High School Admissions
Birchwood is an 8-form entry, mixed, non-selective 11-18 school.
Each year, we admit 240 boys and girls. A third of our intake have siblings at the school. Half are from families within our published priority area and the remaining are based on geographical distance from the school.
Entry into Year 7
Birchwood is a co-educational Academy with a roll of 1420 boys and girls. Our admission limit at Birchwood is currently 240 (8 Forms of Entry); this was increased five years ago to accommodate the increased number of applications we were receiving. As an Academy, Birchwood’s Admission Policy is as follows:
- Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan
- Children looked after (children in public care).
- Siblings: Children who, at the closing date for applications, have a brother or sister currently attending Birchwood High School in Years 7 – 11. Current Year 7 = 31% siblings.
- Members of staff: Birchwood employees providing they have been employed for a minimum of two years.
- Priority area: Children who, at the closing date for applications, live in the chosen urban priority area of Bishop’s Stortford, Thorley Parish and the area North West of Bishop’s Stortford namely; Albury, Berden, Birchanger, Brent Pelham, Farnham, Furneux Pelham, Little Hadham, Manuden, Much Hadham, Stocking Pelham, Takeley and The Hallingbury’s.
- Geographical distance: Should there be places unfilled after applying criteria 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 then places will be offered on the basis of shortest distance from their permanent residence to the School as determined by Hertfordshire County Council.
These rules can also be found in the LEA ‘Moving On’ Booklet. The LA’s on-line and paper application deadline is Tuesday 31 October 2023. You will receive written confirmation of your child’s place from the local authority on Friday 1 March 2024 via email or for those who applied on paper the confirmation will be posted first class on Friday 1 March 2024. You will need to confirm the place by Friday 15 March 2024.
If you wish to contact Hertfordshire Admissions Customer Care Centre, their phone number is 0300 123 4043. It is also possible to apply online: (www.hertsdirect.org/admissions). If you have any queries regarding Year 7 admissions at Birchwood please contact Mrs Hewlett on 01279 655936 or by email at jhewlett@birchwoodhigh.org.uk.
Once your child has obtained a place at Birchwood, we have a carefully orchestrated and highly commended induction programme to ensure that their transition to Year 7 works effectively.
Admissions Contact and Tours
If you wish to contact Hertfordshire Admissions Customer Care Centre, their phone number is 0300 123 4043. It is also possible to apply online: (www.hertsdirect.org/admissions). If you have any queries regarding Year 7 admissions at Birchwood please contact Mrs Hewlett on 01279 655936 or by email at jhewlett@birchwoodhigh.org.uk.
Birchwood offers primary school children and their parents an opportunity to visit the school, at any time during the year (under normal circumstances), via school tours which can be booked through the school reception. Our Open Days which also provide time for prospective Year 6 parents to look around the school take place following our Open Evening. You will be able to book a place on one of these days whilst visiting Birchwood during Open Evening.
Once your child has obtained a place at Birchwood, we have a carefully orchestrated and highly commended induction programme to ensure that their transition to Year 7 works effectively.
Entry into Years 8 to 11
If you want your child to attend Birchwood High School, please contact our admissions officer, Mrs Hewlett at jhewlett@birchwoodhigh.org.uk who can add you to our Continued Interest list or give you advice about the Appeals process. Birchwood is an Academy and is therefore its own admissions authority. We work in partnership with the Local Education Authority to ensure that places are allocated on a fair and accurate basis.
Visits to the school
If you wish to visit the school with your son/daughter with regards to a prospective place at the school, please contact Mrs J Hewlett, Admissions Officer.