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catchment.school

Thornden School Catchment Area

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

Thornden School is an academy converter secondary school in Eastleigh, Hampshire , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1451 pupils, and a capacity of 1400 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

1,451

Pupils

1,400

Capacity

104%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Thornden School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Thornden School?

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

As an academy, Thornden School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Hampshire. 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: 1451 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1400 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 Hampshire publishes the 2027 Thornden School numbers →

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

Find Hampshire catchment area documents →

Thornden School: at or above its 1400 place limit

Thornden School has a published admission number of 1400 places. 1451 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 104%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1400 places. Hampshire 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. 6.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Eastleigh.

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

Hampshire 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 Hampshire school admissions →

Thornden School: School Information

Full address
Winchester Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 2DW
Local authority
Hampshire
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
6.1% of pupils
DfE URN
136715

Other Secondary Schools in Eastleigh

If Thornden School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Eastleigh are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Thornden 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: Thornden School

What is the catchment area for Thornden School?

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

Is Thornden School oversubscribed?

Yes, Thornden School currently has 1451 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1400 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Thornden School?

Admission to Thornden School is managed by Hampshire. 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 Thornden School cover?

Thornden School is a secondary school in Eastleigh, Hampshire, 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 Thornden School?

Thornden School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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