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catchment.school

Dovery Academy Catchment Area

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

Dovery Academy is an academy sponsor led primary school in Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire , serving pupils aged 3-9, with 167 pupils, and a capacity of 150 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

3-9

Age range

167

Pupils

150

Capacity

111%

Fill rate

Inadequate

Ofsted 2021

Dovery Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Dovery Academy?

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

As an academy, Dovery Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Central Bedfordshire. 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: 167 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 150 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 Central Bedfordshire publishes the 2027 Dovery Academy numbers →

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

Find Central Bedfordshire catchment area documents →

Dovery Academy: heavily oversubscribed at 111% capacity

Dovery Academy has a published admission number of 150 places. 167 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 111%. At 111% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Central Bedfordshire 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. 4.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Leighton Buzzard.

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

Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire school admissions →

Dovery Academy: School Information

Full address
Heath Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3AG
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-9 years
Free school meals
4.8% of pupils
DfE URN
149324

Other Primary Schools in Leighton Buzzard

If Dovery Academy is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Leighton Buzzard are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Dovery Academy 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: Dovery Academy

What is the catchment area for Dovery Academy?

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

Is Dovery Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Dovery Academy currently has 167 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 150 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Dovery Academy?

Admission to Dovery Academy is managed by Central Bedfordshire. 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 Dovery Academy cover?

Dovery Academy is a primary school in Leighton Buzzard, Central Bedfordshire, serving pupils aged 3-9. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Dovery Academy?

Dovery Academy was rated Inadequate by Ofsted in 2021. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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