The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Bickerton Holy Trinity CofE Primary School occupies an enviable position on the edge of the Bickerton Hills, serving a rural community within the Cheshire East local authority. This small, mixed-gender primary school provides education for approximately 140 pupils aged 4 to 11. Despite its modest size and tranquil setting, the school is an academic powerhouse, with 2024 KS2 results placing it in the top 10% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking).
Under the leadership of Headteacher Mrs. Victoria Wood, who was appointed in September 2022, the school maintains a distinct family atmosphere where the Christian ethos is woven into daily life. The school currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted, following a graded inspection in May 2024 that highlighted the strong sense of community and the high expectations set for all pupils.
The physical environment of Bickerton Holy Trinity is a significant part of its appeal. The school is surrounded by rolling countryside, and staff make full use of this natural resource for outdoor learning and physical activity. At drop-off, the atmosphere is calm and welcoming, reflecting a school where every staff member knows every child, and older pupils are seen supporting their younger peers.
As a Church of England school, the religious character is central to its identity. The school motto, God's Children, Achieving Together, serves as the foundation for its values of respect, friendship, and perseverance. Daily collective worship often takes place in the nearby Holy Trinity Church, strengthening the link between the school and the parish. The 2023 Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) confirmed the effectiveness of the school's Christian vision in driving both social and academic flourishing.
The academic outcomes at Bickerton Holy Trinity are exceptional, particularly given the small cohort sizes. In 2024, 84% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, significantly outperforming the England average of 62%.
The school's performance in individual subjects is equally striking. In reading, 83% of pupils met the expected standard, but more impressively, 61% achieved the higher standard (greater depth), which is more than double the England average. Mathematics performance saw 83% meeting expectations, with 35% at the higher standard.
Ranked 404th in England (FindMySchool proprietary ranking) and 1st among schools in the Malpas area, Bickerton Holy Trinity sits in the elite tier of primary outcomes. These rankings place the school comfortably within the top 3% of all primaries in England, reflecting its status as a leading choice for academic achievement.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
84.33%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
The curriculum is designed to be ambitious while remaining rooted in the school's rural context. Teaching is delivered in small classes, allowing for a level of individual attention that is difficult to replicate in larger urban settings. The school places a heavy emphasis on the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy, as evidenced by the high scores in Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling (GPS), where 87% of pupils met the expected standard and 65% achieved a high score.
Beyond core subjects, the school integrates Forest School sessions into the weekly timetable, utilizing the local woodland to develop pupils' resilience and problem-solving skills. Science is another area of strength, with 83% of pupils meeting the expected standard, just above the England average of 82%. The school utilizes its rural surroundings for practical science experiments, from local habitat studies to environmental conservation projects.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Transition to secondary education is handled with care, with the majority of pupils moving on to Bishop Heber High School in Malpas, which is highly regarded locally. The school maintains strong links with Bishop Heber, ensuring a smooth hand-over for pupils, particularly those with additional needs.
A smaller number of pupils annually secure places at local grammar schools or independent senior schools, such as The King's School or The Queen's School in Chester. The school supports these transitions through familiarisation with entrance requirements, though its primary focus remains the broad National Curriculum.
Securing a place at Bickerton Holy Trinity can be challenging due to its popularity and limited capacity. In the 2024 entry cycle, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 24 applications for just 7 available offers. This results in 3.43 applications per place, meaning there were more than three applications for every place.
Admissions are coordinated by Cheshire East Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and those living within the designated catchment area. Because the school is a Voluntary Controlled school, its admissions policy also accounts for its religious character, though it serves the whole local community regardless of faith. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise location relative to the school’s priority area.
Applications
24
Total received
Places Offered
7
Subscription Rate
3.4x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the Bickerton experience. The school operates as a close-knit community where student wellbeing is monitored daily by class teachers. The latest inspection findings noted that pupils feel safe and valued, with behaviour being exemplary across all year groups.
For pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the school provides tailored support plans. While the school does not have a dedicated SEN unit, its small size allows the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCO), currently Mr. Daniel Carlile, to work closely with families and external agencies to ensure that every child can access the full curriculum.
Despite its small size, the school offers a vibrant range of extracurricular activities. Music is a particular pillar, with many pupils learning instruments and the school choir performing at local community events and festivals.
Sporting opportunities are enhanced by the school's outdoor facilities and its participation in the Sandstone School Sports Partnership. Pupils regularly compete in cross-country, football, and netball fixtures against other rural schools. The school also offers a variety of clubs, including:
Where pupils lead on sustainability projects and manage the school’s vegetable garden.
A club dedicated to local history and environmental conservation.
Utilizing modern hardware to develop digital literacy from an early age.
The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Wraparound care is available on-site; the breakfast club starts at 7:45am, and the after-school club provides supervised activities until 5:30pm.
The school is located on Long Lane in Bickerton, Malpas. Given its rural location, most pupils arrive by car or via the local authority school bus service. There is no dedicated railway station within walking distance, making road access the primary route for families. Parking is available near the school, though it can become congested during drop-off and pick-up times.
Bickerton Holy Trinity CofE Primary School is a state-funded, voluntary controlled school. As such, there are no tuition fees for attendance. Financial support for families, such as help with the cost of school trips or uniforms, is available through the Pupil Premium grant for eligible children. Parents can contact the school office for confidential guidance on eligibility and application processes for financial assistance.
Bickerton Holy Trinity CofE Primary School is an exceptional rural school that manages to combine a warm, faith-based atmosphere with academic results that are among the best in England. It successfully bridges the gap between traditional values and modern curriculum demands. Best suited to families who want a small, community-focused education where their child will be known individually and challenged academically. The primary hurdle remains the high demand for the very limited number of places available each year.
Yes, it is widely considered an excellent school. It currently holds a Good rating from Ofsted (last inspected May 2024) and its academic results place it in the top 3% of primary schools in England. It is also ranked as the number one primary school in the Malpas area for academic outcomes.
The results are well above the England average. In 2024, 84% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the England average of 62%. Notably, 61% of pupils achieved the higher standard in reading, which is significantly above the national benchmark.
Applications must be made through the Cheshire East Council admissions portal. The deadline for Reception applications for September 2026 entry is 15 January 2026. Because the school is frequently oversubscribed, it is essential to check the admission criteria and verify your distance from the school.
Yes, the school provides wraparound care. The breakfast club starts at 7:45am, and the after-school club runs until 5:30pm, providing a range of supervised activities and snacks for pupils.
The most common destination is Bishop Heber High School in Malpas. Some pupils also transition to local grammar or independent schools in Chester, depending on their performance in entrance examinations.
Get in touch with the school directly
Disclaimer
Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
Our rankings, metrics, and assessments are derived from this data using our own methodologies and represent our independent analysis rather than official standings.
While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee that all information is current, complete, or error-free. Data may change without notice, and schools and/or local authorities should be contacted directly to verify any details before making decisions.
FindMySchool does not endorse any particular school, and rankings reflect specific metrics rather than overall quality.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on information provided. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us.