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OpenSecondaryOfsted: OutstandingURN 136776

Saffron Walden County High School

Academy converter · Saffron Walden · CB11 4UH

Ages 11–18 · 2,157 pupils · Essex

School website

Ofsted

Outstanding

Attainment 8

56.7

Overall absence

7.2%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Outstanding

Inspection date

2024-03-26

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.28
−20+2
Attainment 856.7
English & maths grade 5+63%
English & maths grade 4+82%
EBacc entry75%

EBacc APS: 5.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)18.8%
Unauthorised1.8%
Authorised absence
5.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.5%
Enrolments in measure
1,521

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill105%

2,157 pupils · 2,050 places

Pupils on roll
2,157
Boys / girls
1,042 / 1,115
School capacity
2,050
Capacity fill
2,157 / 2,050 (105%)
Free school meals
10.3%
FSM pupils
154
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Saffron Academy Trust
Headteacher
Ms Polly Lankester

Location

Address
Audley End Road
Postcode
CB11 4UH
Town
Saffron Walden
County
Essex
Local authority
Essex
District
Uttlesford
Constituency
North West Essex
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Saffron Walden, Essex, 2,157 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 10.3%.

Open schools in Saffron Walden
16
Secondary schools in Saffron Walden
2
Academies among open schools in Saffron Walden
63% (10)
Open schools in CB11
11
Secondary in CB11
2
Open schools in Essex LA
612
Secondary in Essex LA
79

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in Saffron WaldenNear CB11

  • Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Saffron Walden · CB11 3TR · Essex

    Ages 11–18

    • Att849.1
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+49%
    • Absence8.1%

    2.2 miles away

  • R A Butler Infant School

    Ofsted: Improved significantly

    Academy converter · Primary

    Saffron Walden · CB11 3DG · Essex

    Ages 5–7

    • Absence3.7%
    • FSM9.2%

    0.6 miles away

  • R A Butler Junior School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Saffron Walden · CB11 3DG · Essex

    Ages 7–11

    • KS273%
    • Absence4.5%
    • FSM11.7%

    0.6 miles away

  • Katherine Semar Junior School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Saffron Walden · CB11 4DU · Essex

    Ages 7–11

    • KS282%
    • Absence3.6%
    • FSM13.3%

    0.8 miles away

  • Katherine Semar Infant School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Saffron Walden · CB11 4DU · Essex

    Ages 4–7

    • Absence3.8%
    • FSM9.4%

    0.8 miles away

  • Newport Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Newport · CB11 3PU · Essex

    Ages 4–11

    • KS252%
    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM14.8%

    2.8 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Polly Lankester
Telephone
01799513030
Website
http://www.swchs.net/

Official links