Birchanger Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Bishop's Stortford, CM23 5QL · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
354th of 391 primary schools in Essex we can score, 444 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,169 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0/10 among them, against 3.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 64.0 · 49 | 40% | 1.97 |
| Ofsted | 10 | 35% | 0.34 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Birchanger Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 64.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, matching the national median of 64%. However, 0.0% reached the higher standard, compared to the national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0 out of 10 among them, against 3.4 out of 10 nationally. The school was inspected in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 93 pupils against a stated capacity of 117. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to progress from the expected standard to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific areas did the April 2026 inspection highlight for development? How does the school manage class sizes to ensure individual attention for each child?
What Ofsted said about Birchanger Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders and staff have created a "warm, friendly and positive" environment, with pupils feeling "known, valued and supported." Most pupils achieve in line with national expectations, particularly in reading, where outcomes have "improved considerably" since 2023. While the school meets the expected standard across all inspected areas, leaders are actively working to address inconsistencies in wider subjects and early years practice.
Strengths
- Pupils develop "fluency and accuracy in word reading and spelling," becoming "proficient readers" through a securely embedded phonics programme.
- Behaviour is "typically calm, orderly and respectful," underpinned by high expectations and the school’s '4Bs' framework, with bullying being "rare."
- The school is "inclusive and committed to meeting the needs of all pupils," with timely support ensuring those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "progress well."
- Leaders have established a "broad and designed well" curriculum, with a school-wide focus on vocabulary helping pupils "express ideas with precision."
- Parents describe the school as fostering a "happy and welcoming atmosphere," and pupils benefit from effective pastoral care and enrichment opportunities.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teachers consistently provide activities that enable pupils to "think more deeply" and produce high-quality work across all subjects, particularly in history and geography.
- Staff in the early years must consistently "model language and engage children in high-quality talk" to support communication skills.
- Leaders should continue improving "open communication" with parents and carers regarding pupils’ learning and behaviour.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 63% |
| 2023/24 | 29% |
| 2024/25 | 64% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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