School catchment map.
How far away families got a place at every school in Beckenham, West Wickham, Shortlands, Hayes and the rest of Bromley, over the last three years. Put in your postcode to see where you stand.
Source: Bromley Council, Primary education in Bromley 2027/28 and Secondary education in Bromley 2027/28, distances as at national offer day. Your postcode is looked up with postcodes.io to place it on the map, and isn't stored. Distances from your postcode are measured from its centre, so allow a little either way. A guide only, not a guarantee of a place. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
How school catchments work in Bromley.
There are no fixed catchment areas
Bromley doesn't draw catchment lines. When a school has more applicants than places, places usually go first to children in care, then those with a brother or sister at the school, then by straight-line distance from home. The distance of the last child offered a place becomes that year's "catchment".
It moves every year
The cut-off depends on how many siblings and families apply. Balgowan's went from 0.334 miles in 2024 to 0.690 in 2025 and back to 0.466 in 2026. Look at all three years, not just the latest.
Some schools don't use distance
St Olave's and Newstead Wood offer places by test score. Harris Girls' Academy Bromley and Harris Academy Orpington use ability banding. Some church schools give priority on faith. The map flags these.
Fewer children, more space
In 2026, 26 of the 39 primary, infant and junior schools in Beckenham, West Wickham, Shortlands, Hayes, Bromley and Penge had room for every family who applied, up from 16 in 2025. Some of the most sought-after still filled up close to home.
Does Bromley have school catchment areas?
No. Bromley Council says there are no fixed catchment areas for any Bromley school. When a school has more applicants than places, most places go to children with a sibling at the school and then by straight-line distance from home to school. That distance is what people usually mean by a school's catchment.
What does the furthest distance offered mean?
It's the distance from the school of the furthest-away child who was offered a place on national offer day. It changes every year with the number of siblings and applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a promise.
How is distance measured?
As the crow flies, in a straight line from your home address to the school, using the council's mapping system. It is not the walking route.
What does "room for everyone" mean?
The school was undersubscribed that year: every family who applied was offered a place, and the council also allocated children there. There was no distance cut-off.
Can I rent near a school to get in?
Councils check addresses and can withdraw a place if an address was used only to apply. Your child's address on the closing date is what counts. Speak to the council before relying on a temporary address.
When are the deadlines for September 2027?
Secondary applications close on 31 October 2026, with offers on 1 March 2027. Primary and Reception applications close on 15 January 2027, with offers on 16 April 2027.
Read more in Notebook 004: schools and moving house, or see the area guides for Beckenham, West Wickham, Shortlands and Hayes.
Find the right street.
I can't promise a school place, and nobody honest can. But I can tell you which roads families have been buying on, what they cost, and find you a home before it reaches the portals.