School workforce census, 2025/26.
No. Distance only counts when E-Act Merchants' Academy has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
E-Act Merchants' Academy had 1,070 pupils aged 3 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,410. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.