How is distance determined for admissions?!

[blue22]

I keep reading on admissions pages that the distance from the school will be determined by the 'nearest public route as defined by the directorate for children and young families geographic system' - what is this system and where can I find it?
We live really close to the school I like if you walk down a bridleway, but to drive it would be a much longer distance round a one way system.
Do you think the bridleway will count as a public route?
This is all quite stressful!!

Your local authority should be able to tell you what system they use. Just ask your local admissions system.

service

Ok thanks, I'll call them tomorrow

This will be a geographical information system belonging to the LA. It is an expensive piece of software which measures distances very accurately. Knowing which one is used won't really help you. You won't be able to get access to it. However, what you are really interested in is what counts as a "public route". That is defined by your LA, not the software. The LA should define in their admissions booklet what they mean by "public route". If they don't do so the most obvious interpretation is that it includes all public rights of way - footpaths, roads, etc. It is unlikely to be the shortest driving route. Your LA should certainly be able to tell you what they mean by "public route" and whether or not the bridleway to which you refer counts.