Birches First School
Birches Avenue, Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 2JGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Birches First School is a primary school in Wolverhampton for ages 3 to 9. It is one of the 451 schools in Staffordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 November 2023, report published 21 January 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 November 2023
This school does many things well. Academic standards are high, good behaviour is the norm and lessons are full of interesting things to do. Beyond lessons, there are clubs, trips and extra activities that support learning and pupils' broader development. All of this means that pupils like school and find joy in learning. Indeed, pupils of all ages are quick to recall the school's motto of 'believe, grow succeed…to be the best me I can be'. They can explain what it means and how it captures the school's high expectations. In class and on the playground, pupils are kind to one another. The school's rules are fair and support pupils to stay safe and respect others. Bullying is not accepted, and the school has systems for dealing with it should it happen. If any pupils are upset or worried, then staff always make time for them. There is also a suggestions box where pupils can submit their ideas to the pupil-led school council. Informed, hard-working leadership and caring teamwork have created a positive school culture. Leaders and staff make sure pupils feel valued and support them to succeed in many different areas of school life.
What the school should improve
- Routines for checking on what pupils know and remember work better in some subjects than others. This means assessment in some foundation subjects is not as informed as it could be. The school should continue to develop assessment in foundation subjects so that it is manageable, efficient, helps to embed pupils' learning and prepares them for what comes next.
- Pupils' presentation of written work is mixed. In part, this is the result of the disruption to education caused by the pandemic. However, there are other factors at play, including some variance in expectations for handwriting. This affects pupils' progress. The school should ensure that pupils are taught good writing habits from the start and get enough consistent practice.
Pupil numbers and mix
175 pupils on roll, with places for 150
Schools near Birches First School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Christopher's Catholic Primary Academy | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 67% met the expected standard |
| Palmers Cross Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 55% met the expected standard |
| Bilbrook CofE (VC) Middle School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| Lane Green First School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Not published |
| Codsall Middle School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- CODSALL MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Sabrina Varricchione
- Phone
- 01902297910
- Address
- Birches Avenue, Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 2JG
- Local authority
- Staffordshire
- URN
- 144935
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.