Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Bradford

Ofsted's report card from its 14 April 2026 inspection grades Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have established very clear and effective routines and expectations across the school, including in the early years."

Achievement - Expected standard. "The school is ambitious for all pupils."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "There is a well-sequenced curriculum in place across subjects."

Early years - Expected standard. "Routines in the early years are well established."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school has a culture of inclusion."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are knowledgeable and demonstrate high levels of professionalism."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's offer for pastoral support is a strength."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to develop their strategic oversight of support, including interventions, for pupils with barriers to their learning so that they can successfully review the impact of this work and make more timely adjustments when needed"; "Leaders should further refine quality assurance across all aspects of the school's work so that they can act rapidly to bring about any necessary improvements".

In its own words: "The Christian value of caring underpins all that we do at Birkenshaw CE (C) Primary School. All people involved within our school community feel cared for, while, at the same time, being caring themselves. At Birkenshaw CE (C) Primary School we teach, offer and accept care."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 87% of Year 6 pupils at Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 89% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Kirklees and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 83% in reading and 82% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 70 families put Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 137 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 10 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are East Bierley Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, 84% reading, 90% maths); Drighlington Primary School (1.2 miles, Requires improvement, 71% reading, 71% maths); Ryecroft Primary Academy (1.4 miles, Good, 70% reading, 65% maths); and St John's CofE Primary School (1.5 miles, Outstanding, 83% reading, 84% maths).

Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

5.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (92%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 78 pupils (17.1%) received SEN support and 7 (1.5%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Low Moor Rail Station, about 2.6 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Brown Hill Drive, 330 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 66 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kirklees (153).

Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Birkenshaw Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Tong Leadership Academy (0.6 miles) and BBG Academy (0.7 miles).