Skip to content
A free, independent guide for parents - updated each admissions cycle. 26,506 schools · England & Wales
catchment.school

Belfairs Academy Catchment Area

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

Belfairs Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1606 pupils, and a capacity of 1440 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,606

Pupils

1,440

Capacity

112%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2024

Belfairs Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Belfairs Academy?

The catchment area for Belfairs Academy is the geographic zone Southend-on-Sea 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. Southend-on-Sea publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

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

Currently oversubscribed: 1606 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1440 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Southend-on-Sea publishes the 2027 Belfairs Academy numbers →

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

Find Southend-on-Sea catchment area documents →

Belfairs Academy: heavily oversubscribed at 112% capacity

Belfairs Academy has a published admission number of 1440 places. 1606 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 112%. At 112% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Southend-on-Sea allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 20.3% of pupils at Belfairs Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Southend-on-Sea.

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

Southend-on-Sea 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. Find Southend-on-Sea school admissions →

Belfairs Academy: School Information

Full address
Highlands Boulevard, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 3TG
Local authority
Southend-on-Sea
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
20.3% of pupils
DfE URN
138174

Other Secondary Schools in Leigh-on-Sea

If Belfairs Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Leigh-on-Sea are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Belfairs 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: Belfairs Academy

What is the catchment area for Belfairs Academy?

The catchment area for Belfairs Academy is the geographic zone Southend-on-Sea 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. Southend-on-Sea publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Belfairs Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Belfairs Academy currently has 1606 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1440 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Belfairs Academy?

Admission to Belfairs Academy is managed by Southend-on-Sea. 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 Belfairs Academy cover?

Belfairs Academy is a secondary school in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Belfairs Academy?

Belfairs Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Get admissions updates by email

Join parents who get catchment boundary changes and key admissions dates - free, once per term.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.