Finding home in school catchment areas 'hit or miss'

Those seeking to find a family home in areas that are in the catchment zones for the best schools around London can not be certain that their house falls within its boundaries, it has been reported.

George Franks of Douglas & Gordon estate agency, which covers an area between Clapham and Wandsworth commons, told the Daily Telegraph: "We have had a large handful of enquiries over the last two weeks in the Clapham office, from people wanting to know about the catchment areas of the good primary schools and what houses there cost to buy or rent."

However, he added, local schools are often coy about indicating where their catchment boundaries lie and often set these quite late on.

Such a situation may make renting a better proposition than buying, as moving could be a quicker and easier and quicker thing to do to ensure a child lives in the desired zone.

This may also overcome a potential issue of affordability in such area.

A recently study by investment manager Fidelity International showed that a house could be priced at an average of £50,000 more if it falls in the catchment area of a good state school.

Published 24th September, 2008

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