How do catchment areas work?
A catchment area is the geographic area a school prioritises in its admissions, but it is only one part of the oversubscription criteria. Places are allocated using the full criteria — often siblings, faith and distance — set by the admissions authority, and catchment cut-offs can change each year with demand.
Catchment is one criterion, not the whole story
Living in catchment improves your chances but does not guarantee a place. Read each school's full oversubscription criteria to understand how places are actually allocated.
Why catchments change
Boundaries and cut-off distances shift year to year depending on how many families apply and where they live. Last year's distance is a guide, not a promise.
Featured guides
Understanding catchment areas
How catchment areas and oversubscription criteria work, why they change, and how to check them before you apply or move.
Applying for primary school places
The primary school application timeline — when to apply, how places are offered and what to do if you need to appeal.
Moving home for schools
How families plan a move around school admissions — timing, catchment checks and helping children settle in calmly.
Questions families ask
How do catchment areas work?
A catchment area is the geographic area a school prioritises in its admissions, but it is only one part of the oversubscription criteria. Places are allocated using the full criteria — often siblings, faith and distance — set by the admissions authority, and catchment cut-offs can change each year with demand.
Does living in catchment guarantee a school place?
No. Catchments and cut-off distances change with demand each year, so living nearby improves your chances but does not guarantee an offer.
Where can I check a school's catchment?
Check the school's or local authority's published admissions criteria and recent distance data. These are the official sources for catchment information.
Related categories
Keep researching
Fammove educates, it does not recommend. We explain how families research schools using official data and anonymised community insights — this is information, not rankings or advice. We never fabricate statistics; always check the official source linked from each school.