Birchwood High School
97%
Capacity
1,454
Pupils
3.3x
Demand
About Birchwood High School
Birchwood High School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the East Hertfordshire community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,454 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (97% of 1,500 places).
Ofsted has rated Birchwood High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Sam Griffin, it falls under Hertfordshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.08 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 48.1. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1734th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 9th out of 10 in East Hertfordshire.
Birchwood High School is a popular choice with families — it received 701 applications for 211 places, making it 3.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 123 were first-preference applications.
Birchwood High School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 76% recommending the school (275 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Birchwood High School include Swimming Pool, ICT Suite, Astro Turf, Art Studios, Sixth Form Centre, Playing Fields.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Badminton, Rugby, Football, Martial Arts and 5 more, as well as clubs including Film Club, DofE, Debate, Art Club and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.7%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in East Hertfordshire, Birchwood High School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Parsonage Lane, Bishop's Stortford, East Hertfordshire, CM23 5BD |
| Headteacher | Sam Griffin |
| Local Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 1,454 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.7% |
| School Capacity | 1,454 / 1,500 (97% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Jan 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 20 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.08)
1734th of 3,141
Nationally
198th of 350
In East of England
9th of 10
In East Hertfordshire
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
33.9
'22/23
32.2
'23/24
32.1
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
275 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed211
701
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
123 families put this school as their 1st choice (18% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Birchwood High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Parsonage Lane, Bishop's Stortford
East Hertfordshire, CM23 5BD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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