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catchment.school

The Centre School Catchment Area

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

The Centre School is an academy special converter not applicable school in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire , serving pupils aged 11-19, with 137 pupils, and a capacity of 130 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-19

Age range

137

Pupils

130

Capacity

105%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

The Centre School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Centre School?

The catchment area for The Centre School is the geographic zone Cambridgeshire uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. Cambridgeshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, The Centre School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Cambridgeshire. 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: 137 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 130 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 Cambridgeshire publishes the 2027 The Centre School numbers →

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

Find Cambridgeshire catchment area documents →

The Centre School: at or above its 130 place limit

The Centre School has a published admission number of 130 places. 137 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 105%. The school is at or above its published limit of 130 places. Cambridgeshire 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. 64.2% of pupils at The Centre School are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Cambridge.

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

Cambridgeshire 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. Cambridgeshire Council school admissions (official) →

The Centre School: School Information

Full address
High Street, Cottenham, Cambridge, CB24 8UA
Local authority
Cambridgeshire
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
11-19 years
Free school meals
64.2% of pupils
DfE URN
137594

Other Not applicable Schools in Cambridge

If The Centre School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Cambridge are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to The Centre 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: The Centre School

What is the catchment area for The Centre School?

The catchment area for The Centre School is the geographic zone Cambridgeshire uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. Cambridgeshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Centre School oversubscribed?

Yes, The Centre School currently has 137 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 130 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Centre School?

Admission to The Centre School is managed by Cambridgeshire. 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 The Centre School cover?

The Centre School is a not applicable school in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, serving pupils aged 11-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Centre School?

The Centre School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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