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Guide · 7 min read

How School Distance Is Measured in the UK

When schools are oversubscribed, distance often decides who gets a place. But 'distance' can mean different things depending on the local authority. Here's what you need to understand before you rely on it.

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For many families, school admissions shape where they can live. When a school receives more applications than it has places, it allocates places using published criteria — and distance from home to school is one of the most common deciding factors. Understanding exactly how that distance is measured helps you avoid costly assumptions.

Straight-line distance

The most common method is straight-line distance, often described as "as the crow flies". The authority measures a direct line between a point at your home and a point at the school, ignoring roads and paths. Our School Distance Calculator uses this method, applying the Haversine formula to account for the curvature of the Earth.

Straight-line distance is popular because it is simple, consistent and hard to dispute. The downside is that it can feel unfair: two homes the same straight-line distance from a school might have very different real journeys if a river, railway or main road sits between one of them and the school.

Walking-route distance

Some authorities instead measure the shortest available safe walking route along roads and footpaths. This better reflects the journey a child would actually make, but it is more complex to calculate and can change if paths open or close. A walking route is almost always longer than the straight-line distance between the same two points.

Reference points matter

Beyond the method, the exact points being measured make a difference. Authorities may measure from a defined point at your address to a defined point at the school, such as the main entrance. A few metres can matter in a heavily oversubscribed school, so the precise reference points are always set out in the admissions policy.

Distance is only one criterion

Even where distance is used, it usually sits below other criteria in priority order. Common factors that come first include children in care, those with an education, health and care plan, siblings already at the school, and faith requirements for faith schools. Distance often acts as the tie-breaker once those are applied.

What to check before you rely on distance

  • The measuring method the authority uses (straight-line or route).
  • The exact reference points at home and school.
  • The full order of admissions criteria.
  • Recent cut-off distances, as a rough guide only.
  • Application deadlines and how to apply.

Always confirm with the local authority

Admissions policies are set locally and change year to year. Use the calculator to understand distances, but never treat the result as a prediction of whether a place will be offered. Confirm the current policy and recent cut-off distances with the school and your local authority.

Frequently asked questions

Do all schools use straight-line distance?

No. Straight-line ('as the crow flies') distance is common, but some authorities measure the shortest available walking route instead, and a few use other methods. You must check the specific policy for the school you are interested in.

What point in my home is the distance measured from?

Policies vary. Some measure from a fixed point such as the centre of the property or the address point in the national address database, to the main school gate or a fixed school point. The exact reference points are set out in the admissions policy.

Does last year's cut-off distance guarantee a place this year?

No. Cut-off distances change every year depending on how many families apply and where they live. A previous figure is only a rough indication, not a promise.

Can the MoveRadius tool tell me if I'll get a place?

No. The School Distance Calculator only measures a straight line between two points. It cannot account for the school's chosen method, its other criteria, or this year's applications. Always confirm with the local authority.

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