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Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls Catchment Area

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

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls is a free s secondary school in Thamesmead, Greenwich , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1183 pupils, and a capacity of 1200 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-16

Age range

1,183

Pupils

1,200

Capacity

99%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2023

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls?

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

Secondary school places at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls are allocated by Greenwich using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.

Operating near capacity: 99% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

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

Find Greenwich catchment area documents →

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls: 1200 places, 99% filled: nearing capacity

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls has a published admission number of 1200 places. 1183 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 99%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1200, Greenwich'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. 38.4% of pupils at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Greenwich.

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

Greenwich 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 Greenwich school admissions →

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls: School Information

Full address
1 Birchdene Drive, Thamesmead, SE28 8RF
Local authority
Greenwich
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Gender
Girls
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
38.4% of pupils
DfE URN
143686

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls 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: Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls

What is the catchment area for Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls?

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

Is Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls oversubscribed?

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls is operating close to its capacity of 1200 places (99% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls?

Admission to Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls is managed by Greenwich. 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 Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls cover?

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls is a secondary school in Thamesmead, Greenwich, 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 Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls?

Woolwich Polytechnic School for Girls was rated Good by Ofsted in 2023. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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