A recent study has put Milton Keynes on the list for one of the most competitive catchment areas in the country for outstanding schools in the country.
New research conducted by mortgage brokers Mojo Mortgage shows which areas of the country offer the best and worst chances for pupils looking to secure a place at 'outstanding' schools in September 2022.
Milton Keynes has been listed as seventh on the list, above places such as Bolton and Ipswich, with around 4,223 ten-year-olds in the town potentially vying for places at outstanding schools.
The numbers are based on Ofsted’s latest inspection reports.
The ten locations with the most competitive catchment areas for outstanding secondary schools:
- Hull (3,260 pupils per school)
- Sunderland (3,139 pupils per school)
- Plymouth (3,123 pupils per school)
- Peterborough (3,019 pupils per school)
- Colchester (2,465 pupils per school)
- Wakefield (2,120 pupils per school)
- Milton Keynes (2111.5 pupils per school)
- Bolton (2,019 pupils per school)
- Canterbury (1,846 pupils per school)
- Ipswich (1,809 pupils per school)
Further listings and data for both primary and secondary schools across England specifically can be found here.
Richard Hayes, CEO and Co-Founder of Mojo mortgages, said: “While the 2021/22 academic year may have only just begun, for the parents of three and ten year olds across the country, thoughts will already be turning to applications for September next year.
“We all want to give our children the access to the best possible education and a place at an outstanding school is an obvious way to maximise chances of doing this. However, it’s clear that the opportunities to secure a place at one of these schools does vary quite drastically across England.
“For those living in the most competitive areas and hoping to use catchment areas as a means of securing a place it’s important to be realistic about your chances of finding a property in the coming months. Whereas for homeowners in these areas thinking about selling in the near future, this could be a prime opportunity to make your home even more attractive to families before it goes to market.”
Daniel Copley, Consumer Spokesperson at Zoopla, adds: "The impact of school catchment areas on buyers can not be underestimated, with this factor even playing a deciding role for families choosing the location of their next home.
“In fact, our research shows that parents are willing to pay nearly £29,000 extra on average for a property within an outstanding school catchment area, while some families go as far as renting in an area to ensure they're within the school catchment for the beginning of the school year."
Applications for September 2022 entry secondary school places close on Sunday 31st October 2021, while for primary school places you have until Saturday 15 January 2022.
