Living in catchment can be the difference between a 5% chance and a 50% chance of getting into your target grammar school. Some schools like Henrietta Barnett only prioritize applicants within 1.5 miles. Others like Tiffin accept students London-wide. Use our free checker to see which grammar schools you're in catchment for.
🗺️ Free Catchment Area Checker
Enter your postcode to see nearby grammar schools and catchment status
Schools Near You:
Understanding Catchment Areas
What is a Catchment Area?
A catchment area is the geographic zone from which a school prioritizes students. If you live in catchment:
- You may get priority admission (ahead of out-of-catchment applicants)
- You may need a lower test score to qualify
- Your chances of admission increase significantly
Types of Catchment Policies
1. Distance-Based (e.g., Henrietta Barnett - 1.5 miles)
- Measured as straight-line distance from school
- Must live at address for 2-3 years before exam
- Very strict - 1.6 miles is out of catchment
2. Borough Priority (e.g., QE Barnet, Sutton schools)
- Residents of specific boroughs get priority
- Lower pass thresholds for in-borough students
- Out-of-borough applications accepted but need higher scores
3. County-Wide (e.g., Kent, Buckinghamshire)
- All county residents have equal access
- No distance advantage
- Selection purely based on exam scores
4. No Restrictions (e.g., Tiffin, St Olave's)
- London-wide or even national acceptance
- Purely score-based selection
- Most competitive due to larger applicant pool
Should You Move for Catchment?
The calculation:
| Factor | Consider Moving If... | Don't Move If... |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage | Very restrictive catchment (HB's 1.5 miles) | No catchment advantage (Kent-wide schools) |
| Cost | Rent difference is £200-400/month | Rent difference is £800+/month |
| Your Child's Ability | Borderline (scoring 125-128) | Well above threshold (135+) or well below (110-) |
| Time | 2+ years before exam | Less than 1 year before exam |
Alternative Strategy: Apply Widely
Instead of moving for one school, apply to 4-6 grammar schools strategically:
- 1 "Reach" school: Very competitive, out of catchment (e.g., Tiffin)
- 2-3 "Match" schools: Your child's score matches typical threshold (e.g., QE, Latymer)
- 2 "Safety" schools: Lower thresholds or in-catchment advantage (e.g., St Olave's, Newstead Wood)
This approach gives you options without moving house.
Find Grammar Schools That Match Your Child's Ability
Our school matcher shows realistic target schools based on your child's current scores and location.
Key Takeaways
- Catchment areas dramatically affect your chances at some schools (HB, Latymer, QE)
- Other schools accept London/county-wide with no catchment advantage (Tiffin, Kent schools)
- Moving for catchment only makes sense for very restrictive schools and borderline students
- Applying to 4-6 schools strategically is safer than moving for one school
- Use our free checker to see which schools you're already in catchment for
Note: Catchment policies change occasionally. Always verify current policies on the school's official website before making decisions. This tool provides general guidance based on 2024-2025 policies.