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catchment.school

Hillside Special School Catchment Area

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

Hillside Special School is a community special not applicable school in Sudbury, Suffolk , serving pupils aged 4-19, with 86 pupils, and a capacity of 86 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

4-19

Age range

86

Pupils

86

Capacity

100%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2014

Hillside Special School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Hillside Special School?

The catchment area for Hillside Special School is the geographic zone Suffolk 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. Suffolk 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 Hillside Special School is set by Suffolk and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Currently oversubscribed: 86 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 86 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 Suffolk publishes the 2027 Hillside Special School numbers →

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

Find Suffolk catchment area documents →

Hillside Special School: at or above its 86 place limit

Hillside Special School has a published admission number of 86 places. 86 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 100%. The school is at or above its published limit of 86 places. Suffolk 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. 45.2% of pupils at Hillside Special 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 Sudbury.

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

Suffolk 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. Suffolk Council school admissions (official) →

Hillside Special School: School Information

Full address
Hitchcock Place, Sudbury, CO10 1NN
Local authority
Suffolk
School type
Community special school
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
4-19 years
Free school meals
45.2% of pupils
DfE URN
124903

Other Not applicable Schools in Sudbury

If Hillside Special School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Sudbury are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Hillside Special 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: Hillside Special School

What is the catchment area for Hillside Special School?

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

Is Hillside Special School oversubscribed?

Yes, Hillside Special School currently has 86 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 86 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Hillside Special School?

Admission to Hillside Special School is managed by Suffolk. 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 Hillside Special School cover?

Hillside Special School is a not applicable school in Sudbury, Suffolk, serving pupils aged 4-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Hillside Special School?

Hillside Special School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2014. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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