Birch Copse Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Outstanding

Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5LNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Birch Copse Primary School is a primary school in Reading for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 98 schools in West Berkshire. It ranks 6th of 81 primary schools in Reading. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 9 July 2024, report published 10 September 2024

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 July 2024

Pupils are proud to be a part of their inclusive and ambitious school community. They embody the school's values consistently by being kind, respectful and polite. They meet the high expectations set for them through trying their best, challenging themselves and persevering. Pupils share the school's ambitions for what they can achieve. From Reception onwards, pupils grow to become highly motivated, confident and independent learners. Beyond this, they become highly valued members of their community. Across the school, pupils speak about the importance of showing support and encouragement to each other. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve highly across the curriculum. Published outcomes from the end of key stage tests in 2023 show that pupils attain above national averages. This is reflected in the high-quality work that pupils complete in school in these subjects and across the wider curriculum. Pupils talk about their learning with interest and make links between the knowledge they gain easily. Pupils benefit from an exceptionally wide range of character-building opportunities. This offer is diverse, including 'Glee', drama, gymnastics, gardening, art and various sports clubs. Beyond this, as school and eco-councillors, subject ambassadors, 'Birch Copse Buddies' or mini-masters, pupils learn how to harness their talents and skills to contribute to school life.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths72%

72%, 10 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths20%

20%, 12 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

420 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals6.9%

6.9%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language9.8%

9.8%, 11.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support7.6%

7.6%, 7.2 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.9%

2.9%, 3.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Birch Copse Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Paul's Catholic Primary School0.3 milesOfsted: Good77% met the expected standard
Park Lane Primary School0.3 milesOfsted: Good68% met the expected standard
Springfield Primary School0.3 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard69% met the expected standard
Moorlands Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good77% met the expected standard
Downsway Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good61% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr P Massey
Address
Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5LN
Local authority
West Berkshire
URN
109844

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.