Birchwood High School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Looked after child — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order.
2. 2Siblings — Children who, at the closing date for applications, have a brother or sister currently attending Birchwood High School in years 7 – 11. They also need to live at the same permanent address from Monday to Friday and to have joined the school during years 7 – 11.
3. 3Staff — Priority is given to the children of Birchwood employees provided that they have been employed for a minimum of two years and/or are recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage. All students also need to live at the same permanent address as the member of staff from Monday to Friday.
4. 4Priority Area — Children who, at the closing date for applications, live in the Priority Area Electoral Wards 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 Hallingburys.
5. 5Geographical distance — Should there be places unfilled after applying criteria 1, 2, 3 and 4 the places will be offered on the basis of shortest straight-line distance from their permanent residence to the school as determined by Hertfordshire County Council, with those who are closer being accorded a higher priority.

If two applications tie: In the event of a tie for the last place in any of these criteria, a tiebreak will be made on the basis of shortest distance from their permanent residence to the school as determined by Hertfordshire County Council, with those who are closer being accorded a higher priority. If the distance criterion is not sufficient to distinguish between two or more applicants for the last remaining place, then random allocation will be used.

Document states 'the following 6 criteria' but only 5 are numbered/described in the main list (Looked after child, Siblings, Staff, Priority Area, Geographical distance); EHCP is separately noted as admitted before oversubscription criteria apply. Document also contains separate Sixth Form admission arrangements (PAN 100 for external applicants, criteria: Children Looked After, then nearest distance), which are a distinct process for Year 12 entry, not included here as this school entry covers Year 7 entry per the applies_to field.

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.