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catchment.school

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland Catchment Area

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

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is an academy converter secondary school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 926 pupils, and a capacity of 956 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-18

Age range

926

Pupils

956

Capacity

97%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2017

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for King James I Academy Bishop Auckland?

The catchment area for King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is the geographic zone County Durham 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. County Durham publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, King James I Academy Bishop Auckland sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with County Durham. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 97% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if King James I Academy Bishop Auckland goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find County Durham catchment area documents →

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland: 956 places, 97% filled: nearing capacity

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland has a published admission number of 956 places. 926 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 97%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 956, County Durham'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. 50.9% of pupils at King James I Academy Bishop Auckland 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 Bishop Auckland.

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

County Durham 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. County Durham Council school admissions (official) →

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland: School Information

Full address
South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7JZ
Local authority
County Durham
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
50.9% of pupils
DfE URN
136770

Other Secondary Schools in Bishop Auckland

If King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Bishop Auckland are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to King James I Academy Bishop Auckland 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: King James I Academy Bishop Auckland

What is the catchment area for King James I Academy Bishop Auckland?

The catchment area for King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is the geographic zone County Durham 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. County Durham publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is King James I Academy Bishop Auckland oversubscribed?

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is operating close to its capacity of 956 places (97% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for King James I Academy Bishop Auckland?

Admission to King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is managed by County Durham. 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 King James I Academy Bishop Auckland cover?

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland is a secondary school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, 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 King James I Academy Bishop Auckland?

King James I Academy Bishop Auckland was rated Good by Ofsted in 2017. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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