How many pupils attend Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has 124 pupils on roll.

What ages does Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School take?

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School admits pupils aged 5 to 11.

How do I apply to Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.

Does Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School have a religious character?

Yes — Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How are Reception places decided at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?

When Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has more applications than places for 2026-27, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — “Looked after” Children (LAC) Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children Previously Looked after from outside England. A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order will be given first priority; 2. Home address in named parishes — Children whose home address is in the parishes of Birch, Great & Little Wigborough, Layer Marney, Layer Breton and Salcott-cum-Virley; 3. Siblings — Children who have a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household and address, who attends the school in any year group excluding the final year, and 4 further criteria. The school offers 20 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In each individual oversubscription criterion, priority will be determined by distance, calculated by the Local Authority by use of a Geographical Information System which accurately measures the distance from the home address to the school.

What is the largest ethnic background at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 87.9% of pupils at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

How far did offers reach?

3.433miles

was the furthest place offered for 2026-27 (Reception). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, year by year →

How places are decided at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — “Looked after” Children (LAC) Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children Previously Looked after from outside England. A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order will be given first priority.
2Home address in named parishes — Children whose home address is in the parishes of Birch, Great & Little Wigborough, Layer Marney, Layer Breton and Salcott-cum-Virley.
3Siblings — Children who have a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household and address, who attends the school in any year group excluding the final year.
4Involvement in Christian Church life — Children whose parents are involved in the life of the Christian Church, of any denomination, for whom this is the nearest Church School. (References may be made to their own priest or minister). Parent should submit a Supplementary Information Form directly to the school to support their application. Involved means attending worship on a minimum of 8 occasions annually for at least two years prior to the application.
5Other faith wishing Christian education — Children whose parents, although worshipping in another faith, wish them to attend a Christian school because of its specifically religious emphasis. Parent should submit a Supplementary Information Form directly to the school to support their application.
6Medical, pastoral or social reasons — Children who have medical, pastoral, or social reasons for attending this school, which can be supported by professional evidence. An applying parent would be required to submit a ‘Supplementary Information form’ for such an application.
7Distance — All other applications will be ranked on straight line distance from the school based on the distances listed on the information provided by Essex County Admissions team ranking list.

If two applications tie: In each individual oversubscription criterion, priority will be determined by distance, calculated by the Local Authority by use of a Geographical Information System which accurately measures the distance from the home address to the school.

Children whose Education, Health and Care Plan names the school must be admitted (not numbered as a criterion, per legal requirement).

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's ungraded inspection to be?: Ofsted judged Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's ungraded inspection as Standards maintained at its inspection in December 2019 (no grade issued), on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has 124 pupils on roll.
What ages does Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School take?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School admits pupils aged 5 to 11.
Where is Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School located?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is located in Colchester, CO2 0LZ, Essex.
How do I apply to Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School have a religious character?: Yes — Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How far from Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School were places offered?: The furthest place offered at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School for 2026-27 (Reception) was 3.433 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Reception places decided at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: When Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has more applications than places for 2026-27, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — “Looked after” Children (LAC) Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children Previously Looked after from outside England. A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order will be given first priority; 2. Home address in named parishes — Children whose home address is in the parishes of Birch, Great & Little Wigborough, Layer Marney, Layer Breton and Salcott-cum-Virley; 3. Siblings — Children who have a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household and address, who attends the school in any year group excluding the final year, and 4 further criteria. The school offers 20 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In each individual oversubscription criterion, priority will be determined by distance, calculated by the Local Authority by use of a Geographical Information System which accurately measures the distance from the home address to the school.
What is the largest ethnic background at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 87.9% of pupils at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Caterpillars Pre-School

Nursery

Outstanding

Where children go next

Pupils here are given admissions priority at these schools.

The Stanway School

Secondary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Nearby schools within 5 km

How far did offers reach?

3.433miles

was the furthest place offered for 2026-27 (Reception). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, year by year →

How places are decided at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after and previously looked after children — “Looked after” Children (LAC) Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children Previously Looked after from outside England. A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order will be given first priority.
2Home address in named parishes — Children whose home address is in the parishes of Birch, Great & Little Wigborough, Layer Marney, Layer Breton and Salcott-cum-Virley.
3Siblings — Children who have a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household and address, who attends the school in any year group excluding the final year.
4Involvement in Christian Church life — Children whose parents are involved in the life of the Christian Church, of any denomination, for whom this is the nearest Church School. (References may be made to their own priest or minister). Parent should submit a Supplementary Information Form directly to the school to support their application. Involved means attending worship on a minimum of 8 occasions annually for at least two years prior to the application.
5Other faith wishing Christian education — Children whose parents, although worshipping in another faith, wish them to attend a Christian school because of its specifically religious emphasis. Parent should submit a Supplementary Information Form directly to the school to support their application.
6Medical, pastoral or social reasons — Children who have medical, pastoral, or social reasons for attending this school, which can be supported by professional evidence. An applying parent would be required to submit a ‘Supplementary Information form’ for such an application.
7Distance — All other applications will be ranked on straight line distance from the school based on the distances listed on the information provided by Essex County Admissions team ranking list.

Children whose Education, Health and Care Plan names the school must be admitted (not numbered as a criterion, per legal requirement).

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's ungraded inspection to be?: Ofsted judged Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's ungraded inspection as Standards maintained at its inspection in December 2019 (no grade issued), on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has 124 pupils on roll.
What ages does Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School take?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School admits pupils aged 5 to 11.
Where is Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School located?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is located in Colchester, CO2 0LZ, Essex.
How do I apply to Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.
Does Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School have a religious character?: Yes — Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.
How far from Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School were places offered?: The furthest place offered at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School for 2026-27 (Reception) was 3.433 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Reception places decided at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: When Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has more applications than places for 2026-27, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after and previously looked after children — “Looked after” Children (LAC) Previously Looked After Children (PLAC) and Children Previously Looked after from outside England. A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order will be given first priority; 2. Home address in named parishes — Children whose home address is in the parishes of Birch, Great & Little Wigborough, Layer Marney, Layer Breton and Salcott-cum-Virley; 3. Siblings — Children who have a brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household and address, who attends the school in any year group excluding the final year, and 4 further criteria. The school offers 20 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In each individual oversubscription criterion, priority will be determined by distance, calculated by the Local Authority by use of a Geographical Information System which accurately measures the distance from the home address to the school.
What is the largest ethnic background at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 87.9% of pupils at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Caterpillars Pre-School

Nursery

Outstanding

Where children go next

Pupils here are given admissions priority at these schools.

The Stanway School

Secondary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Where children go next

Nearby schools within 5 km

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Birch Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Where children go next

Nearby schools within 5 km