Birchwood Community High School
Warrington, WA3 7PT · Warrington · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th of 13 secondary schools in Warrington we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.9/10 against 490 of them, against 3.8/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 43.9 · 47 | 46% | 2.17 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.37 · 23 | 38% | 0.87 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.7 · 48 | 15% | 0.74 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Birchwood Community High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.37 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar starters. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Maths, IT, Seasonal Science, Engineering, Nature, Gothic, Pride, and Origami clubs. Arts provision includes a Pop Choir, school show rehearsals, Ukulele Unison, and peripatetic instrumental tuition. Trips have included Iceland, Poland, New York, Italy, and Switzerland. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 875 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Birchwood Community High School
Overview
Birchwood Community High School is described as having a "strong sense of community spirit" where pupils are "happy and proud to attend." The report highlights that leaders have been "resolute in their mission" to support pupils through recent tragedies, fostering an environment where "difference is celebrated" and well-being is prioritised.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from "strong, caring relationships with staff" and learn strategies for managing emotions and mental health.
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with teachers effectively helping pupils "connect new ideas with prior knowledge."
- Staff are "particularly adept at supporting pupils with SEND," facilitated by high-quality training and early identification of needs.
- Behaviour is "calm" and learning is "rarely disrupted," supported by a character development programme.
- The school offers a "comprehensive careers programme" and opportunities for pupils to develop interests through clubs and skills like sign language.
Areas to improve
- In a minority of subjects, the school has not "defined clearly what pupils need to know," limiting how well pupils build knowledge over time.
- Attendance rates, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, remain low; the school must "strengthen its systems for improving rates of attendance."
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.9 |
| 2024/25 | 47.9 |
| 2025/26 | 45.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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