Skip to content
A free, independent guide for parents - updated each admissions cycle. 26,506 schools · England & Wales
catchment.school

The Woodlands Catchment Area

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

The Woodlands is a pupil referral unit not applicable school in Ferryhill, County Durham , serving pupils aged 6-16, with 228 pupils, and a capacity of 100 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

6-16

Age range

228

Pupils

100

Capacity

228%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2016

The Woodlands Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Woodlands?

The catchment area for The Woodlands is the geographic zone County Durham uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. County Durham publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

The catchment area for The Woodlands is set by County Durham and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Currently oversubscribed: 228 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 100 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 County Durham publishes the 2027 The Woodlands numbers →

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

Find County Durham catchment area documents →

The Woodlands: heavily oversubscribed at 228% capacity

The Woodlands has a published admission number of 100 places. 228 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 228%. At 228% capacity, the school is heavily oversubscribed. County Durham 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. 76.8% of pupils at The Woodlands 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 Ferryhill.

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

County Durham 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. County Durham Council school admissions (official) →

The Woodlands: School Information

Full address
Broom Road, Ferryhill, DL17 8AN
Local authority
County Durham
School type
Pupil referral unit
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
6-16 years
Free school meals
76.8% of pupils
DfE URN
113992

Other Not applicable Schools in Ferryhill

If The Woodlands is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Ferryhill are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to The Woodlands 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 Woodlands

What is the catchment area for The Woodlands?

The catchment area for The Woodlands is the geographic zone County Durham uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable 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. County Durham publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Woodlands oversubscribed?

Yes, The Woodlands currently has 228 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 100 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Woodlands?

Admission to The Woodlands is managed by County Durham. 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 Woodlands cover?

The Woodlands is a not applicable school in Ferryhill, County Durham, serving pupils aged 6-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Woodlands?

The Woodlands was rated Good by Ofsted in 2016. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Get admissions updates by email

Join parents who get catchment boundary changes and key admissions dates - free, once per term.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.