Moving house for a grammar school: should you, and by when?

Some families think about moving to be nearer a grammar school. It is a big decision. First check whether your target school even uses your address.

Schools where your address does not decide the place

• No catchment: St Olave's, Wilson's and QE Boys give places by score. Moving closer does not help.
• Bexley top 180: the 180 children with the highest scores in the Bexley test are guaranteed a place at their preferred Bexley grammar school, wherever they live.

Schools where your address matters

• Radius: for example, Newstead Wood gives priority to girls within 9 miles.
• Postcodes: Sutton Grammar gives 75 places to boys in priority postcodes (SM1 to SM7, KT4, KT17, CR0 4 and CR4), plus up to 10 Pupil Premium places.
• Local area plus open places: Dartford Grammar keeps most places for a local area.

Read more: Catchment areas explained, or try our catchment checker.

The address deadlines for September 2027

• Kent: the parent and child must live at the address on Monday 2 November 2026. Proof (such as a council tax bill, utility bill or bank statement) must be dated between 1 September and 7 December 2026. Moves after the closing date must be emailed to Kent by 7 December 2026.
• Bromley: your permanent home address at the time you apply (closing date 31 October 2026). If you have just moved, you may need a signed tenancy agreement or exchange or completion papers.
• Sutton Grammar: your child must live at the address on 31 October 2026.
• Bexley grammar schools: use your permanent home address at the time of allocation (National Offer Day).

Moving into Kent after the test

If you move into Kent after the registration closing date, your child may still be tested by 31 December 2026, as long as you give proof of your new address and apply for a school by Monday 7 December 2026.

Temporary addresses are a real risk

Councils use the address where your child normally lives, not a temporary one. Kent may investigate moves made between the closing date and the end of the first school term, and can withdraw an offer. Sutton Grammar says an offer can be withdrawn for a false address or "an address of convenience". Renting near a school for a few months is not safe.

So, should you move?

• Check each school's own admission policy for 2027 entry. Rules change every year.
• If your first-choice school does not use address, focus on preparation instead.
• If it does, only move if you plan to live there for good, and move before the deadline.

Sources: Kent County Council coordinated scheme and guide for 2027 entry; Bromley coordinated scheme for secondary admissions 2027-28; Sutton Grammar School admissions policy 2027; Bexley Grammar School admission policy 2027-28.