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catchment.school

Thriftwood School Catchment Area

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

Thriftwood School is an academy special converter not applicable school in Chelmsford, Essex , serving pupils aged 5-19, with 266 pupils, and a capacity of 266 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

5-19

Age range

266

Pupils

266

Capacity

100%

Fill rate

Outstanding

Ofsted 2017

Thriftwood School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Thriftwood School?

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

As an academy, Thriftwood School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Essex. 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: 266 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 266 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 Essex publishes the 2027 Thriftwood School numbers →

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

Find Essex catchment area documents →

Thriftwood School: at or above its 266 place limit

Thriftwood School has a published admission number of 266 places. 266 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 100%. The school is at or above its published limit of 266 places. Essex 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. 49.5% of pupils at Thriftwood School 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 Chelmsford.

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

Essex 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. Essex Council school admissions (official) →

Thriftwood School: School Information

Full address
Slades Lane, Galleywood, Chelmsford, CM2 8RW
Local authority
Essex
School type
Academy special converter
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
5-19 years
Free school meals
49.5% of pupils
DfE URN
137554

Other Not applicable Schools in Chelmsford

If Thriftwood School is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Chelmsford are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Thriftwood 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: Thriftwood School

What is the catchment area for Thriftwood School?

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

Is Thriftwood School oversubscribed?

Yes, Thriftwood School currently has 266 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 266 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Thriftwood School?

Admission to Thriftwood School is managed by Essex. 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 Thriftwood School cover?

Thriftwood School is a not applicable school in Chelmsford, Essex, serving pupils aged 5-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Thriftwood School?

Thriftwood School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2017. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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