Grammar School Catchment Area Guide

Does your address give you priority for admission? This guide explains how catchment areas work and directs you to the resources you need to check your eligibility.

What is a Catchment Area?

A catchment area is a defined geographical area from which a school draws its students. If you live inside the catchment area for a particular grammar school, your child may be given priority for a place over a child who lives outside the area, even if the child outside the area achieved a slightly higher score in the 11+ exam.

Crucially, not all grammar schools have catchment areas. Some allocate places based purely on the 11+ score, regardless of where the student lives. It is vital to check the admissions policy of each school you are interested in.

Why is this important? Living in a catchment area can significantly increase your child's chances of gaining a place. Conversely, if you live outside the catchment area, the required 11+ score might be much higher, or you may not be eligible at all. Be sure to check this early in your preparation using our 11+ Checklist.

How to Check Your Catchment Area

The definitive source for catchment area information is always the school itself or the local authority/consortium that manages its admissions. Postcodes are nearly always used to determine eligibility.

Follow these steps:

  1. Identify Target Schools: Use our League Tables to identify schools you're interested in.
  2. Visit the School's Website: Look for the 'Admissions' section. They will have their latest admissions policy document which details any catchment area rules.
  3. Use Local Authority Tools: Many local councils provide a postcode checker tool for all schools in their region.

Links to Regional Catchment Information

Below are links to the admissions pages for some of the main grammar school regions. Always double-check this information with the school's own website.

Focus on What You Can Control

While you can't change a catchment area, you can give your child the best possible chance of achieving a top score. The Spiral Learning app personalises practice to ensure your child is ready, wherever you live.

Start Free Practice