How do I find the catchment area for the best schools?

My understanding is that in London there's not usually such a thing as a catchment area, as such. Schools generally have entry criteria (such as SEN referrals, religious faith, children with siblings at the school) which are applied by reference to how close you live to the school, then everyone else is selected again by reference to how close they live. So one year you might get a place living 500m away, the next you'd have to be 300m away- it depends on who else has applied. That's how it works where we are anyway (Islington council so not the same as you).

The best thing to do, IMO, would be to call the council and ask them to explain it all to you or pointt you in the direction of the info on-line. Also worth speaking to local estate agents who are always quite hot on which areas typically get places at which schools. It's not guaranteed though.

Thanks Knownowt - that's really useful. it's still a bit up in the air, but seeing as moving house is so horribly expensive, I really want to cover all avenues. I'll contact the council I think

It's all set out here https://www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_37916.pdf

IIRC Foxtons lets you search for houses by proximity to specified schools.

That's brilliant - thanks ??

As KN says, there no such thing nowadays. If a school has, say 60 places, it'll give places to children in special circumstances (in care, SEN, etc) then children with siblings at the school, then they'll award places to the nearest children first. They measure from the front door of the school to the front door of your house, as the crow flies, to the nearest metre.

So it depends on how many children apply and how close they live and that changes each year, obviously. My son didn't get in to his first choice school last year. But this year our next door neighbours got their son in there. Just the way it goes sometimes.

Hello i live near dulwich, and 2 weeks ago we got the results of our school applications. Loads of people didn't get any of their 4 choices, even if they lived really close to their first choice. people have been offered their 12th nearest school and ridiculous stuff like that. we're currently speaking to our MP's and the newspapers about it as it seems to have gone very horribly wrong! one friend of a friend is 75th on the waiting list for their first choice school.

It's also worth noting that catchment rules can and do change - last year the number one choice school round here changed its catchement to homes within a 400m radius for the places left after the church goers and special circs. That's 400m from it's front door, as the crow flies. The year before it was a wider catchment as there were fewer church goers and special circs, and the route was 'the most logical on foot'.

Thanks everyone for your information - I guess it's just one big lottery at the end of the day. *sigh* At least school is a long way off for Spamlet, I just hope things improve in the meantime!