School allocations coming up!

[Inyournewdress]

I was wondering how everyone is feeling about the upcoming allocations next week, and if anyone has any intelligence about how this year looks?

From what I have heard from a couple of friends who work at primaries, applications were way down which could bode well for some of us. But so many local factors!

Birth rates might have dropped but don’t forget the UK population is rapidly increasing; putting pressure on schools in certain areas.

There aren't more babies, it's people living longer and immigrants.

I’m a Londoner and our first one was 0.2 cut off, the smallest I’ve ever seen it.

Also different years will fluctuate due to siblings

Yep @Emilienne I just got confirmation that our first choice cut off was 0.20 miles - much closer than previous years.

I’ve also got the waiting list positions and other than our first choice we are mostly at double digit for all. Everyone says there will be lots of movement but it feels terrifying.

How do you find out the last distance for the school cut off this year?

Every borough/area should publish something like this

https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/media/xonfunuu/howplacesswereallocateddforprimaryyschools2025.pdf

but often they come out at different times or can be difficult to find.

Thanks. How are people finding out then what the cutoffs were for this year?

Presumably like Wandsworth the areas they are in have published the info?

Where are you?

Let us know what council and I'm sure people can have a dig around, I love this sort of thing- spent a loonnnggg time looking it all up!

So interesting on the last distances and siblings - I’m in Lewisham and I don’t think they published the last distances and applications info till quite late last year? Impressed with the councils who have it up immediately!

We’ll be sitting on the waiting list and crossing our fingers; we got our second choice but we know a lot of people closer than us who will be on the same waiting list so not holding out too much hope, so far I only know of one family who got their first choice round here.

The ones already published will change and be updated later as things change. It's a bit annoying that it's all so different. I went through it with secondaries recently as I had options in 4 different boroughs.

One thing that might be making it harder to get preferred choice is the number of schools who have reduced their PAN or closed. At least 2 near me have reduced to one form entry.

Southwark and Lambeth.

Southwark and Lambeth. Would be good to know for Judith Kerr, Lyndhurst and Jessop. Thanks!

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/national/25096101.fewer-london-children-secure-top-choice-primary-school/

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions-and-appeals/primary-school-admissions/how-offers-were-made-lambeth-primary-schools-national-offer-day-16-april-2025

@Pred02 not published yet that I can see. Do you know what the usual distance criteria is for your 3 schools?

@CarrotParrot well done, I could only find 2024!

So does that mean you are 1-9 for your first choice? How many places? There is some hope!

I am hoping that if we move out of London we won’t have such trouble again with in year applications, otherwise not sure what we will do. I don’t drive and just can’t access some remote place. Dd is summer born so legally we don’t have to start school, byt that doesn’t seem ideal.

@Inyournewdress it depends where you move to really.

@Starryknightcloud could you have a look for the offer distances for Croydon? I haven’t had any luck!

https://www.croydon.gov.uk/schools-and-education/schools/school-admissions/admissions-infant-junior-and-primary-schools/step-by-step/apply-primary-school-place-step-step/after-you-apply-place @sarahb083