For many families, the deciding factor is not which school is "best", but which good schools are realistically accessible from your home.
This guide shows how to think about school location strategy: start with commute, then understand admissions distance rules, then build a shortlist that won't collapse if cut-offs tighten.
Key takeaways
- Commute is part of school choice; test it in real conditions.
- Distance rules and tie-breakers vary; read policies carefully.
- A good plan includes strong backups, not only a single target.
In this guide
Start with commute, not catchment
Commute is the daily reality. A school that is technically close can still be painful if traffic patterns, public transport reliability, or after-school pickups are difficult.
Test the route at school-run times and consider how the commute will work for five to seven years, not just the first term.
Distance rules are precise (and they vary)
Admissions distance is not always measured the way parents assume. It could be straight-line distance, a defined walking route, or a specific gate-to-gate calculation.
Before you make location decisions, read the distance measurement method and the full tie-break order for your target schools.
If you move or rent: proof-of-address rules matter
Families often lose places because the address evidence does not meet the policy (for example: short lets, insufficient documentation, or timing issues).
If you are considering a move, verify requirements before signing a tenancy or committing to a purchase.
Build backup options that are still good
A location strategy should include plan B schools that you would genuinely accept. The goal is not to "win" one school, but to secure a good outcome.
Use a slightly wider radius to find strong backups, and verify transport feasibility early.
A simple plan you can follow
Use this as a lightweight workflow as you shortlist, visit, and decide.
- Define your maximum commute and test it at school-run hours.
- Map schools around candidate postcodes and build a shortlist.
- Read distance measurement methods and tie-break rules for target schools.
- Verify proof-of-address requirements before any move.
- Identify and visit strong backup schools within a wider radius.
Practical templates
Use these lists as prompts on open days and when comparing schools side-by-side.
- Commute tested at peak times.
- Public transport options checked for reliability and safety.
- Admissions distance rules understood for target schools.
- Proof-of-address requirements verified.
- Backup schools identified and feasible.
- Move timing aligns with admissions timelines.
- How is distance calculated and from which reference point?
- Do you prioritise siblings and how does that affect cut-offs?
- Are feeder schools prioritised?
- What proof of address do you require and for what period?
- What happens if we move after applying?
- Treating catchment as a fixed boundary rather than a yearly moving cut-off.
- Planning a move without checking proof-of-address rules.
- Underestimating travel time and after-school logistics.
- Ignoring backup schools until offers are released.
Use this with Schoolboard
Turn the guide into a shortlist you can compare on the map and school pages.
- Test multiple postcodes on the map to see the reachable set of schools.
- Adjust distance and filters to identify strong backups.
- Compare neighbourhoods by outcomes and feasibility before committing.