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The Dorcan Academy Catchment Area

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

The Dorcan Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Swindon , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 888 pupils, and a capacity of 1234 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-16

Age range

888

Pupils

1,234

Capacity

72%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

The Dorcan Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Dorcan Academy?

The catchment area for The Dorcan Academy is the geographic zone Swindon 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. Swindon 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 Dorcan Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Swindon. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

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

Find Swindon catchment area documents →

The Dorcan Academy: 1234 places, 72% filled: places available

The Dorcan Academy has a published admission number of 1234 places. 888 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 72%. At 72% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1234 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. 30.3% of pupils at The Dorcan Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Swindon.

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

Swindon 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 Swindon school admissions →

The Dorcan Academy: School Information

Full address
St Paul's Drive, Covingham, Swindon, SN3 5DA
Local authority
Swindon
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
30.3% of pupils
DfE URN
137684

Other Secondary Schools in Swindon

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

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Dorcan 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 Dorcan Academy

What is the catchment area for The Dorcan Academy?

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

Is The Dorcan Academy oversubscribed?

The Dorcan Academy has a capacity of 1234 places and currently has 888 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Swindon.

What is the admissions policy for The Dorcan Academy?

Admission to The Dorcan Academy is managed by Swindon. 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 Dorcan Academy cover?

The Dorcan Academy is a secondary school in Swindon, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Dorcan Academy?

The Dorcan Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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