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Sir Frederick Gibberd College Catchment Area

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

Sir Frederick Gibberd College is a free s secondary school in Harlow, Essex , serving pupils aged 11-19, with 843 pupils, and a capacity of 800 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-19

Age range

843

Pupils

800

Capacity

105%

Fill rate

Sir Frederick Gibberd College Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Sir Frederick Gibberd College?

The catchment area for Sir Frederick Gibberd College is the geographic zone Essex 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. Essex 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 Sir Frederick Gibberd College are allocated by Essex 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.

Currently oversubscribed: 843 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 800 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Essex publishes the 2027 Sir Frederick Gibberd College numbers →

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

Find Essex catchment area documents →

Sir Frederick Gibberd College: at or above its 800 place limit

Sir Frederick Gibberd College has a published admission number of 800 places. 843 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 105%. The school is at or above its published limit of 800 places. Essex allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 26.9% of pupils at Sir Frederick Gibberd College are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Essex.

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

Essex 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. Essex Council school admissions (official) →

Sir Frederick Gibberd College: School Information

Full address
Tendring Road, Harlow, CM18 6RN
Local authority
Essex
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-19 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
26.9% of pupils
DfE URN
143697

Other Secondary Schools in Harlow

If Sir Frederick Gibberd College is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Harlow are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Sir Frederick Gibberd College 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: Sir Frederick Gibberd College

What is the catchment area for Sir Frederick Gibberd College?

The catchment area for Sir Frederick Gibberd College is the geographic zone Essex 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. Essex publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Sir Frederick Gibberd College oversubscribed?

Yes, Sir Frederick Gibberd College currently has 843 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 800 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Sir Frederick Gibberd College?

Admission to Sir Frederick Gibberd College is managed by Essex. 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 Sir Frederick Gibberd College cover?

Sir Frederick Gibberd College is a secondary school in Harlow, Essex, 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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