UK Schools May Not Base Admissions on Grades

In Hong Kong, school placements are divided into 36 catchment areas, and many parents move to preferred catchment areas to meet their children’s educational needs. In the UK, public schools, except for Grammar Schools, do not use academic performance as an admission criterion. However, schools do have various criteria for prioritizing applicants, primarily based on the proximity of their residence. Some schools also consider factors such as the applicant’s religion, family connections to the school, whether the family is eligible for free school meals, and whether parents have been employed at the school for over two years.

Emphasis on Proximity to Schools

If the number of applicants exceeds the number of available places, and many applicants share the same religion, admissions are primarily determined by the proximity of their residence. Simply put, the closer the residence is to the school, the higher the chances of being admitted.

Each School Has a Catchment Area

Each UK school has its own catchment area. Students living outside this area have lower chances of admission. Most schools’ websites or local council websites provide catchment area information and historical admission records, including whether the area is covered. It is advisable to research these details before applying to public schools.

Check the Proportion of Good Schools in the Area

Parents are advised to consider the proportion of “Good” or “Outstanding” schools within a catchment area. A higher percentage of such schools generally increases the likelihood of being admitted to a good school.

Consider Affordability in Higher-Priced Areas

However, it’s important to note that, in London, many areas with high percentages of “Good” or “Outstanding” schools, such as Kingston, Ealing, and Harrow, have higher average property prices. For example, the average property price in Kingston upon Thames was £715,789 last year, a 10% increase from the previous year. Parents may find that their budget falls short if they spend a lot of time and effort choosing preferred schools and areas only to discover that property prices exceed their budget.

Hongkongers Prioritize Education Quality When Choosing a Home

Historically, the saying “Meng Mu San Qian” (Meng’s mother moved three times) reflects the importance of education. The top cities in the UK that Hongkongers frequently move to, such as Birmingham, Reading, Bristol, Nottingham, Oxford, and Edinburgh, all have a high number of quality primary, secondary schools, and universities. This indicates that Hongkongers prioritize education quality in their relocation decisions, along with other factors like living standards and personal circumstances.

Carefully Choose Schools and Homes

Choosing a home is akin to choosing a school. Regardless of location, it is most important that the home is affordable, and that both the living and educational experiences are satisfactory. There is plenty of information available online and in various media. For those interested in moving to the UK and finding better educational resources for their children, it is worth gathering as much information as possible.