Skip to content
A free, independent guide for parents - updated each admissions cycle. 26,506 schools · England & Wales
catchment.school

Durham Academy Catchment Area

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

Durham Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Durham, County Durham , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 396 pupils, and a capacity of 693 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-16

Age range

396

Pupils

693

Capacity

57%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2022

Durham Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Durham Academy?

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

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

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

Find County Durham catchment area documents →

Durham Academy: 693 places, 57% filled: places available

Durham Academy has a published admission number of 693 places. 396 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 57%. At 57% full, the school currently has headroom below its 693 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. 61.1% of pupils at Durham Academy are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Durham.

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

County Durham 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. County Durham Council school admissions (official) →

Durham Academy: School Information

Full address
Bracken Court, Ushaw Moor, Durham, DH7 7NG
Local authority
County Durham
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
61.1% of pupils
DfE URN
149251

Other Secondary Schools in Durham

If Durham Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Durham are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Durham 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: Durham Academy

What is the catchment area for Durham Academy?

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

Is Durham Academy oversubscribed?

Durham Academy has a capacity of 693 places and currently has 396 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with County Durham.

What is the admissions policy for Durham Academy?

Admission to Durham Academy is managed by County Durham. 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 Durham Academy cover?

Durham Academy is a secondary school in Durham, County Durham, 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 Durham Academy?

Durham Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Get admissions updates by email

Join parents who get catchment boundary changes and key admissions dates - free, once per term.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.