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catchment.school

The Link Academy Catchment Area

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

The Link Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Dudley , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1014 pupils, and a capacity of 1050 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-16

Age range

1,014

Pupils

1,050

Capacity

97%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

The Link Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Link Academy?

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

Operating near capacity: 97% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if The Link Academy goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Dudley catchment area documents →

The Link Academy: 1050 places, 97% filled: nearing capacity

The Link Academy has a published admission number of 1050 places. 1014 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 97%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1050, Dudley's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 49.7% of pupils at The Link 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 Dudley.

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

Dudley 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 Dudley school admissions →

The Link Academy: School Information

Full address
Simms Lane, Netherton, Dudley, DY2 0PB
Local authority
Dudley
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
49.7% of pupils
DfE URN
144952

Other Secondary Schools in Dudley

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

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Link 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 Link Academy

What is the catchment area for The Link Academy?

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

Is The Link Academy oversubscribed?

The Link Academy is operating close to its capacity of 1050 places (97% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for The Link Academy?

Admission to The Link Academy is managed by Dudley. 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 Link Academy cover?

The Link Academy is a secondary school in Dudley, 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 Link Academy?

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

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