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The Willink School Catchment Area

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

The Willink School is a community secondary school in Reading, West Berkshire , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1233 pupils, and a capacity of 995 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-18

Age range

1,233

Pupils

995

Capacity

124%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2014

The Willink School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Willink School?

The catchment area for The Willink School is the geographic zone West Berkshire 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. West Berkshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Secondary school places at The Willink School are allocated by West Berkshire using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.

Currently oversubscribed: 1233 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 995 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 West Berkshire publishes the 2027 The Willink School numbers →

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

Find West Berkshire catchment area documents →

The Willink School: heavily oversubscribed at 124% capacity

The Willink School has a published admission number of 995 places. 1233 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 124%. At 124% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. West Berkshire 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. 12.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Reading.

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

West Berkshire 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 West Berkshire school admissions →

The Willink School: School Information

Full address
School Lane, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3XJ
Local authority
West Berkshire
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
12.8% of pupils
DfE URN
110048

Other Secondary Schools in Reading

If The Willink School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Reading are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Willink 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 Willink School

What is the catchment area for The Willink School?

The catchment area for The Willink School is the geographic zone West Berkshire 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. West Berkshire publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Willink School oversubscribed?

Yes, The Willink School currently has 1233 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 995 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Willink School?

Admission to The Willink School is managed by West Berkshire. 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 Willink School cover?

The Willink School is a secondary school in Reading, West Berkshire, 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 Willink School?

The Willink School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2014. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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