Waterhead Academy Catchment Area
Waterhead Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Oldham , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 947 pupils, and a capacity of 1500 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.
11-16
Age range
947
Pupils
1,500
Capacity
63%
Fill rate
Waterhead Academy Catchment Area Information
What is the catchment area for Waterhead Academy?
The catchment area for Waterhead Academy is the geographic zone Oldham 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. Oldham publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
As an academy, Waterhead Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Oldham. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.
The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Oldham before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.
Find Oldham catchment area documents →Waterhead Academy: 1500 places, 63% filled: places available
Waterhead Academy has a published admission number of 1500 places. 947 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 63%. At 63% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1500 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. 49.6% of pupils at Waterhead Academy 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 Oldham.
To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.
Oldham 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 Oldham school admissions →
Waterhead Academy: School Information
- Full address
- Huddersfield Road, Oldham, OL4 3NY
- Local authority
- Oldham
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase of education
- Secondary
- Age range
- 11-16 years
- Free school meals
- 49.6% of pupils
- DfE URN
- 144508
Other Secondary Schools in Oldham
If Waterhead Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Oldham are the next closest alternatives.
Oasis Academy Oldham Catchment Area
Academy sponsor led · OL8 4JZ
E-ACT the Oldham Academy North Catchment Area
Academy sponsor led · OL2 5BF
The Hathershaw College Catchment Area
Academy converter · OL8 3EP
The Blue Coat CofE School Catchment Area
Academy converter · OL1 3SQ
The Crompton House Church of England Academy Catchment Area
Academy converter · OL2 7HS
North Chadderton School Catchment Area
Academy converter · OL9 0BN
Nearest secondary schools by distance
These are the secondary schools closest to Waterhead Academy 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Waterhead Academy
What is the catchment area for Waterhead Academy? ▾
The catchment area for Waterhead Academy is the geographic zone Oldham 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. Oldham publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.
Is Waterhead Academy oversubscribed? ▾
Waterhead Academy has a capacity of 1500 places and currently has 947 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Oldham.
What is the admissions policy for Waterhead Academy? ▾
Admission to Waterhead Academy is managed by Oldham. 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 Waterhead Academy cover? ▾
Waterhead Academy is a secondary school in Oldham, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.