SchoolScoresBirch Copse Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed
Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5LN
0118 942 7442 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 9 July 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
171 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Reading (West Berkshire) comparisons use the 13 of its 28 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 15 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Reading (West Berkshire) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 1st highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 95% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 76% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 88% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 99% | 90% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 35 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 55% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 108 parents who had raised a concern Joint 4th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 86% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 86% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 77% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97%said yes | 91% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Reading (West Berkshire) figures pool parents at the Reading (West Berkshire) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
60 pupils in this year group.
72% — 15 points above the West Berkshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 72% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 20% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 83% | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 87% | 67% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 82% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Berkshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 60 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 99 |
| Of those, offered a place | 56 (57%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 181 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.6
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | West Berkshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 22nd highest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.7% | 16.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 24th highest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 26% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.9% | 3.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 28th highest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 4% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.0% | 15.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 14th highest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 49% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.4% | 13.7%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Lower than 94% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Lower than 93% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 11.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Lower than 57% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7 | 3.4 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Lower than 66% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 56% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.1 | 19.8 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 11th highest of 28 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 48% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.6 | 9.8 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 17th highest of 25 state primary schools in Reading (West Berkshire). Higher than 32% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 8.0% | 17.5%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- St Paul's Catholic Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Park Lane Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Springfield Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Moorlands Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Downsway Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Calcot Infant School and Nursery 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Calcot Junior School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 51% met expected standard (KS2)
- Meadow Park Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Churchend Primary Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Westwood Farm Junior School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Birch Copse Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Birch Copse Primary School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 July 2024.
How did Birch Copse Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 72% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 10 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Birch Copse Primary School?
97% of the 171 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Birch Copse Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Birch Copse Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 99 families put Birch Copse Primary School as their first choice for 60 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 56 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 109844.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.