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catchment.school

Harris Academy Riverside Catchment Area

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

Harris Academy Riverside is a free s secondary school in Purfleet, Thurrock , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1117 pupils, and a capacity of 1106 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,117

Pupils

1,106

Capacity

101%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Harris Academy Riverside Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Harris Academy Riverside?

The catchment area for Harris Academy Riverside is the geographic zone Thurrock 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. Thurrock 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 Harris Academy Riverside are allocated by Thurrock 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.

Currently oversubscribed: 1117 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1106 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Thurrock publishes the 2027 Harris Academy Riverside numbers →

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

Find Thurrock catchment area documents →

Harris Academy Riverside: at or above its 1106 place limit

Harris Academy Riverside has a published admission number of 1106 places. 1117 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 101%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1106 places. Thurrock allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 28% of pupils at Harris Academy Riverside are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Thurrock.

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

Thurrock 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 Thurrock school admissions →

Harris Academy Riverside: School Information

Full address
London Road, Purfleet, RM19 1QY
Local authority
Thurrock
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
28% of pupils
DfE URN
144750

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Harris Academy Riverside 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: Harris Academy Riverside

What is the catchment area for Harris Academy Riverside?

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

Is Harris Academy Riverside oversubscribed?

Yes, Harris Academy Riverside currently has 1117 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1106 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Harris Academy Riverside?

Admission to Harris Academy Riverside is managed by Thurrock. 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 Harris Academy Riverside cover?

Harris Academy Riverside is a secondary school in Purfleet, Thurrock, 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 Harris Academy Riverside?

Harris Academy Riverside was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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