Jackson-Stops’ New Family Hotspots Index is placing it at the heart of growing demand for houses in the catchment areas of the best schools.

Nick Leeming, Chairman at Jackson-Stops, commented: “Access to high-performing schools is a major factor driving demand in the family homes market.

“With Ofsted preparing to revamp its evaluation system and VAT now being added to private school fees, parents planning to move in the coming years will be reassessing which areas to target—or avoid.

Competition for homes within the catchment areas of top schools has always been fierce.”

“Competition for homes within the catchment areas of top schools has always been fierce, but it’s poised to become even more intense in the years ahead.”

The index combines ONS and Department for Education data and compares issues such as house prices, wellbeing, which incorporates life satisfaction, happiness and anxiety, and the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard at Key Stage 2 across the different local authorities.

Surrey is top of the class

Surrey is currently top of the class, dominating the top four locations.

• In first place is Surrey Heath, with a Wellbeing score of 7.9 (average is 7.4) and a Primary School score of 65% compared to the average of 61%.
• Second place is Woking with a score of 7.8 and a Primary School score of 65%.
• Third place is Rutland with a score of 7.7 and a Primary School score of 69%.
• Fourth place is Mole Valley (Surrey) with a score of 7.7 and a Primary School score of 65%.
• Fifth is North East Lincolnshire, followed by Brentwood, Chelmsford, Waverley, Dacorum and Hartlepool.