Barnet primary admissions: how strictly are catchment distances applied?

[barnetmama]

We are currently looking at primary options for next year and I am already spiralling. We're based in Barnet, and the competition for the top schools here feels absolutely brutal.

I’ve been trying to map out our realistic chances for a couple of nearby schools, but the historic cut-off distances change so much year to year.

For those who have been through the Barnet admissions chaos recently; how strict are they usually on the catchment radius? If a school is oversubscribed, do they ever stretch the distance slightly, or is it a hard 'no' if you're even a few metres outside?.

What you are describing is 'last distance admitted' and not a true catchment area. Once the school has filled their places, they won't offer any more until someone declines a place. So it's not about stretching the catchment, it's about offering places in admissions order, and the distances published refer to how far away the last child to be offered a place lives. There are strict rules about not going over 30 in a class in infants, so they can't squeeze one more in, unless there are valid exceptions e.g. twins, child has an EHCP.

Some hopeful news though - often admissions distances refer to last distance offered when offers go out in April. This distance can stretch slightly if some people turn places down e.g. move house, go private, get a place at a higher preference school. Also in many areas birth rates are lower. Where I live (another outer London borough), quite a few previously popular schools are not full for Reception.

Yes agree. If it was a catchment area as such (some still exist) then the furthest distance offered would not change. Since it does, that either means there is no defined catchment, or there is, but the school also offers to families outside catchment (once all in-catchment families who listed the school have a place, presumably). That's what a popular secondary near me does.

What the LA cannot do, as @BendingSpoons notes, is offer above the usual limit of 30 pupils in a class.

There's no need to panic though or worry too much about "top schools".

How many preferences do you get? I think it is six for London? If so, list the schools you prefer in the order you prefer them, even if the top one or two are very long shots. Don't ask, won't get.

Then make sure you have at least one school that is local to you that you are sure to get in to. The school at the end of your road. It may not be a favourite but it for sure is better than an unpopular school three miles away. If you list the local school and qualify for a space, and if there is no space for your DC at any of your higher prefs, you will be offered the local one, even if you listed it sixth. Does that make sense?

All local authority schools in Barnet are rated good or outstanding so be assured by that. There is high demand because more people are moving into the borough from inner London and because it has excellent state schools. There are no 'top' schools though, just ones that suit some children better than others. Make sure you pick six primaries you would be happy for your child to attend and that they will get into based on previously admitted distance and other criteria. You can't game the system by only putting your 'top' preference.

And god knows, I have my issues with Barnet Council for many reasons but the admissions system is not 'chaos'. It's very straightforward and fairly applied.

You can also see if there was anywaiting list movemnt if you go to google previous admissions stattistics hertfordshire as they pulbish any distance changes by school for continuing interest 1 and 2. Continuing interest 2 for this year should be coming out this week

Yes I agree with this.

I think some of @barnetmama's language is a bit unneeded. As I suggested too, "top schools" is not a thing. Which is the school that would best suit your DC? then put that one top of your list (as long as you have a chance of getting a place). And if all schools are good or better then happy days. Talking about feelings "spiralling", the process being "brutal" (it isn't; it's about as fair as it can be and very transparent) and the system being "chaos" (again, it is not) doesn't help anyone really.

Do your research and fill all slots on the form. Sounds as though you have decent options for primary and presumably any of them will be close by which is a win.

'top schools' for primary is in my opinion overrated. Look for a school nearby with good extra curricular activities/after and before school provision. Primary is primary after all and they all need to follow the same curriculum. Secondary is more important when it comes to choosing where to live.

I never bought in to the hype of getting the 'best' primary when mine were small, they went to a bog standard 'good' (ofsted) primary and it was lovely. A long standing small primary who didn't have a high turnover of teachers/staff and served the local community.