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catchment.school

Market Field School Catchment Area

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

Market Field School is an academy special converter not applicable school in Colchester, Essex , serving pupils aged 5-19, with 502 pupils, and a capacity of 225 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

5-19

Age range

502

Pupils

225

Capacity

223%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2019

Market Field School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Market Field School?

The catchment area for Market Field School is the geographic zone Essex uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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, Market Field 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.

Currently oversubscribed: 502 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 225 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 Essex publishes the 2027 Market Field School numbers →

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 →

Market Field School: heavily oversubscribed at 223% capacity

Market Field School has a published admission number of 225 places. 502 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 223%. At 223% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Essex allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 42.6% of pupils at Market Field 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 Colchester.

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) →

Market Field School: School Information

Full address
School Road, Elmstead Market, Colchester, CO7 7ET
Local authority
Essex
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
5-19 years
Free school meals
42.6% of pupils
DfE URN
143589

Other Not applicable Schools in Colchester

If Market Field School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Colchester are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Market Field 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: Market Field School

What is the catchment area for Market Field School?

The catchment area for Market Field School is the geographic zone Essex uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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 Market Field School oversubscribed?

Yes, Market Field School currently has 502 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 225 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Market Field School?

Admission to Market Field 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 Market Field School cover?

Market Field School is a not applicable school in Colchester, Essex, serving pupils aged 5-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Market Field School?

Market Field School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2019. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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