Distance from school calculations

[loveisagirlnameddaisy]

New to the school applications system as DD is due to start next year and the online admissions system is due to open next week. So... still figuring out how 'catchments' actually work.

We live 602m (according to county council's calculator) from preferred school. Last year, the furthest distance was 1100m, the year before it was 745m. So even though it varied hugely (I assume because siblings were far fewer last year) under those distances we would have got in. Or would we? Is it as simple as that, or are there other factors that go into the decision making?

If you look in the admissions guide it should tell you how they prioritise admissions. Also look at how they measure distance: is it straight line or safe walking route? What points do they use to measure the distance from?

Most schools go by children in care, medical/SEN, siblings, then distance. Some schools differ. The admissions criteria should be on the website.

The website should also say how distance is measured. If the council has given you your distance based on how it measures for admission to the school, then yes that is correct.

Some people use Google Maps and then get a shock as this isn't as accurate, won't measure from the same starting point, and won't take into consideration factors like a road not having a footpath (whereas the council may have a safe route rule).

It sounds like you are sure to get in but do put other choices that you could live with if you had to. Just to be safe.

Sorry, to clarify, I understand that there are other criteria which take priority over 'nearest school'. So, last year, out of 60 places, there were no SENs/children in care, 33 siblings and 27 admissions based on distance from school.

My question should have been, out of those 27, if the furthest lived 745m from the school (by straight line, which is how they measure), and I lived 602m, is that enough information for me to reassure myself that I would have got in (based on last year's data)?

The reason I ask is that someone I know lives closer to the school than me and didn't get in. So it's got me wondering why if the admissions rules were applied correctly.

Yes, that is enough information to say you would have got in provided your figure for distance is correct. I suspect that the county council's calculator measures from the centre of the area covered by your postcode whereas they will measure from your property when deciding admissions. If your postcode covers a large area you may be significantly more than 602m from the school.

Okay if someone closer to you didn't get in, you need to know: did they apply on time? Have they moved? How did they measure distance and is it the same now?

And I am assuming it doesn't have a faith based entry criteria. The distance by the way only refers to the last entry criteria. Several local schools to me take children further away than stated in the admissions criteria, but they are either siblings or it is their "nearest school" (rather than them being the nearest applicant to the school).

Thanks everyone for replies, really useful. Also interesting comment about postcode area; the county council calculator required my house number and road prior to making the calculation so I'm not sure if 602m is based on the whole postcode or my house in particular.

I've just found out that the school we like has confirmed an extra class for this year will definitely go ahead so that's another 30 places to boost our chances. Fingers crossed. :)

For my LA they state "Remaining places will be offered on the basis of nearness to the school measured in
a straight line from the address point of the pupil’s house, as set by Ordnance
Survey to the nearest official school gate for pupils to use. This is calculated using
the Admission and Transport team’s Geographical Information System" So it is from the school to a specific address. (I know they have a rule for flats, to determine who is closest.)

Just for clarity they must use a precise measurement similar to that outlined by mummytime for determining admissions. The point I was making is that the distance calculators you find on council websites are not that accurate and often measure from the centre of your postcode rather than your property.