'There are bidding wars': The Leeds areas where families pay premium for top school places
Parents are ratcheting up bidding wars for homes in top school catchments in Leeds as the primary school place deadline looms, a leading property expert has warned.
Mark Manning, managing director of Manning Stainton, has warned he is seeing a number of areas in Leeds where families are now willing to pay a premium to secure coveted school places.
Suburbs such as Roundhay, Horsforth, Morley and Beeston are among the areas where families are tussling for homes.
The deadline to apply for primary school places is at the end of January, and in the months leading up to it, there’s an uptick in activity as people move to ensure they’re in the catchment area of the school they want to get their children into.
Mr Manning, managing director of Manning Stainton, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Homes in areas with well-regarded schools always fetch a premium.
“Over the past few months we’ve noticed activity levels and bidding wars ratchet up in several places as families look to move to homes in areas where they’ll have the best possible chance of getting their children into their school of choice.”
Below, Mr Manning reveals the top areas in Leeds where people are willing to pay a premium to move because of schools:
Roundhay
Family homes that go on the market in Roundhay often attract above asking price and sell quickly, due to Roundhay School, which is Ofsted rated Outstanding. Unless you live close to the school, the chances of getting in slim, so parents will happily pay a premium for a home close to the school to boost their chances of getting a place.
Moortown & Alwoodley
A lot of family demand in these areas is linked to Allerton High School, which is rated Outstanding. These areas also see a big pull because of GSAL, as it’s close by and can be accessed easily from both suburbs.
Horsforth
A very popular ‘family move’ area and a big growth location, where prices are higher than average because of its schools. The area is packed full of great primaries and also has Horsforth High, which is highly rated by parents.
Adel & Weetwood
These areas attract a steady school-led premium, due to Lawnswood High and lots of great primaries like Adel and Weetwood.
Garforth
Garforth Academy achieved an Ofsted Outstanding rating in 2024, which has helped bolster prices in both Garforth and surrounding east Leeds areas, all of which are big growth locations.
Morley & Beeston
Prices and family demand in these areas are growing because of their excellent schools, including Morley Academy, which is Ofsted rated Outstanding, and Cockburn John Charles Academy. The areas also have a lot of fantastic primary schools.