Orchards Academy Catchment Area
Orchards Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Swanley, Kent , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 545 pupils, and a capacity of 828 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.
11-18
Age range
545
Pupils
828
Capacity
66%
Fill rate
Orchards Academy Catchment Area Information
What is the catchment area for Orchards Academy?
The catchment area for Orchards Academy is the geographic zone Kent 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. Kent publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
As an academy, Orchards Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Kent. 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 Kent before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.
Find Kent catchment area documents →Orchards Academy: 828 places, 66% filled: places available
Orchards Academy has a published admission number of 828 places. 545 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 66%. At 66% full, the school currently has headroom below its 828 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. 44% of pupils at Orchards 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 Swanley.
To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.
Kent 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 Kent school admissions →
Orchards Academy: School Information
- Full address
- St Mary's Road, Swanley, BR8 7TE
- Local authority
- Kent
- School type
- Academy converter
- Phase of education
- Secondary
- Age range
- 11-18 years
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 44% of pupils
- DfE URN
- 136304
Nearest secondary schools by distance
These are the secondary schools closest to Orchards 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Orchards Academy
What is the catchment area for Orchards Academy? ▾
The catchment area for Orchards Academy is the geographic zone Kent 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. Kent publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
Is Orchards Academy oversubscribed? ▾
Orchards Academy has a capacity of 828 places and currently has 545 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Kent.
What is the admissions policy for Orchards Academy? ▾
Admission to Orchards Academy is managed by Kent. 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 Orchards Academy cover? ▾
Orchards Academy is a secondary school in Swanley, Kent, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.