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catchment.school

Samuel Ward Academy Catchment Area

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

Samuel Ward Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Haverhill, Suffolk , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1152 pupils, and a capacity of 1250 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-18

Age range

1,152

Pupils

1,250

Capacity

92%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Samuel Ward Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Samuel Ward Academy?

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

As an academy, Samuel Ward Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Suffolk. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 92% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Samuel Ward Academy goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Suffolk catchment area documents →

Samuel Ward Academy: 1250 places, 92% filled: nearing capacity

Samuel Ward Academy has a published admission number of 1250 places. 1152 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 92%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1250, Suffolk'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. 17.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Haverhill.

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

Suffolk 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. Suffolk Council school admissions (official) →

Samuel Ward Academy: School Information

Full address
Chalkstone Way, Haverhill, CB9 0LD
Local authority
Suffolk
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
17.4% of pupils
DfE URN
136322

Other Secondary Schools in Haverhill

If Samuel Ward Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Haverhill are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Samuel Ward 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: Samuel Ward Academy

What is the catchment area for Samuel Ward Academy?

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

Is Samuel Ward Academy oversubscribed?

Samuel Ward Academy is operating close to its capacity of 1250 places (92% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Samuel Ward Academy?

Admission to Samuel Ward Academy is managed by Suffolk. 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 Samuel Ward Academy cover?

Samuel Ward Academy is a secondary school in Haverhill, Suffolk, 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 Samuel Ward Academy?

Samuel Ward Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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