Catchment if you can: Should you move to get your kids in to a better school?.

Your children are going to be in school for at least 12 years. It’s a no brainer that you’d want them to get the best education possible during that time.

But, unfortunately, the level of education provided by individual schools can vary. Whilst some have amazing facilities, teachers and management, other schools may have issues with behaviour or less opportunities for personal development.

So, what can you do if you want to get your children into an ‘outstanding’ school?

In this blog, we explore whether moving closer to a top-rated school is worthwhile, what it might cost, and what other factors influence school admissions.

How many schools are rated ‘Outstanding’?

For a school to obtain the top rating (Outstanding), they need to meet the highest possible standards across the four areas that inspectors evaluate. These are the quality of education, the behaviour and attitudes of the pupils, the personal development of the pupils, and the leadership and management of the school.

According to OFSTED’s latest inspection data, only 17% of schools in England received an “Outstanding” rating. The majority (66%) were rated “Good,” while 15% required improvement and 2% were deemed inadequate.

What is a catchment area?

A catchment area is the geographical area surrounding a school, and it will be where the bulk of children attending that school will be picked from, based on their permanent address. Local schools and authorities may have their own ways of defining the area, but they are usually calculated by straight-line distance, walking distance or driving distance from the school, or encompass specific neighbourhoods.

Catchment areas vary significantly across the UK. In rural regions, they are typically larger due to lower population density and fewer schools. In contrast, urban catchments around oversubscribed schools (or in areas with numerous schools) may only expand to less than a half a mile from the school gates.

Whilst most public schools have a catchment area, some grammar schools will base admissions on entrance exams instead of a home address. Private schools don’t have catchments, and don’t need to admit local children, but may have their own admissions criteria.

You can often check your catchment area by entering your postcode on your local council’s website.

Is it more expensive to buy a house near good schools?

The simple answer is yes!

If the area you’re looking at has access to a great school (or is close to several good schools), it’s almost certainly going to be popular with families. This means that if you want to buy in these locations, you can expect competition and to pay a premium.

In January 2025, a study found that homes in sought-after catchments sell for £65,000 more on average, rising to £115,750 in London.

Would this be a price you’d be willing to pay to get your child a better education? Speak to our expert mortgage team at Together to see how we can help turn your aspiration into action.

Does being in a catchment area guarantee acceptance to a school?

Living closer to a good school will improve your chances of admission, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a place. Here are some other factors that are used to decide which school each child will attend if classes are over-subscribed:

• Siblings – If the child has a brother or sister already attending the school, they will often get priority. But, if you’re successful in getting your child into the school, this priority will make it easier to enroll younger siblings in later years.


• Religion – Faith schools will prioritise students that belong to a particular religion when classes are oversubscribed. This doesn’t mean that children of different faiths shouldn’t apply, but faith will be the deciding factor if there is a choice to be made between applications.


• Feeder schools – Some secondary schools will prioritise students that attended a particular primary school. Families with younger children should check if local primary schools feed into the secondary school they’re targeting.


• Parent employed at the school – If the child has a parent that works at the school, they may get priority even if they live outside of the catchment area.

To maximise your chances, make sure that you do your research on the school (including visiting on open days to view the facilities and talk to the staff) and complete your application on time and truthfully. In a recent study, 27% of parents admitted to bending the rules, such as lying about their address or religion, but this can lead to failed applications if found out.

If you don’t get your child into the school that you want, you can ask to be placed on the waiting list in case other children drop out. Or, if you think the decision is unfair (based on your child meeting the school’s admission criteria or administrative errors), you can choose to appeal it.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re thinking of moving to be closer to a school or you’ve simply grown out of your current home, it can be a big decision for you and your family.

At Together, we can make getting a mortgage for your new home easier. Our flexible finance options have supported thousands of families in making their move, even in situations where traditional lenders can’t (including self-employed applicants, business owners with complex or multiple incomes, and families looking to buy a non-standard property).