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

Edgar Wood Academy Catchment Area

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

Edgar Wood Academy is a free s secondary school in Heywood, Rochdale , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 637 pupils, and a capacity of 900 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-16

Age range

637

Pupils

900

Capacity

71%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2023

Edgar Wood Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Edgar Wood Academy?

The catchment area for Edgar Wood Academy is the geographic zone Rochdale 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. Rochdale 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 Edgar Wood Academy are allocated by Rochdale 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.

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

Find Rochdale catchment area documents →

Edgar Wood Academy: 900 places, 71% filled: places available

Edgar Wood Academy has a published admission number of 900 places. 637 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 71%. At 71% full, the school currently has headroom below its 900 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. 41.3% of pupils at Edgar Wood 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 Heywood.

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

Rochdale 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 Rochdale school admissions →

Edgar Wood Academy: School Information

Full address
Heywood Old Road, Heywood, OL10 2QN
Local authority
Rochdale
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
41.3% of pupils
DfE URN
148596

Other Secondary Schools in Heywood

If Edgar Wood Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Heywood are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Edgar Wood 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: Edgar Wood Academy

What is the catchment area for Edgar Wood Academy?

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

Is Edgar Wood Academy oversubscribed?

Edgar Wood Academy has a capacity of 900 places and currently has 637 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Rochdale.

What is the admissions policy for Edgar Wood Academy?

Admission to Edgar Wood Academy is managed by Rochdale. 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 Edgar Wood Academy cover?

Edgar Wood Academy is a secondary school in Heywood, Rochdale, 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 Edgar Wood Academy?

Edgar Wood Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. 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.