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catchment.school

Highfield School Catchment Area

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

Highfield School is a foundation special not applicable school in Ossett, Wakefield , serving pupils aged 11-19, with 208 pupils, and a capacity of 210 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-19

Age range

208

Pupils

210

Capacity

99%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2018

Highfield School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Highfield School?

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

The catchment area for Highfield School is set by Wakefield and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Operating near capacity: 99% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Highfield School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Wakefield catchment area documents →

Highfield School: 210 places, 99% filled: nearing capacity

Highfield School has a published admission number of 210 places. 208 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 99%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 210, Wakefield'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. 51.9% of pupils at Highfield School 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 Ossett.

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

Wakefield 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 Wakefield school admissions →

Highfield School: School Information

Full address
Gawthorpe Lane, Ossett, WF5 9BS
Local authority
Wakefield
School type
Foundation special school
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
11-19 years
Free school meals
51.9% of pupils
DfE URN
108311

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Highfield 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: Highfield School

What is the catchment area for Highfield School?

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

Is Highfield School oversubscribed?

Highfield School is operating close to its capacity of 210 places (99% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Highfield School?

Admission to Highfield School is managed by Wakefield. 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 Highfield School cover?

Highfield School is a not applicable school in Ossett, Wakefield, serving pupils aged 11-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Highfield School?

Highfield School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2018. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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