Securing a property in the catchment area of your desired school is becoming more and more important to homebuyers. With the numbers of pupils in state-funded education increasing, if you have your heart set on a particular school for the 2025/26 academic year, then your property search journey could begin in just a few months.
The application process for starting reception in Wales begins in November and closes in January, while the applications for secondary schools open in September and close in November. So, now really is the time to start researching your desired school and the surrounding areas to find a property that suits you before the back-to-school chaos commences.
There are multiple reasons for a family’s move, the most popular being to get a bigger home as the family grows. This is closely followed by relocating to catchment areas for good schools.
Research has shown that the number of families and parents who will adjust their living situation for their child’s education is growing. In 2018, over a quarter of parents with children of school age had either bought or rented a new property to secure an address within their desired school’s catchment area.
If this is something you are considering, the first step is to conduct research early on and have a clear and concise idea of the exact area and specifications for your desired property. Parents are starting to plan their move earlier and earlier in the year, so make sure you are thinking ahead to avoid disappointment.
Schools should be able to provide you with a description of their catchment area, and while there is room for fluidity, with the rising number of pupils in state education, a school’s entry requirements may be stricter.
There are multiple benefits to moving to a better catchment area. For example, if the move occurs before the first child’s entry into school, this can make it easier for younger siblings to secure a place, with most schools offering a positive weighting in the admissions process to siblings. However, it is worth remembering that while moving to the catchment area of your desired school will increase your child’s chances of securing a place, it does not guarantee it.
Naturally, popular schools will come with a narrower property bracket, so it is important to have everything in place in terms of your property checklist and financial plans to ease your way into a smooth and quick purchase.
We have a host of properties in the catchment area of renowned Cardiff schools in the Whitchurch and Radyr areas, and have been helping families secure their future home since 1970. For more information on the properties we have available, visit https://thomashwood.com/ or visit us in branch.