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Catchment

Grammar school catchment areas explained

The short answer

Some grammar schools have a catchment area and some don't. Where a school has one, children who pass the test and live inside it usually get priority over those who live outside. Many schools also use distance to decide the last places. Every school publishes its own rules, including how it measures distance and which address counts, so the only reliable answer for a particular school is in its admission policy.

What to do next

  1. Step 1: Read each school’s admission policy

    It says whether there is a , how distance is measured and which address counts.

  2. Step 2: Check which address counts, and when

    Your child’s home address on a date set in each policy is the one that is used.

    Moving house and the 11+

  3. Step 3: Use a catchment checker

    See whether your home is inside a school’s catchment area, where one is published.

What is a catchment area?

A catchment area is a map area set by a school's admission authority. Children living inside it get higher priority for places, usually after children in care and sometimes after other groups. The School Admissions Code says catchments must be reasonable and clearly defined; living outside one does not stop you applyingRules for catchment areasChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Catchment areas do not prevent parents who live outside the catchment of a particular school from expressing a preference for the school.View the official source.

Some schools use other names, such as a "priority area" or "designated area", and some use more than one area with different priorities.

Do all grammar schools have catchment areas?

No. Grammar schools take different approaches:

  • Catchment first: priority to children who pass and live in the catchment, then others.
  • Distance only: places among children who pass go to those living closest.
  • Score order: places go to the highest scorers, wherever they live, though some of these schools also limit how far away applicants can live.
  • A mix, for example some places for local children and some for the highest scorers.

Whatever the rule, a parent can apply for any state-funded school in any areaYou can apply to schools in any council areaChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: a parent can apply for a place for their child at any state-funded school in any area.View the official source. Living outside a catchment doesn't stop you applying; it just changes your priority.

How is distance measured?

The Code requires that each school must say exactly how it measures distance and decides your home addressHow schools must explain distanceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Admission authorities must clearly set out how distance from home to the school and/or any nodal points used in the arrangements will be measured.View the official source. Look in each school's policy for:

  • the method: straight-line distance or a walking or road route;
  • the measuring point at the school, such as the main gate;
  • the measuring point at your home, such as the front door or the centre of the property;
  • the tie-break if two children live the same distance away.

Which address counts?

Your child's home address on a date set in each policy. For example, most Buckinghamshire grammar schools use the address on 1 September 2026Buckinghamshire 2027 entry: Address date (where your child must live)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: For most grammar schools, this is the cut-off date for the home address they’ll use for applicants in the main allocation of school places.View the official source for 2027 entry. Policies usually also explain what happens if parents live apart, if you rent, or if you move after applying. Councils check addresses. The School Admissions Code says an offer can be withdrawn if it was obtained through a fraudulent or intentionally misleading applicationWhen an offer can be withdrawnChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: An admission authority must not withdraw an offer unless it has been offered in error, a parent has not responded within a reasonable period of time, or it is established that the offer was obtained through a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application.View the official source. See moving house for a grammar school.

How do you check a school's catchment?

  1. Read the school's determined admission policy for your child's entry year, usually on its website.
  2. Look for a catchment map or a list of postcodes or parishes.
  3. Check past allocations, where councils publish them, to see which rule the last places went under. Our school pages show this where it is available.
  4. Use a catchment checker if your area has one. See our catchment checker.

Past allocations describe past years only. They are a guide, not a promise.

Sources

Facts on this page come from the School Admissions Code 2021, archived on 9 October 2026, and our verified Buckinghamshire records.

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any school or council. How we make our content.

Facts used in this guidesources in each row
FactDetailSource
Rules for catchment areascatchments must be reasonable and clearly defined; living outside one does not stop you applyingSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
You can apply to schools in any council areaa parent can apply for any state-funded school in any areaSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
How schools must explain distanceeach school must say exactly how it measures distance and decides your home addressSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
Buckinghamshire 2027 entry: Address date (where your child must live)1 September 2026Source: Buckinghamshire Council, checked
When an offer can be withdrawnan offer can be withdrawn if it was obtained through a fraudulent or intentionally misleading applicationSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked

Written and checked by the ExamKind Editorial Team. Every fact on this page links to its official source. ExamKind is independent: no test provider, school or council owns us, and we have no ads. Spotted a mistake? Report an error on this page, or see every correction we have made.