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Harlington Lower School Catchment Area

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

Harlington Lower School is an academy converter primary school in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire , serving pupils aged 4-9, with 140 pupils, and a capacity of 150 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

4-9

Age range

140

Pupils

150

Capacity

93%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2023

Harlington Lower School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Harlington Lower School?

The catchment area for Harlington Lower School is the geographic zone Central Bedfordshire 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. Central Bedfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Harlington Lower School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Central Bedfordshire. 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 Harlington Lower School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Central Bedfordshire catchment area documents →

Harlington Lower School: 150 places, 93% filled: nearing capacity

Harlington Lower School has a published admission number of 150 places. 140 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 150, Central Bedfordshire'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. 5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Dunstable.

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

Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire school admissions →

Harlington Lower School: School Information

Full address
Westoning Road, Harlington, Dunstable, LU5 6PD
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
4-9 years
Free school meals
5% of pupils
DfE URN
138938

Other Primary Schools in Dunstable

If Harlington Lower School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Dunstable are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Harlington Lower 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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Harlington Lower School

What is the catchment area for Harlington Lower School?

The catchment area for Harlington Lower School is the geographic zone Central Bedfordshire 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. Central Bedfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Harlington Lower School oversubscribed?

Harlington Lower School is operating close to its capacity of 150 places (93% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Harlington Lower School?

Admission to Harlington Lower School is managed by Central Bedfordshire. 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 Harlington Lower School cover?

Harlington Lower School is a primary school in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, serving pupils aged 4-9. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Harlington Lower School?

Harlington Lower School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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