Birchwood is a co-educational Academy with a roll of 1424 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:
- 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 = 32% 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 and 4 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 Sunday 31 October 2021. You will receive written confirmation of your child’s place from the local authority on Tuesday 1 March 2022 via email or, in the post, on Wednesday 2 March 2022 and you will need to confirm the place by Tuesday 15 March 2022.
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 Hood on 01279 756375 or by email at shood@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.
your dreams, your future, our challenge