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catchment.school

Ridgeway Academy Catchment Area

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

Ridgeway Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 929 pupils, and a capacity of 1220 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

929

Pupils

1,220

Capacity

76%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2023

Ridgeway Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Ridgeway Academy?

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

As an academy, Ridgeway Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Hertfordshire. 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 Hertfordshire before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Hertfordshire catchment area documents →

Ridgeway Academy: 1220 places, 76% filled: places available

Ridgeway Academy has a published admission number of 1220 places. 929 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 76%. At 76% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1220 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. 31.7% of pupils at Ridgeway Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Hertfordshire.

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

Hertfordshire 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. Hertfordshire Council school admissions (official) →

Ridgeway Academy: School Information

Full address
Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AF
Local authority
Hertfordshire
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
31.7% of pupils
DfE URN
146305

Other Secondary Schools in Welwyn Garden City

If Ridgeway Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Welwyn Garden City are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Ridgeway 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: Ridgeway Academy

What is the catchment area for Ridgeway Academy?

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

Is Ridgeway Academy oversubscribed?

Ridgeway Academy has a capacity of 1220 places and currently has 929 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Hertfordshire.

What is the admissions policy for Ridgeway Academy?

Admission to Ridgeway Academy is managed by Hertfordshire. 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 Ridgeway Academy cover?

Ridgeway Academy is a secondary school in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 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 Ridgeway Academy?

Ridgeway Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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