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catchment.school

Thornhill Primary School Catchment Area

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

Thornhill Primary School is a community primary school in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire , serving pupils aged 2-11, with 450 pupils, and a capacity of 660 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby primary schools below.

2-11

Age range

450

Pupils

660

Capacity

68%

Fill rate

Thornhill Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Thornhill Primary School?

The catchment area for Thornhill Primary School is the geographic zone Central Bedfordshire 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. Central Bedfordshire 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 Thornhill Primary School is set by Central Bedfordshire and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

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

Find Central Bedfordshire catchment area documents →

Thornhill Primary School: 660 places, 68% filled: places available

Thornhill Primary School has a published admission number of 660 places. 450 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 68%. At 68% full, the school currently has headroom below its 660 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 16.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Dunstable.

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

Central Bedfordshire 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 Central Bedfordshire school admissions →

Thornhill Primary School: School Information

Full address
Grove Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5PE
Local authority
Central Bedfordshire
School type
Community school
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
2-11 years
Free school meals
16.7% of pupils
DfE URN
109504

Other Primary Schools in Dunstable

If Thornhill Primary School is oversubscribed, these primary schools in Dunstable are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest primary schools by distance

These are the primary schools closest to Thornhill Primary 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: Thornhill Primary School

What is the catchment area for Thornhill Primary School?

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

Is Thornhill Primary School oversubscribed?

Thornhill Primary School has a capacity of 660 places and currently has 450 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Central Bedfordshire.

What is the admissions policy for Thornhill Primary School?

Admission to Thornhill Primary School is managed by Central Bedfordshire. 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 Thornhill Primary School cover?

Thornhill Primary School is a primary school in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, serving pupils aged 2-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

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