Parents often ask: Am I guaranteed a place at my catchment school – and here are three reasons why they aren’t

Home to school distance tie-breaker

Many schools use home to school distance as a tie-break if a school is oversubscribed within a certain criteria. If the school filled up with other kids in the catchment area who live closer to the school than you do – you’re unlikely to get a place.

Sibling criteria – brothers and sisters

Children who live outside of a catchment area but have a brother or sister already at the school may get priority over children without a sibling at the school, even if they live in the catchment area.

Faith based criteria

Schools that use faith as part of their selection process can often give priority for practicing members of that faith – often requiring validation and a sign off by a relevant religious leader.

Check out findaschool to find out your chances of getting into your local catchment area school.