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catchment.school

Dame Alice Owen's School Catchment Area

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

Dame Alice Owen's School is an academy converter secondary school in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1468 pupils, and a capacity of 1416 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,468

Pupils

1,416

Capacity

104%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2023

Dame Alice Owen's School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Dame Alice Owen's School?

The catchment area for Dame Alice Owen's School is the geographic zone Hertfordshire 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. Hertfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Dame Alice Owen's School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Hertfordshire. 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: 1468 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1416 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 Hertfordshire publishes the 2027 Dame Alice Owen's School numbers →

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

Find Hertfordshire catchment area documents →

Dame Alice Owen's School: at or above its 1416 place limit

Dame Alice Owen's School has a published admission number of 1416 places. 1468 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 104%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1416 places. Hertfordshire 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. 3.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Potters Bar.

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

Hertfordshire 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. Hertfordshire Council school admissions (official) →

Dame Alice Owen's School: School Information

Full address
Dugdale Hill Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2DU
Local authority
Hertfordshire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
3.7% of pupils
DfE URN
136554

Other Secondary Schools in Potters Bar

If Dame Alice Owen's School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Potters Bar are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Dame Alice Owen's 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: Dame Alice Owen's School

What is the catchment area for Dame Alice Owen's School?

The catchment area for Dame Alice Owen's School is the geographic zone Hertfordshire 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. Hertfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Dame Alice Owen's School oversubscribed?

Yes, Dame Alice Owen's School currently has 1468 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1416 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Dame Alice Owen's School?

Admission to Dame Alice Owen's School is managed by Hertfordshire. 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 Dame Alice Owen's School cover?

Dame Alice Owen's School is a secondary school in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Dame Alice Owen's School?

Dame Alice Owen's School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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