Brian
Distances are measured as the crow flies even if that route is not available to walk (apparently). Admissions policies at: http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/EducationAndL...nCriteria/

As an example I live about 250m from Elliott Bank School, as the crow flies, but its about an 800m walk (because of having to go down a hill and then up another hill with no cut through). But are further away from but a closer walk to Horniman School (about 500m as the crow flies and about a 600m walk).

Luckily competition was not so fierce that we are forced to walk further than we have to!

I think one of Southwark's problems has been the big change in demographic in the south of the Borough in the past few years. There are a lot more families than there used to be and 'traditionally' more people move out of London when their children reach school age than has been happening recently. However, they should have been able to predict the rise in demand to some extent.