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catchment.school

Westbourne Academy Catchment Area

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

Westbourne Academy is an academy converter secondary school in Ipswich, Suffolk , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1038 pupils, and a capacity of 1120 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-16

Age range

1,038

Pupils

1,120

Capacity

93%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

Westbourne Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Westbourne Academy?

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

As an academy, Westbourne Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Suffolk. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 93% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Westbourne Academy goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Suffolk catchment area documents →

Westbourne Academy: 1120 places, 93% filled: nearing capacity

Westbourne Academy has a published admission number of 1120 places. 1038 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 93%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1120, Suffolk's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 38.7% of pupils at Westbourne Academy are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Suffolk.

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

Suffolk 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. Suffolk Council school admissions (official) →

Westbourne Academy: School Information

Full address
Marlow Road, Ipswich, IP1 5JN
Local authority
Suffolk
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
38.7% of pupils
DfE URN
139288

Other Secondary Schools in Ipswich

If Westbourne Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Ipswich are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Westbourne 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.

Frequently Asked Questions: Westbourne Academy

What is the catchment area for Westbourne Academy?

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

Is Westbourne Academy oversubscribed?

Westbourne Academy is operating close to its capacity of 1120 places (93% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Westbourne Academy?

Admission to Westbourne Academy is managed by Suffolk. 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 Westbourne Academy cover?

Westbourne Academy is a secondary school in Ipswich, Suffolk, 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 Westbourne Academy?

Westbourne Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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