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The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy Catchment Area

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

The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy is an academy converter primary school in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire , serving pupils aged 0-7, with 221 pupils, and a capacity of 180 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

0-7

Age range

221

Pupils

180

Capacity

123%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2014

The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy?

The catchment area for The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy is the geographic zone Lincolnshire uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Lincolnshire 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 Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Lincolnshire. 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: 221 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 180 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 Lincolnshire publishes the 2027 The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy numbers →

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

Find Lincolnshire catchment area documents →

The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy: heavily oversubscribed at 123% capacity

The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy has a published admission number of 180 places. 221 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 123%. At 123% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Lincolnshire allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. Living within the catchment area is a strong but not guaranteed advantage, as the last distance offered shrinks each year as applications rise.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 50.6% of pupils at The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy 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 Gainsborough.

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

Lincolnshire 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. Lincolnshire Council school admissions (official) →

The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy: School Information

Full address
Heapham Road, Gainsborough, DN21 1SW
Local authority
Lincolnshire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
0-7 years
Free school meals
50.6% of pupils
DfE URN
138330

Other Primary Schools in Gainsborough

If The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Gainsborough are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years 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 Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy

What is the catchment area for The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy?

The catchment area for The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy is the geographic zone Lincolnshire uses to prioritise admissions when this primary 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. Lincolnshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy currently has 221 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 180 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy?

Admission to The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy is managed by Lincolnshire. 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 Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy cover?

The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy is a primary school in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, serving pupils aged 0-7. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy?

The Gainsborough Hillcrest Early Years Academy was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2014. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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