As the Crow Flies Measurement

[Rosylee1976]

Does the LA use a specfic website to check measurement. There seems to be a few on the net. I want to get an accurate measurement as the school I am aiming for is out of the catchment area and my daughter will be assessed on category 5.

Ours uses "as the crow flies" based on Ordnance Survey data; some schools in the borough used to use the "safest walking route". I assume they buy in specialist software. I have heard of LAs being prepared to check distances over the phone - why not ring up and ask them.

Is is a fixed catchment distance or does it move each year dependent on the number in each category? If the latter I would be very wary as catchments can suddenly shrink.

Each LA will have their own system but effectively they all work from Ordnance Survey data and are good down to a metre or less in terms of accuracy.
The key is what they are measuring, it can be straight line distance or nearest walking route or nearest driving route. If we are talking straight line distance, some use the set datum points on both residence and school and as such there is little room for any issues unless they use the wrong house! Some LAs however specify the main gate or the front door or the nearest gate , which can cause potential problems, so you need to be very sure about what the LA are measuring.
Where there is clearly more potential for argument is if we are talking about distance measured based on safe walking route etc as there is the potential to miss of paths and roads. You again need to be very clear about what the LA is measuring because it can make a substantial difference to the measurement. The actual mechanism for measurement can be found in the guidance given out by the LA, which will be on their web site. If it is not clear please ask the LA to be specific about what they allow and do not allow. For instance, some LAs have agreed safe walking paths and only allow those paths, no others are allowed no matter how safe they might be.The safe walking paths being agreed each year.