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Hylands School Catchment Area

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

Hylands School is an academy converter secondary school in Chelmsford, Essex , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 640 pupils, and a capacity of 1100 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

640

Pupils

1,100

Capacity

58%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2023

Hylands School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Hylands School?

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

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

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

Find Essex catchment area documents →

Hylands School: 1100 places, 58% filled: places available

Hylands School has a published admission number of 1100 places. 640 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 58%. At 58% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1100 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 43.9% of pupils at Hylands 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 Chelmsford.

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

Essex 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. Essex Council school admissions (official) →

Hylands School: School Information

Full address
Chelmsford Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, CM1 3ET
Local authority
Essex
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
43.9% of pupils
DfE URN
137072

Other Secondary Schools in Chelmsford

If Hylands School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Chelmsford are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Hylands 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: Hylands School

What is the catchment area for Hylands School?

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

Is Hylands School oversubscribed?

Hylands School has a capacity of 1100 places and currently has 640 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Essex.

What is the admissions policy for Hylands School?

Admission to Hylands School is managed by Essex. 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 Hylands School cover?

Hylands School is a secondary school in Chelmsford, Essex, 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 Hylands School?

Hylands School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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