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catchment.school

Whirley Primary School Catchment Area

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

Whirley Primary School is an academy converter primary school in Macclesfield, Cheshire East , serving pupils aged 4-11, with 213 pupils, and a capacity of 210 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

4-11

Age range

213

Pupils

210

Capacity

101%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2011

Whirley Primary School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Whirley Primary School?

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

As an academy, Whirley Primary School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Cheshire East. 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: 213 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 210 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 Cheshire East publishes the 2027 Whirley Primary School numbers →

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

Find Cheshire East catchment area documents →

Whirley Primary School: at or above its 210 place limit

Whirley Primary School has a published admission number of 210 places. 213 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 101%. The school is at or above its published limit of 210 places. Cheshire East 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. 5.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Macclesfield.

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

Cheshire East 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. Cheshire East Council school admissions (official) →

Whirley Primary School: School Information

Full address
Whirley Road, Broken Cross, Macclesfield, SK10 3JL
Local authority
Cheshire East
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Primary
Age range
4-11 years
Free school meals
5.2% of pupils
DfE URN
140598

Other Primary Schools in Macclesfield

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

Nearest primary schools by distance

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

What is the catchment area for Whirley Primary School?

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

Is Whirley Primary School oversubscribed?

Yes, Whirley Primary School currently has 213 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 210 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for Whirley Primary School?

Admission to Whirley Primary School is managed by Cheshire East. 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 Whirley Primary School cover?

Whirley Primary School is a primary school in Macclesfield, Cheshire East, serving pupils aged 4-11. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Whirley Primary School?

Whirley Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2011. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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