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Barrowford School Catchment Area

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

Barrowford School is a community primary school in Nelson, Lancashire , serving pupils aged 4-11, with 327 pupils, and a capacity of 420 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

4-11

Age range

327

Pupils

420

Capacity

78%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Barrowford School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Barrowford School?

The catchment area for Barrowford School is the geographic zone Lancashire uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Lancashire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

The catchment area for Barrowford School is set by Lancashire and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

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

Find Lancashire catchment area documents →

Barrowford School: 420 places, 78% filled: places available

Barrowford School has a published admission number of 420 places. 327 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 78%. At 78% full, the school currently has headroom below its 420 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 41.3% of pupils at Barrowford School are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Nelson.

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

Lancashire 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. Lancashire Council school admissions (official) →

Barrowford School: School Information

Full address
Rushton Street, Barrowford, Nelson, BB9 6EA
Local authority
Lancashire
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
4-11 years
Free school meals
41.3% of pupils
DfE URN
119166

Other Primary Schools in Nelson

If Barrowford School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Nelson are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Barrowford School 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: Barrowford School

What is the catchment area for Barrowford School?

The catchment area for Barrowford School is the geographic zone Lancashire uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Lancashire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Barrowford School oversubscribed?

Barrowford School has a capacity of 420 places and currently has 327 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Lancashire.

What is the admissions policy for Barrowford School?

Admission to Barrowford School is managed by Lancashire. 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 Barrowford School cover?

Barrowford School is a primary school in Nelson, Lancashire, serving pupils aged 4-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Barrowford School?

Barrowford School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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