It’s natural that parents want to give the best start in life to their children. Parents will often make lifestyle changes and sacrifice their own free time to provide a taxi service to and from after school activities, sports events, music and dance lessons, theatre groups, the list goes on!
For the majority of parents, they willingly accept doing all of the above and see it as part of their parental responsibility.
When it comes to educating their children and choosing which school they would like them to attend, some parents will dig deep financially and move home, or even rent a property in a school catchment area to ensure they increase their chances of securing a place.
Catchment Area Statistics
A survey recently carried out by Opinium Research on behalf of Santander Bank made some startling findings:
- 25% of those surveyed have moved or changed address to be in their preferred schools catchment area
- 17% bought or rented a second home in a school catchment area
- In Wales, parents paid an additional 15% to secure a house in the right area for their school of choice
- Up to 33% of parents have had to make changes with work i.e. changing jobs or working longer hours
- 25% of parents had to leave the comfort of their existing home and downsize
- Parents of children under 11 years were more likely to move
- Only 25% plan to continue living in the catchment area indefinitely with up to 50% of these expecting to move as soon as their child’s place is secured
Cardiff Catchment Areas
Howells Solicitors recently completed a conveyancing case for a couple with a young child in South Wales. They were very keen for their three year old son to go to a specific Welsh speaking school in Cardiff which is always over-subscribed.
The parents lived in a four bedroom detached property in a suburb of the city that wasn’t in this school's catchment area. Due to a shortage of similar sized properties and the price of these houses, they were forced to downsize to a two bedroom terraced house just to live in the right place for their son to qualify to attend the school.
Commenting on the results of the survey and the reasons some of our own clients have chosen to move, Mark Hobbs, managing partner of Howells Solicitors said:
“Demand for places in schools with good records of achievement or offering specific educational services has always been high. The lengths that some parents are going to might be viewed by some as a bit extreme but ultimately it is their choice and we will do our best to assist with the conveyancing process. Parents paying over market price should consider the possibility of negative equity if the housing market cools, but that should be explained to them by their mortgage adviser.”
Conveyancing with Howells Solicitors
If you’re considering moving home in order for your child to attend a specific school, Howells Solicitors can help. We specialise in property transactions and complete property purchases worth over £50,000,000 each month. Find out how Howells can make your move easier; call us now on 02920 404020 and we will provide you with a competitive quotation of our fees.
