Applying for school places

They don't just go by catchment anymore. You'd probably have a fair chance of getting the school of your choice

Totally depends on the school, their usual application rates and intake numbers, the school usually have a good idea of how many they turn away if you speak to them. I’m applying for a school 10 min drive away vs one at the top of my road and the school I’m applying for said they rarely have people not secure a place. Just totally depends on your area xx

Depends. I used to live in south London where the catchment areas were 500 metres so ended up at a school 3 miles away which was less built up with flats. Depends on how popular it is and how what the catchment area is.

@Sophie thank you, the school I want is oversubscribed most years. Do you know if there would be somewhere on the application to put your reasons for wanting the further away school? My main reasons are the Ofsted reports, but also the majority of the children that my daughter has been at nursery with for the past 3 years will also be going to that school and I'd like her to stay with her friends if possible xx

If it’s oversubscribed, those reasons aren’t going to help. They’d only use reasons like a child having been adopted/in care, having an EHCP, or maybe having a sibling at the school, but the last one doesn’t always help. You might be stuck with your nearer school.

The school both my older children went to wasent my catchment school but we still got it. It really is pot luck as to if you get an out of catchment school

Depends on the entry criteria for the local authority, as some prioritise kids in catchment, others prioritise siblings of kids already at the school. I remember my catchment school when I lived in Reading, however if you didn't live on the street the school was on u barely stood a chance of getting it lol. Please don't go by Ofsted though, go and visit the schools, as often u will be pleasantly surprised!