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catchment.school

Alec Hunter Academy Catchment Area

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

Alec Hunter Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Braintree, Essex , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1067 pupils, and a capacity of 1142 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-16

Age range

1,067

Pupils

1,142

Capacity

93%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2017

Alec Hunter Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Alec Hunter Academy?

The catchment area for Alec Hunter Academy is the geographic zone Essex uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Essex publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Alec Hunter Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Essex. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 93% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Alec Hunter Academy goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Essex before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Essex catchment area documents →

Alec Hunter Academy: 1142 places, 93% filled: nearing capacity

Alec Hunter Academy has a published admission number of 1142 places. 1067 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 93%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1142, Essex's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 13.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Braintree.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Essex publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Essex Council school admissions (official) →

Alec Hunter Academy: School Information

Full address
Stubbs Lane, Braintree, CM7 3NR
Local authority
Essex
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
13.9% of pupils
DfE URN
139402

Other Secondary Schools in Braintree

If Alec Hunter Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Braintree are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Alec Hunter Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Alec Hunter Academy

What is the catchment area for Alec Hunter Academy?

The catchment area for Alec Hunter Academy is the geographic zone Essex uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Essex publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Alec Hunter Academy oversubscribed?

Alec Hunter Academy is operating close to its capacity of 1142 places (93% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Alec Hunter Academy?

Admission to Alec Hunter Academy is managed by Essex. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Alec Hunter Academy cover?

Alec Hunter Academy is a secondary school in Braintree, Essex, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Alec Hunter Academy?

Alec Hunter Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2017. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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