School Admissions Blog & Guides
Expert advice on finding the right school, understanding admissions, and making informed decisions for your child.
"The pupils are leaving": what happens when your child's school is shrinking
Falling rolls are now affecting 1,959 state schools — about 1 in 10 primaries and secondaries. What does it actually mean for your child if their school is on the list?
Every Outstanding primary in England — an interactive map
England has 1,817 state primaries rated Outstanding. We plotted every single one. The map reveals where England's primary-school quality concentrates — and where it doesn't.
Boys, girls, mixed: what 27,000 schools actually tell us about single-sex outcomes
The case for single-sex schools is mostly made from anecdote. We compared the full dataset of state primaries and secondaries by gender. The results aren't quite what either side expects.
The tightest school catchments in England in 2026
Some schools in England now admit only pupils living within a quarter mile. We mapped the 30 tightest primary and secondary catchments — and what they cost in housing premiums.
The rare double: postcode areas where both the primaries AND the secondaries are Good
Across the 2,274 postcode areas in England with schools, we found 697 where you can realistically be in catchment for multiple Good-or-better schools at both phases. Top 30 in the post; full list in Pro.
GCSE results in context: 15 secondaries getting elite results from non-elite intakes
Attainment 8 mostly reflects who the school admits. But 3,056 secondaries gave us the numbers to ask a better question: which schools serve high-disadvantage intakes AND deliver well above the national average?
5 financial warning signs every parent should check before choosing a school
School finance data is public, free, and almost never read by the parents whose children depend on it. Here's what to look for — and why 1 in 10 English state schools currently shows the patterns.
The £45,000 school decision: paying for the catchment vs paying for private
In many top state-school catchments, the house-price premium quietly exceeds what you'd have spent on private school fees. We do the arithmetic.
The 23 schools that went from Inadequate to Outstanding — and how
Across England, only 23 state schools have completed the full Inadequate → Outstanding Ofsted journey. We list every one of them and the patterns they share.
58% of "Outstanding" schools were last inspected before the pandemic
Of the 2,281 state schools in England currently rated Outstanding, 1,318 — 58% — were last inspected before March 2020. Some haven't been visited since 2006.
Schools Heading Into Financial Trouble: 2,021 English State Schools Showing Material Stress
An analysis of every state primary and secondary in England identifies 2,021 schools running deficits, with negative reserves, or below capacity — the early signals of a budget squeeze. Charts and rankings inside.
Beating the Postcode: 482 State Primaries Where Disadvantage Doesn't Determine Outcomes
An analysis of 16,692 English state primaries finds 482 schools serving high-disadvantage intakes that match or exceed the national average for results. Charts and rankings inside.
School Open Days: What to Ask and What to Look For
A practical guide to school open days. The questions to ask, the things headteachers won't volunteer, and the signals that matter beyond the polished tour.
Moving House for a School Catchment: A Parent's Guide for 2026
Thinking of moving to get into a school catchment? Practical advice on timing, proving residency, falling distances, and avoiding fraud allegations.
How to Appeal a School Place Decision in 2026
Step-by-step guide to appealing a school place decision in England. Understand the process, timelines, grounds for appeal, and how to prepare your case.
Primary School Admissions 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Complete guide to applying for primary school places in England for September 2026 entry. Deadlines, criteria, catchment areas, and tips from education experts.
Secondary School Admissions 2026: A Parent's Complete Guide
Everything parents need to know about applying for secondary school places in England for September 2026. Deadlines, 11-plus, grammar schools, and more.
Complete UK School Admissions Guide
Everything you need to know about applying for school places in England.
Ofsted Ratings Explained
What the grades mean, how inspections work, and what to look for.
Understanding Progress 8
The most important measure for secondary schools, explained simply.
School Catchment Areas Explained
How catchment areas work, how to check yours, and why distances change.
How to Choose the Right School
A framework for evaluating and comparing schools for your child.