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catchment.school

River Academy Catchment Area

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

River Academy is a free s secondary school in Reading , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 186 pupils, and a capacity of 1200 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

186

Pupils

1,200

Capacity

16%

Fill rate

River Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for River Academy?

The catchment area for River Academy is the geographic zone Reading 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. Reading 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 River Academy are allocated by Reading 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.

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

Find Reading catchment area documents →

River Academy: 1200 places, 16% filled: places available

River Academy has a published admission number of 1200 places. 186 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 16%. At 16% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1200 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. 28.5% of pupils at River Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Reading.

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

Reading 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 Reading school admissions →

River Academy: School Information

Full address
7 Richfield Avenue, Reading, RG1 8EQ
Local authority
Reading
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
28.5% of pupils
DfE URN
150728

Other Secondary Schools in Reading

If River Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Reading are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to River 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: River Academy

What is the catchment area for River Academy?

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

Is River Academy oversubscribed?

River Academy has a capacity of 1200 places and currently has 186 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Reading.

What is the admissions policy for River Academy?

Admission to River Academy is managed by Reading. 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 River Academy cover?

River Academy is a secondary school in Reading, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

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