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catchment.school

Central Foundation Boys' School Catchment Area

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

Central Foundation Boys' School is a voluntary aided secondary school in London, Islington , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1133 pupils, and a capacity of 1050 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,133

Pupils

1,050

Capacity

108%

Fill rate

Central Foundation Boys' School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Central Foundation Boys' School?

The catchment area for Central Foundation Boys' School is the geographic zone Islington 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. Islington 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 Central Foundation Boys' School are allocated by Islington 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: 1133 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1050 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 Islington publishes the 2027 Central Foundation Boys' School numbers →

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

Find Islington catchment area documents →

Central Foundation Boys' School: at or above its 1050 place limit

Central Foundation Boys' School has a published admission number of 1050 places. 1133 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 108%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1050 places. Islington 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. 41.8% of pupils at Central Foundation Boys' 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 London.

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

Islington 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 Islington school admissions →

Central Foundation Boys' School: School Information

Full address
Cowper Street, City Road, London, EC2A 4SH
Local authority
Islington
School type
Voluntary aided school
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Gender
Boys
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
41.8% of pupils
DfE URN
100458

Other Secondary Schools in London

If Central Foundation Boys' School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in London are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Central Foundation Boys' 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: Central Foundation Boys' School

What is the catchment area for Central Foundation Boys' School?

The catchment area for Central Foundation Boys' School is the geographic zone Islington 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. Islington publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Central Foundation Boys' School oversubscribed?

Yes, Central Foundation Boys' School currently has 1133 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1050 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Central Foundation Boys' School?

Admission to Central Foundation Boys' School is managed by Islington. 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 Central Foundation Boys' School cover?

Central Foundation Boys' School is a secondary school in London, Islington, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

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