New tools for dates, routes, and local context

Grammar school research often starts with a school name, but the practical questions usually arrive quickly: which dates matter, what route applies, how realistic is the journey, and what does the local area look like?

We have added these tools to help with that work:

1. a deadline tracker inside the parent dashboard
2. a crime layer on the school map
3. a Census ethnicity layer on the school map
4. a Census religion layer on the school map

Deadline tracking now sits beside your school research

The deadline tracker is designed for the dates parents actually have to act on: registration windows, entrance tests, CAF submission, results, offer day and related route steps.

Use it with your saved schools so the planning work stays tied to the schools and exam routes you are already checking. Dates should still be verified against the school, local authority or consortium source before you act, especially when a school updates its admissions page during the cycle.

The map now includes local crime context

The crime layer adds local background around grammar school areas using official Police.uk data. It is there to support area research, not to label a school as better or worse.

The useful check is simple: if a school looks promising academically and the journey looks realistic, use the layer to understand the surrounding area before reading local authority, school and travel information in more detail.

Source: Police.uk data API documentation.

The map now includes Census ethnicity context

The ethnicity layer adds Census 2021 local area context from the Office for National Statistics. It helps families understand the demographic shape of an area around a school or route.

Use it carefully. Ethnicity data describes local populations; it does not explain school culture, admissions fairness, pupil experience or school quality. For those questions, read the school profile, admissions policy, Ofsted material and school-published information.

Source: ONS Census 2021 ethnic group dataset TS021.

The map now includes Census religion context

The religion layer adds Census 2021 local area context from the Office for National Statistics. It uses the Census religion response categories, including Christian, no religion, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Buddhist, other religion and not answered.

Use it as local population context only. Religion data does not explain school ethos, admissions priority, pupil experience or whether a school will suit a child. For faith designation or admissions rules, read the school profile and the school-published admissions policy.

Source: ONS Census 2021 religion dataset TS030.

A better order for parent research

The strongest pattern is now:

1. search by postcode, town or area
2. open the map and check journey shape
3. save the schools worth following
4. track deadlines for those schools and routes
5. verify admissions dates and rules against official sources before acting

That keeps the research practical. Rankings and results can help you discover schools, but dates, eligibility, travel and route rules decide whether a school belongs in your plan.