Sadly, I am EXTREMELY cynical about any admissions policy of any school. As far as I can see, any policy can be skewered. As many people have pointed out, it is extremely common in the past for parents who can afford to, to buy houses near a good secondary school. Many of us know parents who have done this and have successfully secured their child a place at Charter. The more people who do this, the more house prices in the immediate area rise and the more the catchment shrinks even further (as more people with secondary school age children move closer and closer to secure a place). Kingsdale admissions are very difficult to understand yes but make no mistake, should the school move to distance only, the catchment would shrink and shrink and shrink. Practically, ED residents would be unlikely to benefit - although I can imagine that residents in Gypsy Hill would benefit greatly. The residents immediately near the Kingsdale in leafy Dulwich the are likely to be sending their children to Dulwich Prep or Dulwich College so they are likely not to be bothered!