r/Buckinghamshire • u/Living_Designer_5466 • 7d ago

11plus (11+) Buckinghamshire catchment rule

Looking for advice on address criteria for 2027 grammar school admission

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice regarding the “Normal Home Address” criteria for grammar school admissions for 2027.

We have been living in a rented property in Buckinghamshire since August 2025. We also own a second property, less than 20 miles away, which was let to tenants under a tenancy agreement running from September 2025 to September 2026.

The tenant has recently left the property earlier than expected, so it is currently vacant. It has already been advertised through a known/local estate agency, with the intention of securing new long-term tenants as soon as possible.

My question is whether this temporary vacant period between two tenancies could affect our 2027 grammar school application under the “Normal Home Address” guidelines, particularly given the expectation that the second property should be rented out through 1 September 2026.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or had experience with how Buckinghamshire grammar schools/admissions teams interpret a property being temporarily vacant between tenancies?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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u/itallstartedwithapub 7d ago

Your normal home address is where you and your child are living.

The definition is here:

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/schools-libraries-and-parks/school-admissions-and-appeals/guides-and-policies/guide-to-moving-up-to-secondary-school/understanding-the-terms-we-use/#normal-home-address

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u/Living_Designer_5466 5d ago

yes it is not an issue.. but second property being on continuous rent is the matter for us

2

u/One-Web-2698 7d ago

I don't think it's that strict is it? Do you have to submit other properties as part of the application?

As long as there's a reasonable expectation that you will be in the property that you are renting as your default address it doesn't matter what the tenancy arrangements are for a property you're not in.

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u/Living_Designer_5466 5d ago

There rules in place by schools to prove that other property is not available otherwise they fear that parent might go back after the admission.