Archived Topic
Topic ID 1730
24/07/2006 by Dude
School catchment areas
I've come to the point in my life where I have to start paying attention to school options in the near future!
However, I cannot seem to find any clear informtion on the borders of the local school catchment areas.
Can anyone shed any light on an information point, or how the catchment area borders look for Hertford, Ware, Stanstead Abbotts, Roydon and Watton?
Also, is catchment area becoming more or less important these day?
Thanks!
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 21355
24/07/2006 by Leo Densian
quote:
is catchment area becoming more or less important these day?
Without a doubt - more houses being built but no sign of increased school places to support them.
The estate agents like to use the phrase 'favoured SG13 school catchment area' ie. if you are at the SG14 end of town you are more likely to get Sele for a secondary school than say, Presdales or Simon Balle unless you already have a child there and the sibling rule applies.
As far as primary schools in Hertford go I think they are all pretty good, but as I have first hand experience of Abel Smith through my own kids I would recommend it without hesitation.
I know of people who, now their daughter has a Presdales place for September, are now moving house to one out of the likely catchment area. Someone else is contemplating a move 'on paper', back to a parents house to guarantee a school other than Sele, which is not to their liking.
Reply ID 21356
24/07/2006 by nora batty
I too am considering secondary schools as I have to make choices in the autumn.
As I understand it, the catchment area stretches according to the number of children applying to the school. But only a portion (dunno how many) of the school places will be offered to children from the immediate area, as all secondary schools in Hertford are also obliged to take a certain number of children from the villages. In addition (and again, as I understand it) the rules have changed again this year so that all children must be allowed a single sex option, which means that some children well outside of the usual catchment are eligible for Richard Hale or Presdales. I have friends in Oaklands/Welwyn that will be applying for single sex school in Hertford.
If I am wrong, I would really appreciate the correct info!
Reply ID 21362
24/07/2006 by Leo Densian
quote:
I have friends in Oaklands/Welwyn that will be applying for single sex school in Hertford
Unless Welwyn is classified as a 'priority' area for Hertford (and I could't be sure) I think they might be unlucky Nora. Follow the link to try and understand the policy:
[url]
http://www.hertsdirect.org/scholearn/admissions/singlesexrules/[/url]
Dont know what the split is for this coming September but last year about 40% of Presdales places went to Hertford girls.
Reply ID 21367
24/07/2006 by nora batty
They have twin boys...
Reply ID 21386
24/07/2006 by Dude
Hmmm. I'm currently SG13, but that doesn't automatically give me the right to put my boys in an SG13 school?
Does anyone know the common catchment area schools for Stanstead Abbotts or Roydon?
Reply ID 21389
24/07/2006 by James007
quote:
Originally posted by Dude
Hmmm. I'm currently SG13, but that doesn't automatically give me the right to put my boys in an SG13 school?
Does anyone know the common catchment area schools for Stanstead Abbotts or Roydon?
SG12 would do the job for Stanstead Abbotts.
Not sure about Roydon - try Essex County Coucil's website.
Reply ID 21393
24/07/2006 by nora batty
Roydon gets Sheredes,(Hoddesdon) John Warner (Hoddesdon) or The Broxbourne School, I believe.
Reply ID 21406
24/07/2006 by CityBird
Is there anyone at Herts County Council you can talk to to find out what your chances are of getting a place at a particular school? I did phone but got passed around various people before being cut off.
Reply ID 21454
25/07/2006 by Dude
So If I moved out of Hertford, to say, Stanstead Abbotts, would I seriously weaken my boys chances of getting into Richard Hale or Simon Balle? Or would I just slightly lower my chances?
10 replies