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The imposition of 20% VAT on private school fees from next January is set to cause a mass exodus of pupils from this sector. As a consequence, demand for places at high-performing state schools is greater than ever, producing the knock-on effect of a surge in demand for nearby housing.
“A large number of our Buckinghamshire buyers are looking in the county to take advantage of the grammar schools system,” explains Daniel Nash, founder of estate agency the Nash Partnership.
“We have seen a marked increase in those looking for grammar school catchment over the past six months, since it became clear that a Labour government would introduce VAT on private school fees.”
Wherever you are in the country, if you’re planning to move into the vicinity of a leading state secondary, check out these houses for sale.
1. D’urton Grange, Preston, Lancashire, from £249,000
Three- and four-bedroom semi-detached houses on a new development just over five minutes’ drive from Ofsted rated outstanding Broughton High School and under 15 minutes from outstanding sixth form college Cardinal Newman College.
All homes have spacious open plan living areas, good-sized eat-in kitchens and off-road parking. By Laurus Homes.
2. Spalding, Lincolnshire, £395,000
Forget the car — snap up this charming redbrick Victorian house and your children will be able to walk to school. That’s because boys’ secondary Spalding Grammar is directly across the road, and girls’ grammar school Spalding High is a short stroll across the River Welland.
The house is deceptively spacious, with a bay-windowed living room, a family room and extended kitchen diner on the ground floor, three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor and a fourth bedroom on the second. Available from Fine & Country.
Read more: 11 properties you can bag with a £500,000 budget
3. Barleywoods, Oakham, Rutland, from £402,950
A scheme of new-build three-, four- and five-bedroom detached houses with large all-in-one kitchens and separate living and utility rooms.
They’re convenient for Rutland Water, Oakham station and a number of schools and colleges, including Catmose College, a co-ed judged as outstanding in every area in its recent Ofsted inspection. Through Bellway.
4. Beaulieu, Chelmsford, Essex, three-bedroom houses from £439,995
Over 4,000 homes are being delivered across several neighbourhoods in this new community north-east of the city centre.
Essex’s first through primary and secondary school, a day nursery and an education centre are already open, a second primary joins them in September and a station opens next year.
King Edward VI Grammar — seventh in the UK for GCSE results — and Chelmsford Country High School for Girls, also selective, are nearby. Via Countryside Homes.
5. Kings Heath, Birmingham, £500,000
Data from property portal OntheMarket shows that in the weeks following the general election, searches for homes within five miles of Birmingham’s two King Edward VI Camp Hill grammar schools increased by 166% compared with July 2023.
This well-presented three-bedroom house is just over a mile away and if you like the look of it, put in an offer fast.
It has two reception rooms, a study, loft room and studio annex/fourth bedroom. Get in touch with Connells.
Read more: 9 renovated homes that are move-in ready
6. Faversham, Kent, £845,000
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar in Faversham is one of 32 grammar schools spread across Kent. This elegant three-storey Grade II* listed Georgian house is in Oare, a nearby village.
It has five bedrooms, three reception rooms and period features such as wooden floors, ornate fireplaces and sash windows.
Scenic French wallpaper adorns the sitting room walls. Originally hung in around 1836, it was restored in 2012 with the aid of a grant from English Heritage. Find out more from Winkworth.
7. Marsworth, Buckinghamshire, £595,000
This mid-century house is surrounded by countryside and is in the catchment area of Aylesbury’s three grammar schools — Aylesbury Grammar, Aylesbury High and Sir John Floyd.
It comprises a kitchen, sitting and dining rooms, three bedrooms and a bathroom, and a well-maintained south-west facing garden, plus there’s scope to extend. On the market through Nash Partnership.
Read more: 8 envy-inducing homes with impressive sports facilities
8. Tranwell Woods, Morpeth, Northumberland, £1.5m
South Fields, a 7,000 square foot modern country house, provides plenty of space for the children to do their homework in peace and and is a short drive from the Ofsted-rated outstanding King Edward VI school.
Accommodation includes four double bedroom suites, a formal lounge, huge kitchen/diner with a U-shaped island, a study, garden room and a top floor games room with a bar. Double doors from the kitchen open into a leisure wing incorporating a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and shower. Via Finest Properties.
9. Barton, Cambridgeshire, £1.6m
Situated opposite the village pond, this Grade II listed thatched barn has been thoughtfully converted into a well-proportioned family home showcasing exposed beams and soaring ceilings.
The ground floor consists of a double-height hall, a kitchen/breakfast room, three reception rooms, a study, utility and cloakroom, and five bedrooms and three bathrooms occupy the first floor.
Handily, it’s in the catchment area of Ofsted-outstanding Comberton Village College. For sale via Cheffins.
10. Naunton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, £1.895m
Close Hill, a contemporary five/six-bedroom house is in easy reach of the Cotswold School, named the south-west’s comprehensive of the year in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023.
Located in the heart of the village, it’s been extended and renovated by the current owners and features huge, light-filled entertaining spaces, a mature garden and countryside views. Through Knight Frank.
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