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catchment.school

The Duchess's Community High School Catchment Area

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

The Duchess's Community High School is an academy converter secondary school in Alnwick, Northumberland , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1341 pupils, and a capacity of 1651 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

1,341

Pupils

1,651

Capacity

81%

Fill rate

Requires improvement

Ofsted 2021

The Duchess's Community High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Duchess's Community High School?

The catchment area for The Duchess's Community High School is the geographic zone Northumberland 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. Northumberland 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 Duchess's Community High School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Northumberland. 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 Northumberland before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Northumberland catchment area documents →

The Duchess's Community High School: 1651 places, 81% filled: places available

The Duchess's Community High School has a published admission number of 1651 places. 1341 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 81%. At 81% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1651 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. 18% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Alnwick.

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

Northumberland 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 Northumberland school admissions →

The Duchess's Community High School: School Information

Full address
Taylor Drive, Alnwick, NE66 2DH
Local authority
Northumberland
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
18% of pupils
DfE URN
150196

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Duchess's Community High 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 Duchess's Community High School

What is the catchment area for The Duchess's Community High School?

The catchment area for The Duchess's Community High School is the geographic zone Northumberland 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. Northumberland publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Duchess's Community High School oversubscribed?

The Duchess's Community High School has a capacity of 1651 places and currently has 1341 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Northumberland.

What is the admissions policy for The Duchess's Community High School?

Admission to The Duchess's Community High School is managed by Northumberland. 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 Duchess's Community High School cover?

The Duchess's Community High School is a secondary school in Alnwick, Northumberland, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Duchess's Community High School?

The Duchess's Community High School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted in 2021. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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