Birches First School
| Type | Primary / Academy converter |
| Age Range | 3-9 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | Birches Avenue Codsall Wolverhampton West Midlands WV8 2JG |
| Reference Number | 144935 |
Birches First School is exhibiting good overall performance across various domains including education quality, behaviour, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The headteacher, Sabrina Varricchione, along with an informed leadership team, fosters a positive school culture characterized by high academic standards and engaging lessons. Students enjoy school and feel supported, with a strong emphasis on learning, self-care, and community involvement. Furthermore, the school is part of the Codsall Multi-Academy Trust, and this collaborative structure aids in maintaining a well-rounded educational experience for its students.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 180 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 45%
Girls: 55% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 5.6% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 2.8% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 30 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 28.7 |
| Average size of Key Stage 2 classes taught by one teacher | 31 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 10 | 28 |
| 2 | 11 | 17 | 28 |
| 3 | 11 | 19 | 30 |
| 4 | 17 | 15 | 32 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 75% |
| Indian | 7.2% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 5.6% |
| White & Asian | 5.6% |
| White, Other | 2.8% |
| Pakistani | 1.1% |
| Asian, Other | 1.1% |
| Chinese | 0.6% |
| Mixed, Other | 0.6% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| > Quality of education | Good |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Good |
| > Early Years Provision | Good |
| Last Report Date | 28 Nov 2023 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 28 Nov 2023 | School inspection: |
| 04 Jan 2018 | Academy conversion letter |
| 28 Feb 2012 | Full inspection: |
| Previously as Birches First School | |
| 28 Feb 2012 | Full inspection: |
| 30 Jun 2010 | Interim assessment |
| 30 Jun 2010 | Interim assessment |
| 23 May 2007 | Full inspection: |
| 23 May 2007 | Full inspection: |
| 11 Mar 2002 | Full inspection |
| 11 Mar 2002 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- High academic standards across the curriculum.
- Strong phonics and mathematics instruction.
- Supportive partnership with parents and carers.
- Positive behaviour and kindness among pupils.
- Effective safeguarding arrangements.
- Broad and ambitious curriculum with a healthy reading culture.
- Good support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Areas for Improvement
- Assessment practices are still developing in some foundation subjects.
- Inconsistent presentation of written work impacting progress.
2025 Admissions
| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 52 | 1 |
| Third Preference | 18 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 37 | 3 |
Previous Years
Sample
Unlock| Name | Distance |
|
St Christopher's Catholic Primary Academy
Wolverhampton Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV8 1PF |
0.56 miles |
|
Palmers Cross Primary School
Windermere Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 9DF |
0.61 miles |
|
Lane Green First School
Bilbrook Road, Bilbrook, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV8 1EU |
0.68 miles |
|
Bilbrook CofE (VC) Middle School
Bilbrook Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV8 1EU |
0.68 miles |
|
Codsall Middle School
Wolverhampton Road, Codsall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV8 1PB |
0.73 miles |
|
Dovecotes Primary School
Ryefield, Dovecotes Estate, Pendeford, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV8 1TX |
0.95 miles |
|
St Nicholas Church of England First School
Belvide Gardens, Chillington Drive, Codsall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV8 1AN |
1.2 miles |
|
School of Coding AEP Limited
Unit 8 Newton Court, Pendeford Business Park, Wolverhampton, WV9 5HB |
1.26 miles |
|
Claregate Primary School
Chester Avenue, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 9JU |
1.27 miles |
|
St Paul's Church of England Aided Primary School
Emsworth Crescent, Pendeford, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV9 5NR |
1.43 miles |
|
Woodthorne Primary School
Woodthorne Road South, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 8XL |
1.55 miles |
|
Perton Middle School
Gainsborough Drive, Perton, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7NR |
1.58 miles |
|
St Michael's CofE Primary Academy
Lower Street, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 9AF |
1.58 miles |
|
SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary Academy & Nursery
Hordern Close, Hordern Road, Newbridge, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 0HR |
1.69 miles |
|
Rakegate Primary School
Rakegate Close, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 6US |
1.7 miles |
|
Christ Church (Church of England) Junior School
Woodcote Road, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 8LG |
1.72 miles |
|
Perton Primary Academy
Sandown Drive, Perton, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 7PS |
1.81 miles |
|
Perton First School
Manston Drive, Perton, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV6 7LX |
1.81 miles |
|
Newbridge Preparatory School
51 Newbridge Crescent, Wolverhampton, WV6 0LH |
1.88 miles |
|
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Coleman Street, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 0RH |
1.97 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Codsall Community High School
Elliotts Lane, Codsall, Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, WV8 1PQ |
0.62 miles |
|
Aldersley High School
Barnhurst Lane, Codsall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV8 1RT |
0.66 miles |
|
St Regis Church of England Academy
Regis Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 8XG |
1.45 miles |
|
Tettenhall Wood School
Regis Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 8XF |
1.45 miles |
|
Tettenhall College Incorporated
Wood Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8QX |
1.65 miles |
|
Ormiston NEW Academy
Marsh Lane, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 6SE |
1.74 miles |
|
Pine Green Academy
Valley Park Campus, Cromer Gardens, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 0UB |
1.93 miles |
|
St Edmund's Catholic Academy
Compton Park, Compton Road West, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV3 9DU |
2.09 miles |
|
Wolverhampton Girls' High School
Tettenhall Road, Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 0BY |
2.15 miles |
|
St Peter's Collegiate Academy
Compton Park, Compton Road West, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV3 9DU |
2.28 miles |
|
Aurora Cedars School
39 Compton Road West, Compton, 39 Compton Road West, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV3 9DW |
2.31 miles |
|
Wightwick Hall School
Tinacre Hill, Compton, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV6 8DA |
2.59 miles |
|
Wolverhampton Grammar School
Compton Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9RB |
2.6 miles |
|
Smestow Academy
Windmill Crescent, Wolverhampton, WV3 8HU |
2.63 miles |
|
Bushbury School
Hellier Road, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, WV10 8ED |
2.73 miles |
|
Woodbury School
Hellier Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 8ED |
2.74 miles |
|
Park Lodge School
Park Lodge, 26 Park Avenue, Wolverhampton, WV1 4AH |
2.76 miles |
|
Our Lady and St Chad Catholic Academy
Old Fallings Lane, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 8BL |
2.99 miles |
|
Moreton School
Old Fallings Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 8BY |
3.01 miles |
|
Thomas Telford University Technical College
Springfield Campus, Cambridge Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 0JR |
3.08 miles |