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Tanfield School Catchment Area

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

Tanfield School is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Stanley, County Durham , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 702 pupils, and a capacity of 690 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

702

Pupils

690

Capacity

102%

Fill rate

Tanfield School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Tanfield School?

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

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

Currently oversubscribed: 702 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 690 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 County Durham publishes the 2027 Tanfield School numbers →

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

Find County Durham catchment area documents →

Tanfield School: at or above its 690 place limit

Tanfield School has a published admission number of 690 places. 702 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 102%. The school is at or above its published limit of 690 places. County Durham 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. 32.2% of pupils at Tanfield School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across County Durham.

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

County Durham 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. County Durham Council school admissions (official) →

Tanfield School: School Information

Full address
Tanfield Lea Road, Stanley, DH9 8AY
Local authority
County Durham
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
32.2% of pupils
DfE URN
147894

Other Secondary Schools in Stanley

If Tanfield School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Stanley are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Tanfield 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: Tanfield School

What is the catchment area for Tanfield School?

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

Is Tanfield School oversubscribed?

Yes, Tanfield School currently has 702 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 690 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Tanfield School?

Admission to Tanfield School is managed by County Durham. 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 Tanfield School cover?

Tanfield School is a secondary school in Stanley, County Durham, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

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