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catchment.school

Rathfern Primary School Catchment Area

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

Rathfern Primary School is a community primary school in London, Lewisham , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 497 pupils, and a capacity of 515 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

3-11

Age range

497

Pupils

515

Capacity

97%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2016

Rathfern Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Rathfern Primary School?

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

The catchment area for Rathfern Primary School is set by Lewisham and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

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 Rathfern Primary School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Lewisham catchment area documents →

Rathfern Primary School: 515 places, 97% filled: nearing capacity

Rathfern Primary School has a published admission number of 515 places. 497 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 515, Lewisham'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. 21.7% of pupils at Rathfern Primary School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Lewisham.

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

Lewisham 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 Lewisham school admissions →

Rathfern Primary School: School Information

Full address
Rathfern Road, Catford, London, SE6 4NL
Local authority
Lewisham
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Free school meals
21.7% of pupils
DfE URN
100700

Other Primary Schools in London

If Rathfern Primary School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in London are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Rathfern Primary 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: Rathfern Primary School

What is the catchment area for Rathfern Primary School?

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

Is Rathfern Primary School oversubscribed?

Rathfern Primary School is operating close to its capacity of 515 places (97% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Rathfern Primary School?

Admission to Rathfern Primary School is managed by Lewisham. 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 Rathfern Primary School cover?

Rathfern Primary School is a primary school in London, Lewisham, serving pupils aged 3-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Rathfern Primary School?

Rathfern Primary School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2016. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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