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catchment.school

Bowland High Catchment Area

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

Bowland High is an academy converter secondary school in Clitheroe, Lancashire , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 615 pupils, and a capacity of 575 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

615

Pupils

575

Capacity

107%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Bowland High Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Bowland High?

The catchment area for Bowland High is the geographic zone Lancashire 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. Lancashire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Bowland High sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Lancashire. 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: 615 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 575 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 Lancashire publishes the 2027 Bowland High numbers →

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 →

Bowland High: at or above its 575 place limit

Bowland High has a published admission number of 575 places. 615 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 107%. The school is at or above its published limit of 575 places. Lancashire allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 8.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Clitheroe.

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) →

Bowland High: School Information

Full address
Riversmead, Sawley Road, Clitheroe, BB7 4QS
Local authority
Lancashire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
8.5% of pupils
DfE URN
136997

Other Secondary Schools in Clitheroe

If Bowland High is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Clitheroe are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Bowland High 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: Bowland High

What is the catchment area for Bowland High?

The catchment area for Bowland High is the geographic zone Lancashire 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. Lancashire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Bowland High oversubscribed?

Yes, Bowland High currently has 615 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 575 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Bowland High?

Admission to Bowland High 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 Bowland High cover?

Bowland High is a secondary school in Clitheroe, Lancashire, 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 Bowland High?

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

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