Finding schools near a UK postcode (and Ofsted reports)

School catchments drive a lot of UK house moves. Distance alone is not admissions policy — local authorities and academies set their own rules — but a map of schools within a couple of kilometres is a useful first pass.

Local Area Check lists nearby schools from OpenStreetMap (primary, secondary and other) with approximate distance. That list is not exhaustive and does not include Ofsted grades in the feed itself.

For each school you care about, open the Ofsted report: overall effectiveness, behaviour, quality of education, and the date of the last inspection. Older “Outstanding” grades can sit next to newer “Requires improvement” reports — always check the date.

Visit at drop-off and pick-up if you can. Speak to parents. Confirm catchment and oversubscription criteria with the school or council, not with a property listing.

Search a postcode on Local Area Check, scan the schools block, then jump to Ofsted for the shortlist.