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catchment.school

Friars Academy Catchment Area

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

Friars Academy is an academy special converter not applicable school in Wellingborough, North Northamptonshire , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 143 pupils, and a capacity of 154 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-18

Age range

143

Pupils

154

Capacity

93%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2015

Friars Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Friars Academy?

The catchment area for Friars Academy is the geographic zone North Northamptonshire uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. North Northamptonshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

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

Operating near capacity: 93% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Friars Academy goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find North Northamptonshire catchment area documents →

Friars Academy: 154 places, 93% filled: nearing capacity

Friars Academy has a published admission number of 154 places. 143 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 93%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 154, North Northamptonshire's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 47.4% of pupils at Friars 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 Wellingborough.

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

North Northamptonshire 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 North Northamptonshire school admissions →

Friars Academy: School Information

Full address
Friars Close, Wellingborough, NN8 2LA
Local authority
North Northamptonshire
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
11-18 years
Free school meals
47.4% of pupils
DfE URN
140277

Other Not applicable Schools in Wellingborough

If Friars Academy is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Wellingborough are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Friars 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: Friars Academy

What is the catchment area for Friars Academy?

The catchment area for Friars Academy is the geographic zone North Northamptonshire uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. North Northamptonshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Friars Academy oversubscribed?

Friars Academy is operating close to its capacity of 154 places (93% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Friars Academy?

Admission to Friars Academy is managed by North Northamptonshire. 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 Friars Academy cover?

Friars Academy is a not applicable school in Wellingborough, North Northamptonshire, 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 Friars Academy?

Friars Academy was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2015. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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