New research from Yopa highlights that homes located near the country’s top state secondary schools are significantly more expensive, costing on average £40,574 more than properties elsewhere in the same local authorities. According to the data, the average price of a home in postcodes encompassing a top 50 state secondary school stands at £415,791, compared with an average of £375,217 in the broader surrounding areas. This equates to a price premium of approximately 9.8 per cent.
Among the most pronounced examples of this trend is Sutton Coldfield, where homes near Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School carry the highest premium. Properties in the B74 postcode district average £509,964, a remarkable £275,814 - or 54.1 per cent - above the Birmingham average of £234,150.
Similarly, in the B73 postcode district near Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, the average home costs £402,432. This reflects a £168,282 premium, or 41.8 per cent more than the wider Birmingham average.
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Verona Frankish, chief executive of Yopa, commented on the findings: “For many homebuyers with children, the quality of local schools is one of the most important factors when choosing where to live. With the new school year approaching, education is top of mind for many families planning their next move.”
She added, “This consistent demand naturally supports higher house prices in areas close to the best schools, with buyers typically paying around £40,000 more to live within a postcode district hosting a top-performing state secondary school.”
Frankish also cautioned prospective buyers, stating, “In some locations, this premium is much greater, so it is important for parents to factor in these additional costs when deciding where to buy - especially in the current market where higher mortgage rates are stretching affordability.”
Concluding, she noted, “Families willing to consider a wider area may find a balance that offers quality schooling and more affordable housing options.”