Can parents select which schools their children attend?

A catchment area system applies and pupils are usually expected to attend school accordingly. Catchment areas are set out in the School Catchment Areas Order 2010. Parents can apply for permission to send pupils to schools outside catchment areas. However, other than in exceptional circumstances, applications will usually be refused if the relevant class is already full or nearly full and pupils and further children living in the catchment area are expected to be enrolled during the course of the academic year.