Parental home buyers paying 102% more in property prices to live by the best schools

How to add value to your home

The latest A-Level results show that the percentage of pupils achieving top grades has fallen to its lowest level in a decade and with preparation for these grades starting from the very first day of school, estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, has looked at the property price cost of buying within close proximity to a school with the best test scores.

Using data on house price values surrounding every primary and secondary school in England, GetAgent looked at the cost of buying close to a school, how this differs between primary and secondary schools and the premium of buying close to a top-performing school at both levels of education.

The data shows that the average property price in outcodes for every secondary school in England is currently £317,519, 7.4% higher than the average price of £295,367 for outcodes of all primary level schools. This means home buyers are paying 28.6% more than the average house price in England to live near a secondary school and 19.7% more to live near a primary school.

However, when it comes to the best performing, the property price roles are reversed.

When looking at top tier primary schools where 40% or more of pupils are achieving high scores in reading and maths, while working at greater depth in writing, the average house price climbs to £499,249 – that’s a 69.6% house price premium compared to schools with a score below 40% and 102.3% more expensive than the national average.

It would seem that school performance has a direct impact on property prices at all levels, with primary schools scoring 0-19% home to a property value of £285,127, climbing 29.8% for schools scoring 20-39% (£370,155) and a further 34.9% to the top tier of 40%+ (£499,249).

When looking at secondary schools where 80% or more of pupils are achieving strong 9-5 passes in both English and mathematics GCSEs, the average house price again increases to £356,274, a 13.1% property price premium when compared to schools with a score below 80% and 44.4% higher than the national average.

Again this performance link is consistent across all levels with the lowest-performing (0-39%) home to an average house price of just £291,332, jumping 20.6% for schools scoring 40-79% (£351,326). However, the difference between this band and the top-performing is much smaller than with primary schools, increasing just 1.4% for schools scoring over 80%.

When comparing the best primary and secondary schools, the difference in price is a notable 40.1%, with property surrounding top primary schools going for much more than those surrounding top secondary schools.

However, when looking at schools in the lower performance tiers, the cost of living by a secondary school is marginally higher than a primary school – 7.1% higher.

Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: 

“We know that the close proximity of any sought after amenity can lift a property’s value, but living close by to a school is up there with the most important for parents and whether it’s that all-important catchment area or the ease of carting the kids back and forth every day, parents will always pay when house hunting.

While secondary schools command a higher price on the whole, it’s clear that when it comes to the best schools, it’s primary level education that sees home buyers pay the most.

This is not only to ensure they get the best start during their school life, but due to the younger age, kids aren’t yet able to cycle, walk or get public transport to school alone, and so this additional peace of mind and convenience is preferable for parental home buyers.

This demand coupled with the long-term investment in a property and the potential of better exam results at the end of it is what causes these much larger property price premiums around the best schools in particular.”

Primary KS2
Exam Performance
Average House Price
Difference (%)
40%+ (Top Tier)
£499,249
69.6%
Below 40%
£294,306
40%+
£499,249
34.9%
20-39%
£370,155
29.8%
0-19%
£285,127
N/A
All schools
£295,367
19.7%
Average H.P in England
£246,728
40%+ (Top Tier)
£499,249
102.3%
Average H.P in England
£246,728
Secondary KS4
Exam Performance
Average House Price
Difference (%)
80-100% (Top Tier)
£356,274
13.1%
Below 80%
£315,107
80-100%
£356,274
1.4%
40-79%
£351,326
20.6%
0-39%
£291,332
N/A
All schools
£317,223
28.6%
Average H.P in England
£246,728
80-100% (Top Tier)
£356,274
44.4%
Average H.P in England
£246,728
Tier
Primary KS2
Secondary KS4
Difference (%)
Top Tier
£499,249
£356,274
40.1%
Below
£294,306
£315,107
7.1%
  • Average house price based on the outcode (first half of postcode) for each school.
  • School sample is all schools in England although some were excluded due to a lack of data for either exam results or house prices.
Sources
School performance data
Av House Price by Outcode
GetAgent Database

 

Properganda PR

National and local media coverage for property businesses. Journo quotes delivered in minutes.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Boost Spring Valuations: Is Upgrading to Double Glazing Still a Top ROI?

Come spring, the property market always picks up pace. As an estate agent, you know the questions start flooding in from homeowners wanting to maximise their sale price. Top of the list for many? Windows. Specifically, is splashing out on new double glazing actually going to deliver a worthwhile return when they sell? It’s a…
Read More
LIVING BY THE SEASIDE 2022
Breaking News

COVID five years on: City and coastal trends reverse as homes by the sea take longer to sell

Rightmove’s new report looks at how the market has changed five years on from the pandemic starting Many city and coastal trends have now reversed, with homes near the sea taking three weeks longer to sell compared to 2020, and the majority of buyers in the capital looking to stay rather than leave London A…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

What it takes to make real estate development financing work

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners Securing financing for real estate development has become an uphill battle. With interest rates still elevated, inflation pushing construction costs higher, and planning delays introducing further uncertainty, developers face a challenging environment. Traditional lenders, constrained by regulatory pressures and rising risk aversion, have scaled back, creating…
Read More
Home and Living

Signs Your Roof Needs Professional Repair: Don’t Ignore These Red Flags!

The roof of your home is one of its most vital components. It serves as the first line of defense against the elements, shielding you and your family from rain, snow, wind, and UV rays. A sturdy roof also enhances the energy efficiency of your house, helping to regulate temperature and reduce heating and cooling…
Read More
for sale sign london
Estate Agent Talk

Cheap Local Estate Agent

How much is the average estate agency fees in England for 2025? The figure of 1.42% (including VAT) is the average estate agency fee in 2025. This average fee for selling your home can vary with figures between 1% and up to 3.5%, there may be some lower and higher too. How you are looking…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Future of Real Estate: How Technology is Revolutionizing the Industry

It is also evident that the real estate industry is going through a lot of changes mainly due to changes in technology. Technology is changing almost every aspect of the industry and this includes the purchasing, selling, and advertising of properties. Consumers need a more efficient and enhanced form of transactions, real estate professionals must…
Read More