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catchment.school

Garstang Community Academy Catchment Area

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

Garstang Community Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Preston, Lancashire , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 801 pupils, and a capacity of 915 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-16

Age range

801

Pupils

915

Capacity

88%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2024

Garstang Community Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Garstang Community Academy?

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

As an academy, Garstang Community Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Lancashire. 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 Lancashire before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Lancashire catchment area documents →

Garstang Community Academy: 915 places, 88% filled: places available

Garstang Community Academy has a published admission number of 915 places. 801 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 88%. At 88% full, the school currently has headroom below its 915 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. 18.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Preston.

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

Lancashire 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. Lancashire Council school admissions (official) →

Garstang Community Academy: School Information

Full address
Bowgreave, Garstang, Preston, PR3 1YE
Local authority
Lancashire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
18.6% of pupils
DfE URN
137342

Other Secondary Schools in Preston

If Garstang Community Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Preston are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Garstang Community 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: Garstang Community Academy

What is the catchment area for Garstang Community Academy?

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

Is Garstang Community Academy oversubscribed?

Garstang Community Academy has a capacity of 915 places and currently has 801 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Lancashire.

What is the admissions policy for Garstang Community Academy?

Admission to Garstang Community Academy is managed by Lancashire. 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 Garstang Community Academy cover?

Garstang Community Academy is a secondary school in Preston, Lancashire, 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 Garstang Community Academy?

Garstang Community Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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