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catchment.school

Cranbourne Catchment Area

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

Cranbourne is a community secondary school in Basingstoke, Hampshire , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 987 pupils, and a capacity of 900 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

987

Pupils

900

Capacity

110%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2021

Cranbourne Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Cranbourne?

The catchment area for Cranbourne is the geographic zone Hampshire 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. Hampshire 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 Cranbourne are allocated by Hampshire 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: 987 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 900 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 Hampshire publishes the 2027 Cranbourne numbers →

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

Find Hampshire catchment area documents →

Cranbourne: heavily oversubscribed at 110% capacity

Cranbourne has a published admission number of 900 places. 987 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 110%. At 110% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Hampshire allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

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

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

Hampshire 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 Hampshire school admissions →

Cranbourne: School Information

Full address
Wessex Close, Basingstoke, RG21 3NP
Local authority
Hampshire
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
27.1% of pupils
DfE URN
116432

Other Secondary Schools in Basingstoke

If Cranbourne is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Basingstoke are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Cranbourne 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: Cranbourne

What is the catchment area for Cranbourne?

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

Is Cranbourne oversubscribed?

Yes, Cranbourne currently has 987 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 900 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Cranbourne?

Admission to Cranbourne is managed by Hampshire. 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 Cranbourne cover?

Cranbourne is a secondary school in Basingstoke, Hampshire, 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 Cranbourne?

Cranbourne was rated Good by Ofsted in 2021. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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