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The Chiltern School Catchment Area

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

The Chiltern School is a community special not applicable school in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire , serving pupils aged 3-19, with 347 pupils, and a capacity of 400 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby not applicable schools below.

3-19

Age range

347

Pupils

400

Capacity

87%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2012

The Chiltern School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Chiltern School?

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

The catchment area for The Chiltern School is set by Central Bedfordshire and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

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

Find Central Bedfordshire catchment area documents →

The Chiltern School: 400 places, 87% filled: places available

The Chiltern School has a published admission number of 400 places. 347 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 87%. At 87% full, the school currently has headroom below its 400 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 32.4% of pupils at The Chiltern School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Central Bedfordshire.

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

Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire school admissions →

The Chiltern School: School Information

Full address
Parkside Drive, Dunstable, LU5 5PX
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
School type
Community special school
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
3-19 years
Free school meals
32.4% of pupils
DfE URN
109746

Other Not applicable Schools in Dunstable

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

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to The Chiltern 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 Chiltern School

What is the catchment area for The Chiltern School?

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

Is The Chiltern School oversubscribed?

The Chiltern School has a capacity of 400 places and currently has 347 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Central Bedfordshire.

What is the admissions policy for The Chiltern School?

Admission to The Chiltern School is managed by Central Bedfordshire. 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 Chiltern School cover?

The Chiltern School is a not applicable school in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, serving pupils aged 3-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Chiltern School?

The Chiltern School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2012. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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