Postcode Catchment

This process creates preferences based on student postcode. It can only be run for sub groups where Use Flag Catchments has been ticked in Sub Group Details. Postcode Catchment is not normally used for transfer groups where Use GIS has been ticked but can be if required. If the Automatically Generate System Preferences check box is not selected, then the process can be used to validate that the student's address lies within the catchment area of their preferences.

Postcode Catchment uses the postcode of either the admission or current correspondence address, depending on the settings for the transfer group and whether or not applications have been added.

The following conditions must be met in order to use the Postcode Catchment process:

Postcode Catchment is not normally used for transfer groups where Use GIS is selected (these groups generally use the GIS Catchment process instead), but it can be used for these groups if required.

Click the magnifying glass button to choose sub groups for processing. Although you can filter the list of sub groups to include those where the Use Flag Catchment check box has not been ticked, you are not able to run the process for these.

If the transfer group is set to Use GIS and you then choose to process postcode catchments, you are asked to confirm before proceeding.

You are given the option to Pre-Process or Process.

Pre-Process Postcode Catchment

The Pre-Process option enables you to validate the data and correct any errors before changes are made to the database. The function checks that the students' address lies within the preference catchment area and updates the catchment flag. A window is displayed informing you how many applications and preferences will be processed. You can choose to update all preferences for the applications or only unprocessed preferences.

  • Update all Preferences for the Application:
    This carries out a check on all students to determine whether each student's Address falls within the catchment area of their preferences.
  • Update Unprocessed Preferences only for the Application:
    This carries out the same check as Update all Preferences for the Application, but only for students who have the status of Not Processed.

When you click Pre-Process, the Error / Status log is updated with the outcome and the next preference is checked.

Process Postcode Catchment

The students are checked to see if their address is in any base catchments. If so, a preference is generated for each base that is not already on the application. Preferences are only generated if Automatically Generate System Preferences is selected. The next preference is then checked.

The newly generated preferences start at the next system allocated number

If the student's correspondence or admissions address (as appropriate – see note below) postcode cannot be found in any base postcode list (where GIS is not used) then an entry is made in the error log.

The Use Admission Address check box in Transfer Group Details determines whether the correspondence or admissions address is to be used in Postcode Catchment calculations.