How Are State School Places Allocated? A Parent’s Guide

If you’re applying for a school place for your child, you’ve probably heard a lot about catchment areas and how they affect admissions. Many parents assume that living within a catchment area guarantees a place, while living outside means you have no chance. However, the reality is more nuanced.

This guide explains how school places are generally allocated in England, what happens when a school is oversubscribed, and how you can make informed choices in your application.

The Basics: How School Places Are Offered

1️⃣ Everyone Gets Their First Preference—If There’s Space

When you submit your school application, you list your preferred schools in order of priority. If a school has enough places for everyone who applies, all applicants will be offered a place—regardless of where they live.

It’s only when a school receives more applications than available places (i.e., it is oversubscribed) that admission criteria come into play.

What Happens If a School Is Oversubscribed?

Each school has its own admissions criteria, which determine who gets a place when there are more applicants than spaces available. These are set by the local authority (for community and voluntary-controlled schools) or by the school itself (for academies, free schools, and faith schools).

Common Admissions Criteria (in Order of Priority)

When a school is oversubscribed, places are allocated based on these priority factors:

✅ Children with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) – If a child has an EHCP naming the school, they must be offered a place.

✅ Looked-after or previously looked-after children – Children in care or who have been adopted from care have top priority.

✅ Siblings – Many schools prioritise children with an older brother or sister already at the school.

✅ Catchment Area or Distance – This is often the deciding factor for oversubscribed schools. Some schools have a defined catchment area, while others use a simple distance-from-school rule, prioritising children who live closest.

✅ Other Factors – Some schools (especially faith schools) may prioritise applicants based on religious affiliation. Others may give priority to children of staff members. A small number have selection criteria, such as grammar schools or schools that allocate places based on aptitude in music or sport.

📝 Important Note: Catchment areas do not guarantee a place. They only define which children have priority if a school is oversubscribed.

How the Process Works: Step-by-Step

1️⃣ Parents submit applications, listing multiple school preferences. 

2️⃣ If a school has spaces, all applicants are offered a place. 

3️⃣ If a school is oversubscribed, places are allocated based on the school’s admissions criteria. 

4️⃣ If a child doesn’t get their first choice, their second preference is considered in the same way—as if it were their first choice. 

5️⃣ If none of the preferred schools have space, the child is allocated a place at the nearest school with availability.

💡 Key takeaway: Listing a school lower on your preference list does not reduce your child’s chances of getting in. If there’s space, they’ll still be offered a place.

Common Myths About School Admissions

🚫 "I must put my top-choice school as my first preference or I won’t get a place." 

✅ Not true. Preferences only come into play if more people apply than there are places. Schools don’t know whether you listed them first or last.

🚫 "Living in catchment means my child is guaranteed a place." 

✅ No. If there are more applicants than places, even some children within the catchment may miss out.

🚫 "If I only list one school, they have to give me a place." 

✅ No. If that school is full, your child will be allocated a place elsewhere—possibly at a school you wouldn’t have chosen.

🚫 "If my child doesn’t get into any of our preferred schools, they won’t get a place anywhere." 

✅ Every child is guaranteed a school place—but it may not be at a preferred school.

How to Make the Best Choices in Your Application

✔️ List multiple schools – If your first choice is oversubscribed, having second and third choices increases your chances of getting a school you like.

✔️ Check previous years’ admissions data – Many local authorities publish information on how far away the last child admitted lived in previous years. This can help you assess your chances.

✔️ Be realistic – If a school is highly oversubscribed and you live far away, your chances may be slim.

✔️ Consider schools with space – If a school has historically had spare places, your child is more likely to get in.

✔️ Check the admissions criteria – Schools differ in how they allocate places. Make sure you understand the rules for the schools you’re applying to.

Final Thoughts

Understanding how school places are allocated can help you make informed decisions. Your best approach is to apply strategically—balancing ambition with realism—to maximise your chances of getting a school that works for your family.

If you’re still unsure, your local authority’s admissions team can provide further guidance, and many publish detailed information about school admissions in your area.