Around five million teenagers across the country are currently sitting their GCSE exams, striving to achieve their future education and employment goals. Choosing the right secondary school is a significant decision for parents, and properties in the best catchment areas are now selling at a premium, estimated to be more than £100,000 on average.
According to the Ofsted website, there are 494 non-fee-paying secondary schools in England rated ‘outstanding’. The average property price in these areas is £433,690, compared to a national average of £302,000. This represents a premium of £131,690.
The rental market shows a similar trend. Average rental prices in catchment areas for outstanding secondary schools are £1,960, compared to a nationwide average of £1,285.
Danny Luke, managing director of Quick Move Now, the company behind the data, said: “Parents want to provide the best opportunities they can for their children. Choosing a secondary school for your child is a big decision, and parents are often willing to go to great lengths to get their top choice.
“Which school your children go to can have a big impact on the exam results they achieve and, therefore, their future prospects. As a result, homes in catchment areas for Ofsted ‘outstanding’ secondary schools are always in high demand. Our figures now suggest that families are paying property premiums upwards of £100,000 in order to get their children into the country’s best state secondary schools.”
