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Holyrood Academy Catchment Area

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

Holyrood Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Chard, Somerset , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1321 pupils, and a capacity of 1300 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,321

Pupils

1,300

Capacity

102%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2023

Holyrood Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Holyrood Academy?

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

As an academy, Holyrood Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Somerset. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 1321 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1300 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 Somerset publishes the 2027 Holyrood Academy numbers →

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

Find Somerset catchment area documents →

Holyrood Academy: at or above its 1300 place limit

Holyrood Academy has a published admission number of 1300 places. 1321 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 102%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1300 places. Somerset 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. 25.6% of pupils at Holyrood Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Somerset.

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

Somerset 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. Somerset Council school admissions (official) →

Holyrood Academy: School Information

Full address
Zembard Lane, Chard, TA20 1JL
Local authority
Somerset
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
25.6% of pupils
DfE URN
136295

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Holyrood 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: Holyrood Academy

What is the catchment area for Holyrood Academy?

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

Is Holyrood Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Holyrood Academy currently has 1321 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1300 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Holyrood Academy?

Admission to Holyrood Academy is managed by Somerset. 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 Holyrood Academy cover?

Holyrood Academy is a secondary school in Chard, Somerset, 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 Holyrood Academy?

Holyrood Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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