Much Birch CofE Primary School
Much Birch, Hereford, HR2 8HLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Much Birch CofE Primary School is a primary school in Hereford for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 112 schools in Herefordshire. It ranks 20th of 37 primary schools in Hereford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 30 April 2024, report published 9 June 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 30 April 2024
Much Birch is a kind and caring school where parents, pupils and staff celebrate feeling part of a family. Pupils feel safe because of the warm relationships they develop with staff who help them when they find things difficult. Pupils welcome visitors to their school, wearing smiles on their faces and an openness to share the many positive experiences they have. They recognise the importance of being inclusive and know that their school is a nice place to belong because everybody is accepted and noticed. There are many wider opportunities that pupils get to develop their talents and interests. Many enjoy learning craft in the forest school, while others speak effusively about being pupil leaders by representing the school council or acting as buddies to those in younger classes. A focus on the development of pupils' character has supported them to understand the meaning of the term 'moral compass'. Many pupils seek to do the right things for the right reasons, showing perseverance and humility while doing so.
What the school should improve
- Not all pupils are supported to deepen their understanding in mathematics. They are not routinely given the opportunity to apply the facts and calculation methods they learn to problem solving and this impacts on the depth of their understanding. The school should ensure that there are regular opportunities for all pupils to develop their reasoning skills in mathematics.
- In a few subjects, learning sequences are not coherently planned and are not monitored effectively. As a result, pupils' learning is often disconnected and does not build on prior learning. The school should ensure that there are coherent learning sequences so that learning builds progressively on what pupils know and their impact is monitored.
- In some subjects, staff are unfamiliar with the knowledge required to deliver the disciplinary elements of the curriculum. As a result, learning can be driven by activity rather than the subject-specific knowledge staff intend pupils to acquire. The school should ensure that all staff know how to deliver learning sequences as intended.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
25 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
176 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Much Birch CofE Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Dewchurch CofE Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 89% met the expected standard |
| King's Caple Primary Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
| St Weonard's Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
| Marlbrook Primary School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Our Lady's RC Primary School | 5 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 60% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Bernadette Davies
- Phone
- 01981540254
- Address
- Much Birch, Hereford, HR2 8HL
- Local authority
- Herefordshire
- URN
- 116833
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.