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catchment.school

Orchard Primary Academy Catchment Area

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

Orchard Primary Academy is an academy sponsor led primary school in Dewsbury, Kirklees , serving pupils aged 2-11, with 381 pupils, and a capacity of 350 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

2-11

Age range

381

Pupils

350

Capacity

109%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Orchard Primary Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Orchard Primary Academy?

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

As an academy, Orchard Primary Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Kirklees. 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: 381 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 350 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 Kirklees publishes the 2027 Orchard Primary Academy numbers →

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

Find Kirklees catchment area documents →

Orchard Primary Academy: at or above its 350 place limit

Orchard Primary Academy has a published admission number of 350 places. 381 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 109%. The school is at or above its published limit of 350 places. Kirklees 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. 68.7% of pupils at Orchard Primary Academy 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 Dewsbury.

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

Kirklees 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 Kirklees school admissions →

Orchard Primary Academy: School Information

Full address
Princess Road, Chickenley, Dewsbury, WF12 8QT
Local authority
Kirklees
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
2-11 years
Free school meals
68.7% of pupils
DfE URN
142003

Other Primary Schools in Dewsbury

If Orchard Primary Academy is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Dewsbury are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Orchard Primary 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: Orchard Primary Academy

What is the catchment area for Orchard Primary Academy?

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

Is Orchard Primary Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, Orchard Primary Academy currently has 381 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 350 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Orchard Primary Academy?

Admission to Orchard Primary Academy is managed by Kirklees. 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 Orchard Primary Academy cover?

Orchard Primary Academy is a primary school in Dewsbury, Kirklees, serving pupils aged 2-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Orchard Primary Academy?

Orchard Primary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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