How many schools are in Barking and Dagenham?

Barking and Dagenham has 67 open schools: 44 primary schools and 8 secondary schools across 5 areas. Data sourced from the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register.

What areas are covered by Barking and Dagenham school catchment zones?

Barking and Dagenham administers catchment areas across 5 areas, including Dagenham, Barking, Romford, Essex, Other. Each school's catchment boundary is set by the local authority and reviewed annually as part of the admissions process.

How do school catchment areas work in Barking and Dagenham?

In Barking and Dagenham, catchment areas define a geographical zone around each school. Children living within the catchment boundary are given priority in oversubscription criteria. The exact boundary, and the "last distance offered", changes each year based on application volumes. Official catchment maps and admissions policies are published by Barking and Dagenham council each autumn.

Which schools in Barking and Dagenham are oversubscribed?

Oversubscription varies by school and year in Barking and Dagenham. Popular schools typically receive more applications than available places, meaning the "last distance offered" shrinks annually. To check demand for a specific school, consult the Barking and Dagenham admissions authority's published offer data or the school's own admissions policy.

Barking and Dagenham School Catchment Areas

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Barking and Dagenham is a compact east London borough with 67 state schools – 44 primary and 8 secondary – coordinated by the council alongside a number of academy trusts. Twelve of its schools hold academy status, and the borough includes one selective school serving academically qualified applicants from across the area.

Demand for places is moderate: 4 of the 62 schools with published capacity data are currently at or above their admission number. Faith schools play a notable role, with 11 schools applying religious criteria alongside catchment distance in their oversubscription policies. Of the schools with a current Ofsted inspection, 20 are rated Good or Outstanding.

Catchment boundaries are coordinated by Barking and Dagenham Council and reviewed annually as part of the local admissions round. Because the borough sits near the boundaries of Havering and Newham, families close to the council border may be eligible for schools in neighbouring authorities. Always confirm your home address falls within the intended catchment before submitting an application, as the last-distance offered can shift year on year.

67 total 44 primary 8 secondary 5 areas

Based on the latest published capacity data, 4 of the 67 schools in Barking and Dagenham are at or above their admission number, so catchment distance is decisive at those schools. Barking and Dagenham has 1 selective school that admit by entrance test rather than distance. 11 schools apply faith-based criteria alongside catchment distance. Of the 21 Barking and Dagenham schools with a current Ofsted rating, 20 are rated Good or Outstanding.