SchoolScoresKatherine Semar Junior School
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Part of SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST
Ross Close, Saffron Walden, CB11 4DU
01799 521120 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 11 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
112 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Saffron Walden comparisons use the 7 of its 14 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 7 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 | Saffron Walden | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 5th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Saffron Walden. Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 98% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 6th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Saffron Walden. Higher than 59% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 98% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 4th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Saffron Walden. Higher than 73% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 97% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 26 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Saffron Walden. Higher than 67% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 66% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 78 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Saffron Walden. Higher than 58% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 94% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 21 parents of children with SEND Joint 35th highest of 71 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 35% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 5th highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Saffron Walden. Higher than 67% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95%said yes | 97% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 45%). 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. Saffron Walden figures pool parents at the Saffron Walden 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
67 pupils in this year group.
79% — 16 points above the Essex average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 79% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 22% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 88% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 85% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 91% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 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 Essex. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Higher than 26% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.8% | 21.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.8% | 2.9%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Higher than 28% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.2% | 13.9%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Higher than 60% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.5% | 12.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Lower than 97% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.1% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Lower than 95% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.5% | 13.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Lower than 65% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Lower than 62% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 11th highest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Higher than 28% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.6 | 21.9 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 14 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Higher than 78% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.5 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 11 state primary schools in Saffron Walden. Higher than 28% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 6.8% | 13.5%* | 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
- Katherine Semar Infant School 0.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron Walden 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 94% met expected standard (KS2)
- R A Butler Infant School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), improved significantly 2024
- R A Butler Junior School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Debden CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newport Primary School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), some aspects weaker 2025 · 16% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Katherine Semar Junior School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 11 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Katherine Semar Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 17 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Katherine Semar Junior School?
95% of the 112 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Katherine Semar Junior School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 141572.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.