Buying a House Near a Good School: A Catchment Guide

For many families, getting into a specific school is one of the biggest reasons for a house move. But catchment areas are more complicated than they look, and buying on the assumption of a place can be an expensive mistake.

How catchment areas work

Most community schools give priority by distance, so living closer improves your chances - but there is no fixed line on a map that guarantees a place. Faith schools and grammar schools use different criteria (faith practice, or the 11-plus). Read our full explainer on how school catchment areas work.

Catchments change every year

The "catchment" for an oversubscribed school is really the furthest distance offered a place that year, and it shrinks in years with lots of applicants. A home that was inside the catchment last year may be outside it this year. Never rely on a single year's figure.

What to check before you buy

• Use our catchment checker to estimate your chances at nearby schools from any postcode.
• Look at the school's admissions policy and last few years of distance-offered data, published by the local authority.
• Check the school's Ofsted rating and results - and visit, rather than relying on reputation alone.
• Consider siblings policies and whether you would still be happy with the realistic alternatives nearby.

Look beyond a single school

A strong area usually has several good options. Browse all the schools in a location on our schools by town pages, or compare schools side by side before you decide where to put down roots.