You’ve spent months helping your child prepare for the 11+ exam. They’ve worked hard, their mock exam scores are improving, and you’re feeling confident. But there is one crucial factor in the grammar school application process that has nothing to do with academic ability, and it can often be the ultimate decider: the catchment area.
For the highly competitive grammar schools in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, simply achieving a qualifying score is often not enough. Where you live can be the single most important factor in whether your child is offered a place.
Many parents underestimate the importance of their postcode, leading to disappointment on National Offer Day. At elevenplus.com, we believe in providing clear, direct advice to help you navigate this complex landscape. This guide will explain what catchment areas are, how they work in Bucks and Berks, and how you can check your status.
In this definitive guide, you will learn:
- Why catchment areas are so critical in the 11+ process.
- A clear breakdown of how catchment areas work for the Buckinghamshire grammar schools.
- An overview of the more complex catchment situation in Berkshire, including Kendrick and the Slough Consortium.
- A simple guide on how to check if your address falls within a school’s priority area.
What is a Catchment Area and Why Does it Matter?
A catchment area (sometimes called a “designated area” or “priority area”) is a defined geographical zone around a school. Children whose permanent home address is within this area are given priority for a place over children who live outside it, even if the child outside has a higher 11+ score.
In heavily oversubscribed areas like Bucks and Berks, there are far more children who achieve the qualifying score than there are available places. Schools use their admissions criteria to decide who gets a place, and for almost all of them, living in the catchment area is the top priority after Looked After Children and those in receipt of Pupil Premium.
The bottom line: In most cases, if you live outside the catchment area, your chances of gaining a place are extremely low, regardless of your child’s score.
The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools
The situation in Buckinghamshire is relatively straightforward. All 13 grammar schools that form The Buckinghamshire Grammar Schools (TBGS) consortium have defined catchment areas.
- The Process: A child must first achieve the qualifying score of 121 in the Secondary Transfer Test. Once all the qualifying children are identified, places are allocated, with priority given to children who live within the catchment area.
- The Reality: Due to the sheer number of applicants, almost all places at these popular schools are filled by children from within the catchment area.
The Berkshire Grammar Schools
The situation in Berkshire is more complex, as there are different consortiums and standalone schools. However, the principle of the catchment area remains just as important.
- Kendrick School (Reading): Kendrick has two “Priority Areas.” The school is very clear in its admissions policy that no candidate living outside these designated areas has been offered a place since they were introduced in 2013. The school strongly advises parents outside the area not to register their child for the test.
- Reading School (Boys): Reading School also has a designated catchment area, and gives priority to boys living within it.
- The Slough Consortium: The four grammar schools in the Slough Consortium (Herschel, Langley, St Bernard’s Catholic, and Upton Court) also give priority to children living within their defined catchment area.
[Image: A stylised map graphic showing the concept of a school with a defined catchment area circle around it.]
How to Check if You Are in a Catchment Area
This is the most important step you must take. Do not rely on hearsay or what you think you know from previous years, as boundaries can and do change.
- Go to the Source: The only sources you should trust are the school’s official website or your Local Authority’s website.
- Find the Admissions Policy: Look for the “Admissions” section on the website of your target school. You need to find the admissions policy for the correct year of entry (e.g., “Admissions 2026”).
- Look for a Map or Postcode Checker: Most schools will provide a detailed map of their catchment area. Many now also provide an online postcode checker, which is the easiest way to get a definitive answer.
- Check for Every School: Do not assume that because you are in the catchment for one school, you are in the catchment for another, even if they are close geographically. You must check for each school you are interested in.
A Non-Negotiable Factor
While it can be a difficult reality for many parents, the catchment area is a non-negotiable part of the 11+ process in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Understanding your position early on is crucial. It allows you to create a realistic and targeted list of schools, saving you and your child from potential disappointment later in the process.
Ready to learn more about the specific schools in your area?
➡️ Explore our detailed guides to the Buckinghamshire 11+ Test and the Berkshire 11+ Exams for more expert advice.
