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catchment.school

Castle Newnham School Catchment Area

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

Castle Newnham School is an academy converter secondary school in Bedford , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 750 pupils, and a capacity of 750 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

750

Pupils

750

Capacity

100%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2018

Castle Newnham School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Castle Newnham School?

The catchment area for Castle Newnham School is the geographic zone Bedford 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. Bedford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Castle Newnham School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Bedford. 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: 750 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 750 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 Bedford publishes the 2027 Castle Newnham School numbers →

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

Find Bedford catchment area documents →

Castle Newnham School: at or above its 750 place limit

Castle Newnham School has a published admission number of 750 places. 750 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 100%. The school is at or above its published limit of 750 places. Bedford 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. 19.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Bedford.

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

Bedford 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 Bedford school admissions →

Castle Newnham School: School Information

Full address
Polhill Avenue, Bedford, MK41 9DT
Local authority
Bedford
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Free school meals
19.7% of pupils
DfE URN
151042

Other Secondary Schools in Bedford

If Castle Newnham School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Bedford are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Castle Newnham 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: Castle Newnham School

What is the catchment area for Castle Newnham School?

The catchment area for Castle Newnham School is the geographic zone Bedford 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. Bedford publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Castle Newnham School oversubscribed?

Yes, Castle Newnham School currently has 750 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 750 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Castle Newnham School?

Admission to Castle Newnham School is managed by Bedford. 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 Castle Newnham School cover?

Castle Newnham School is a secondary school in Bedford, 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 Castle Newnham School?

Castle Newnham School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2018. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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