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catchment.school

Columbia Primary School Catchment Area

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

Columbia Primary School is an academy converter primary school in London, Tower Hamlets , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 427 pupils, and a capacity of 450 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

3-11

Age range

427

Pupils

450

Capacity

95%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2023

Columbia Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Columbia Primary School?

The catchment area for Columbia Primary School is the geographic zone Tower Hamlets uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Tower Hamlets publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Columbia Primary School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Tower Hamlets. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 95% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Columbia Primary School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Tower Hamlets catchment area documents →

Columbia Primary School: 450 places, 95% filled: nearing capacity

Columbia Primary School has a published admission number of 450 places. 427 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 95%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 450, Tower Hamlets's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 27.1% of pupils at Columbia Primary School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Tower Hamlets.

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

Tower Hamlets 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 Tower Hamlets school admissions →

Columbia Primary School: School Information

Full address
Columbia Road, Bethnal Green, London, E2 7RG
Local authority
Tower Hamlets
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Free school meals
27.1% of pupils
DfE URN
150662

Other Primary Schools in London

If Columbia Primary School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in London are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Columbia Primary 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: Columbia Primary School

What is the catchment area for Columbia Primary School?

The catchment area for Columbia Primary School is the geographic zone Tower Hamlets uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Tower Hamlets publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Columbia Primary School oversubscribed?

Columbia Primary School is operating close to its capacity of 450 places (95% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Columbia Primary School?

Admission to Columbia Primary School is managed by Tower Hamlets. 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 Columbia Primary School cover?

Columbia Primary School is a primary school in London, Tower Hamlets, serving pupils aged 3-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Columbia Primary School?

Columbia Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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