to be careful - catchment areas for schools can shrink from one year to the next, so there are no guarantees.

You need to talk to the LEA where you are moving to. Don't rely on estate agents assuring you that such and such a house is in the catchment area for a particular school - as puff has said these can change!! Also remember that it can be easier to get children into the school of your choice even if it's not your closest if you are looking for spaces in years other than reception, Y3 (where there are separate junior schools), and Y7. The LEA will be able to give you their admissions policy booklet, but in most cases headteachers can allocate places if they have them and they know there is no waiting list. We moved DS2 for the last half term even though we had intended not moving him until the beginning of this school year as when we visited a few schools we really liked one and it was able to offer us a place straight away, but could only hold it for six weeks once we accepted. Good luck.

I looked on OFSTED website and did a search for schools closest to the postcode. The catchment area can change each year depending on how many people apply for places.

Thankyou all, thought that was about all you could do.

E