Downlands Community School Catchment Area
Downlands Community School is a community primary school in Blandford Forum, Dorset , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 215 pupils, and a capacity of 420 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.
3-11
Age range
215
Pupils
420
Capacity
51%
Fill rate
Requires improvement
Ofsted 2023
Downlands Community School Catchment Area Information
What is the catchment area for Downlands Community School?
The catchment area for Downlands Community School is the geographic zone Dorset 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. Dorset publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
The catchment area for Downlands Community School is set by Dorset and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.
The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Dorset before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.
Find Dorset catchment area documents →Downlands Community School: 420 places, 51% filled: places available
Downlands Community School has a published admission number of 420 places. 215 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 51%. At 51% full, the school currently has headroom below its 420 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.
The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 4.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Blandford Forum.
To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.
Dorset 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. Dorset Council school admissions (official) →
Downlands Community School: School Information
- Full address
- Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum, DT11 8BG
- Local authority
- Dorset
- School type
- Community school
- Phase of education
- Primary
- Age range
- 3-11 years
- Free school meals
- 4.4% of pupils
- DfE URN
- 113659
Other Primary Schools in Blandford Forum
If Downlands Community School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Blandford Forum are the next closest alternatives.
Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Catchment Area
Academy converter · DT11 8SW
Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School Catchment Area
Academy converter · DT11 9QD
Spetisbury CofE Primary School Catchment Area
Academy converter · DT11 9DF
Milborne St Andrew First School Catchment Area
Academy converter · DT11 0JE
Milldown CofE Academy Catchment Area
Academy converter · DT11 7SN
Shillingstone Church of England Primary School Catchment Area
Academy converter · DT11 0TX
Nearest primary schools by distance
These are the primary schools closest to Downlands Community 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.
Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School Catchment Area
Academy converter · Blandford Forum · 1.4 miles away
Durweston Church of England Primary School Catchment Area
Academy converter · Blandford Forum · 3.8 miles away
Witchampton Church of England First School Catchment Area
Academy converter · Wimborne · 4.4 miles away
Need help understanding catchment areas?
Frequently Asked Questions: Downlands Community School
What is the catchment area for Downlands Community School? ▾
The catchment area for Downlands Community School is the geographic zone Dorset 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. Dorset publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
Is Downlands Community School oversubscribed? ▾
Downlands Community School has a capacity of 420 places and currently has 215 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Dorset.
What is the admissions policy for Downlands Community School? ▾
Admission to Downlands Community School is managed by Dorset. 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 Downlands Community School cover? ▾
Downlands Community School is a primary school in Blandford Forum, Dorset, 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 Downlands Community School? ▾
Downlands Community School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.