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catchment.school

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School Catchment Area

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

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is a foundation primary school in Bideford, Devon , serving pupils aged 4-11, with 138 pupils, and a capacity of 140 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

4-11

Age range

138

Pupils

140

Capacity

99%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2011

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Instow Community Primary and Pre-School?

The catchment area for Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is the geographic zone Devon uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Devon 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 Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is set by Devon 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 Instow Community Primary and Pre-School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Devon catchment area documents →

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School: 140 places, 99% filled: nearing capacity

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School has a published admission number of 140 places. 138 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 140, Devon'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. 10.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Bideford.

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

Devon 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. Devon Council school admissions (official) →

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School: School Information

Full address
Rectory Lane, Instow, Bideford, EX39 4LU
Local authority
Devon
School type
Foundation school
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
4-11 years
Free school meals
10.1% of pupils
DfE URN
113156

Other Primary Schools in Bideford

If Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Bideford are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Instow Community Primary and Pre-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: Instow Community Primary and Pre-School

What is the catchment area for Instow Community Primary and Pre-School?

The catchment area for Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is the geographic zone Devon uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Devon publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Instow Community Primary and Pre-School oversubscribed?

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is operating close to its capacity of 140 places (99% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Instow Community Primary and Pre-School?

Admission to Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is managed by Devon. 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 Instow Community Primary and Pre-School cover?

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School is a primary school in Bideford, Devon, serving pupils aged 4-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Instow Community Primary and Pre-School?

Instow Community Primary and Pre-School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2011. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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