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catchment.school

Oriel High School Catchment Area

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

Oriel High School is a community secondary school in Crawley, West Sussex , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1478 pupils, and a capacity of 1450 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,478

Pupils

1,450

Capacity

102%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2012

Oriel High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Oriel High School?

The catchment area for Oriel High School is the geographic zone West Sussex 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. West Sussex publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Secondary school places at Oriel High School are allocated by West Sussex using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.

Currently oversubscribed: 1478 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1450 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 West Sussex publishes the 2027 Oriel High School numbers →

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

Find West Sussex catchment area documents →

Oriel High School: at or above its 1450 place limit

Oriel High School has a published admission number of 1450 places. 1478 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 102%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1450 places. West Sussex 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. 13.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Crawley.

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

West Sussex 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. West Sussex Council school admissions (official) →

Oriel High School: School Information

Full address
Matthews Drive, Maidenbower, Crawley, RH10 7XW
Local authority
West Sussex
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
13.9% of pupils
DfE URN
134042

Other Secondary Schools in Crawley

If Oriel High School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Crawley are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Oriel High 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: Oriel High School

What is the catchment area for Oriel High School?

The catchment area for Oriel High School is the geographic zone West Sussex 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. West Sussex publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Oriel High School oversubscribed?

Yes, Oriel High School currently has 1478 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1450 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Oriel High School?

Admission to Oriel High School is managed by West Sussex. 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 Oriel High School cover?

Oriel High School is a secondary school in Crawley, West Sussex, 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 Oriel High School?

Oriel High School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2012. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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