How School Admissions Work in England
Councils, not schools, handle the applications. Preferences aren't seen by schools. Most "catchment areas" aren't what you think. A practical look at what actually happens between October and March.
What School Exam Results Actually Mean
KS2, Attainment 8, Progress 8, APS, AAB, what each number actually tells you, which ones are worth looking at, and why Progress 8 is missing from the 2024–26 cohorts.
11+ Preparation: What Parents Need to Know About Grammar School Entry
A practical guide to the 11+ exam, what it tests, when to start preparing, which areas have grammar schools, and how to find practice resources.
Choosing the Right School for a Child with Special Educational Needs
How to find a school that genuinely supports your child, SEN units, resourced provisions, EHCPs, and what to look for beyond the Ofsted report.
Which English Councils Issue EHCPs Fastest in 2024? The Full 153-LA Leaderboard
Only 45.9% of new EHCPs were issued within the 20-week legal limit in 2024, down from 50.3% in 2023. We rank every English council by speed, refusal rate and caseload using DfE data.
How PickMySchool Rates SEN Provision: Our Methodology Explained
The SEN Experience Indicator, EHCP counts, LA-level SEND stats, exactly how our SEN features work, where the data comes from, and what they can't tell you.
School Catchment Areas and House Prices: What You Need to Know
How living near a good school affects property values, and how to use PickMySchool to find affordable areas with strong schools.
Best Primary Schools in Reading and Berkshire (2026)
Over 200 primary schools across Reading, Wokingham, Woodley, Earley, and Bracknell. How to compare them and find the right one for your child.
Best Secondary Schools in London: A Borough-by-Borough Guide (2026)
Navigate London's 500+ secondary schools across 33 boroughs. Grammar schools, comprehensives, faith schools, and academies compared.
Grammar Schools in Kent: Complete Guide for Parents (2026)
34 grammar schools, the Kent Test, registration deadlines, and how to compare them all. Everything Kent parents need to know.
Finding the Right SEN School: A Regional Guide for England
Special schools, resourced provisions, SEN units, and mainstream SEND support. How to find the right setting for your child.
How to Appeal a School Place Decision: A Step-by-Step Guide
Your rights, the process, what evidence to present, and how to prepare for the hearing. Covers infant class size appeals too.
Best Schools in Manchester and Greater Manchester (2026)
From Trafford's grammar schools to Manchester's academies. A guide to 1,100+ schools across 10 boroughs.
Best Schools in Birmingham: Grammar Schools, Academies and Faith Schools (2026)
King Edward's grammars, ARK academies, faith schools, and more across England's second city.
School Admission Deadlines 2026/2027: Every Date You Need
Application deadlines, grammar school test dates, offer days, and appeal windows. Never miss a date with our countdown dashboard.
Moving House? How to Choose an Area Based on Schools
Step-by-step process for researching schools and property together. Find hidden gems where school quality is improving but prices haven't caught up.
Best Sixth Forms in England: How to Choose Post-16 Education (2026)
School sixth forms vs colleges, A-level results, subject range, entry requirements, and how to apply.
