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The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College Catchment Area

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

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is an academy converter secondary school in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1450 pupils, and a capacity of 1360 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,450

Pupils

1,360

Capacity

107%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2023

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College?

The catchment area for The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is the geographic zone Hertfordshire 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. Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Hertfordshire. 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: 1450 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1360 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 Hertfordshire publishes the 2027 The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College numbers →

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

Find Hertfordshire catchment area documents →

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College: at or above its 1360 place limit

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College has a published admission number of 1360 places. 1450 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 107%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1360 places. Hertfordshire 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. 5.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Bishop's Stortford.

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

Hertfordshire 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. Hertfordshire Council school admissions (official) →

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College: School Information

Full address
Warwick Road, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 5NJ
Local authority
Hertfordshire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Gender
Girls
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
5.2% of pupils
DfE URN
140786

Other Secondary Schools in Bishop's Stortford

If The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College 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 Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College

What is the catchment area for The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College?

The catchment area for The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is the geographic zone Hertfordshire 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. Hertfordshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College oversubscribed?

Yes, The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College currently has 1450 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1360 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College?

Admission to The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is managed by Hertfordshire. 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 Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College cover?

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is a secondary school in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, 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 Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College?

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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