Moving house to secure a school place? Here’s what you need to know.
Proximity to good schools in an area can add value and generate interest in a property, so it’s easy to see why it’s high on the priority list for many buyers, with or without children. Demand for these properties is always high so if moving house to secure a school place is your goal, it’s important to do your research.
Here are our top-tips of things to consider:
Catchment
A catchment area is a geographical area that will determine if your child can attend a certain school, based on their permanent residence and how far away it is. With catchment areas changing each year depending on demand, the closer you live to the school, the better chance you have of getting your school place accepted.
Priority list
While distance from the school is key, schools will also often prioritise places based on whether a child has a sibling already at the school, their medical and social needs and your child’s faith if you’re applying for a religious school.
When to apply
You can check the local council’s website for all school admission details but the key dates for submitting applications are 31 October for secondary school places and 15 January for primary schools. Your child is less likely to be offered a place at their chosen school if you miss the deadline for applications.
‘In-year’ admissions
Trying to secure a new school place during the middle of the school year can be stressful. Commonly known as ‘in-year admissions’, transferring to a new school midyear requires a lot of preparation and sometimes patience. You will need to apply through the council as soon as you know you’ll be moving to the area but you may be placed on a waiting list until a place becomes available.
Proof of address
If you’re moving house during the school application process, you will need to provide evidence of your new address. This could include a letter from your solicitor confirming the moving date or a copy of the lease agreement from your letting agent if you’re renting a property.
If you want to move within a school’s catchment area to secure a place for your child, we’d advise starting the process as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Why not get in touch with us to talk through your options and get a free valuation on your current home.
