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catchment.school

Rutlish School Catchment Area

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

Rutlish School is a voluntary controlled secondary school in London, Merton , serving pupils aged 11-19, with 1491 pupils, and a capacity of 1500 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-19

Age range

1,491

Pupils

1,500

Capacity

99%

Fill rate

Rutlish School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Rutlish School?

The catchment area for Rutlish School is the geographic zone Merton 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. Merton 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 Rutlish School are allocated by Merton 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.

Operating near capacity: 99% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Rutlish School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Merton catchment area documents →

Rutlish School: 1500 places, 99% filled: nearing capacity

Rutlish School has a published admission number of 1500 places. 1491 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 99%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1500, Merton'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. 22.1% of pupils at Rutlish School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Merton.

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

Merton 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 Merton school admissions →

Rutlish School: School Information

Full address
Watery Lane, Merton Park, London, SW20 9AD
Local authority
Merton
School type
Voluntary controlled school
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-19 years
Gender
Boys
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
22.1% of pupils
DfE URN
102679

Other Secondary Schools in London

If Rutlish School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in London are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Rutlish 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: Rutlish School

What is the catchment area for Rutlish School?

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

Is Rutlish School oversubscribed?

Rutlish School is operating close to its capacity of 1500 places (99% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Rutlish School?

Admission to Rutlish School is managed by Merton. 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 Rutlish School cover?

Rutlish School is a secondary school in London, Merton, serving pupils aged 11-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

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