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catchment.school

Burnley High School Catchment Area

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

Burnley High School is a free s secondary school in Burnley, Lancashire , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 607 pupils, and a capacity of 600 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

607

Pupils

600

Capacity

101%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2017

Burnley High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Burnley High School?

The catchment area for Burnley High School 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.

Secondary school places at Burnley High School are allocated by Lancashire using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.

Currently oversubscribed: 607 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 600 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 Burnley High School 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 →

Burnley High School: at or above its 600 place limit

Burnley High School has a published admission number of 600 places. 607 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 101%. The school is at or above its published limit of 600 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. 39% of pupils at Burnley High School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Lancashire.

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) →

Burnley High School: School Information

Full address
Byron Street, Burnley, BB12 6NX
Local authority
Lancashire
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Free school meals
39% of pupils
DfE URN
141028

Other Secondary Schools in Burnley

If Burnley High School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Burnley are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Burnley High 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: Burnley High School

What is the catchment area for Burnley High School?

The catchment area for Burnley High School 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 Burnley High School oversubscribed?

Yes, Burnley High School currently has 607 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 600 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Burnley High School?

Admission to Burnley High 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 Burnley High School cover?

Burnley High School is a secondary school in Burnley, 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 Burnley High School?

Burnley High School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2017. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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