Skip to content
A free, independent guide for parents - updated each admissions cycle. 26,506 schools · England & Wales
catchment.school

Horbury Academy Catchment Area

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

Horbury Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Wakefield , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1075 pupils, and a capacity of 1059 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

1,075

Pupils

1,059

Capacity

102%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2021

Horbury Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Horbury Academy?

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

As an academy, Horbury Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Wakefield. 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: 1075 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1059 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 Wakefield publishes the 2027 Horbury Academy numbers →

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 →

Horbury Academy: at or above its 1059 place limit

Horbury Academy has a published admission number of 1059 places. 1075 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 102%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1059 places. Wakefield 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. 25.7% of pupils at Horbury Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Wakefield.

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 →

Horbury Academy: School Information

Full address
Wakefield Road, Horbury, Wakefield, WF4 5HE
Local authority
Wakefield
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
25.7% of pupils
DfE URN
138707

Other Secondary Schools in Wakefield

If Horbury Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Wakefield are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Horbury 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: Horbury Academy

What is the catchment area for Horbury Academy?

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

Is Horbury Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Horbury Academy currently has 1075 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1059 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Horbury Academy?

Admission to Horbury Academy 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 Horbury Academy cover?

Horbury Academy is a secondary school in Wakefield, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Horbury Academy?

Horbury Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2021. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Get admissions updates by email

Join parents who get catchment boundary changes and key admissions dates - free, once per term.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.