School Catchment Area Guides
Everything parents need to know about school admissions and catchment areas in England.
5 min read
How School Catchment Areas Work in England
A complete guide to catchment areas — how they are set, how distance is measured, and what "last distance offered" means.
4 min read
Primary School Catchment Areas Explained
How primary school catchment areas work, when to apply, and how to maximise your chances of getting your preferred school.
4 min read
Secondary School Catchment Areas Explained
Everything parents need to know about secondary school catchment areas, including grammar schools and academies.
3 min read
School Admissions Timeline in England
Key dates for primary and secondary school applications in England — when to apply, when offers are made, and what to do if you miss the deadline.
6 min read
How to Appeal a School Place in England
Step-by-step guide to appealing a school place refusal — deadlines, grounds for appeal, what happens at a hearing, and how to give yourself the best chance.
4 min read
How School Waiting Lists Work in England
How waiting list positions are calculated, how they change over time, and what to do while waiting for a place at your preferred school.
5 min read
Ofsted Ratings Explained
What Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate mean — plus the 2025 framework change and how to read an inspection report.
5 min read
In-Year Admissions: Applying for a School Place Mid-Year
How to apply for a school place outside the normal admissions round — who to contact, timescales, waiting lists, and your rights if refused.