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The Palmer Primary Academy Catchment Area

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

The Palmer Primary Academy is an academy sponsor led primary school in Reading , serving pupils aged 3-11, with 442 pupils, and a capacity of 420 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

3-11

Age range

442

Pupils

420

Capacity

105%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

The Palmer Primary Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Palmer Primary Academy?

The catchment area for The Palmer Primary Academy is the geographic zone Reading 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. Reading 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 Palmer Primary Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Reading. 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: 442 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 420 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 Reading publishes the 2027 The Palmer Primary Academy numbers →

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

Find Reading catchment area documents →

The Palmer Primary Academy: at or above its 420 place limit

The Palmer Primary Academy has a published admission number of 420 places. 442 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 105%. The school is at or above its published limit of 420 places. Reading 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. 26.9% of pupils at The Palmer Primary Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Reading.

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

Reading 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 Reading school admissions →

The Palmer Primary Academy: School Information

Full address
70 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, RG2 7PP
Local authority
Reading
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
3-11 years
Free school meals
26.9% of pupils
DfE URN
139653

Other Primary Schools in Reading

If The Palmer Primary Academy is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Reading are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to The Palmer Primary 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 Palmer Primary Academy

What is the catchment area for The Palmer Primary Academy?

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

Is The Palmer Primary Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, The Palmer Primary Academy currently has 442 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 420 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Palmer Primary Academy?

Admission to The Palmer Primary Academy is managed by Reading. 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 Palmer Primary Academy cover?

The Palmer Primary Academy is a primary school in Reading, serving pupils aged 3-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Palmer Primary Academy?

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

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