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catchment.school

The Cotswold Academy Catchment Area

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

The Cotswold Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1500 pupils, and a capacity of 1402 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,500

Pupils

1,402

Capacity

107%

Fill rate

The Cotswold Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Cotswold Academy?

The catchment area for The Cotswold Academy is the geographic zone Gloucestershire 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. Gloucestershire 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 Cotswold Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Gloucestershire. 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: 1500 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1402 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 Gloucestershire publishes the 2027 The Cotswold Academy numbers →

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

Find Gloucestershire catchment area documents →

The Cotswold Academy: at or above its 1402 place limit

The Cotswold Academy has a published admission number of 1402 places. 1500 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 107%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1402 places. Gloucestershire 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. 15.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Cheltenham.

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

Gloucestershire 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. Gloucestershire Council school admissions (official) →

The Cotswold Academy: School Information

Full address
The Avenue, Bourton-on-the-Water, Cheltenham, GL54 2BD
Local authority
Gloucestershire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
15.3% of pupils
DfE URN
136292

Other Secondary Schools in Cheltenham

If The Cotswold Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Cheltenham are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Cotswold 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: The Cotswold Academy

What is the catchment area for The Cotswold Academy?

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

Is The Cotswold Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, The Cotswold Academy currently has 1500 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1402 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Cotswold Academy?

Admission to The Cotswold Academy is managed by Gloucestershire. 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 Cotswold Academy cover?

The Cotswold Academy is a secondary school in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

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