SchoolScoresSaffron Walden County High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST
Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH
01799 513030 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 26 March 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 |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
420 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Essex comparisons use the 44 of its 82 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 38 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 | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 83% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 94% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 120 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 8th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 71% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 49% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 277 parents who had raised a concern Joint 2nd highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 94% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 69% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94%said yes | 78% | 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. Essex figures pool parents at the Essex 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
303 pupils in this year group.
66% — 23 points above the Essex average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 66% | 43% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 59.7 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.6 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
300 pupils in this year group.
94% — 2 points above the Essex average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 75% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 11% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
279 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 34% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 68% | 54% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 40.0 | 34.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
36 subjects, 757 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 79 | 28% | 49% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 47 | 17% | 36% | 16% |
| History | 47 | 4% | 23% | 23% |
| Psychology | 42 | 7% | 29% | 19% |
| Geography | 40 | 5% | 25% | 23% |
| Economics | 38 | 29% | 55% | 26% |
| English Literature | 38 | 32% | 45% | 23% |
| Biology | 36 | 8% | 31% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 32 | 19% | 44% | 30% |
| Physics | 32 | 9% | 38% | 31% |
| English Language | 28 | 0% | 4% | 13% |
| Geology | 26 | 12% | 27% | 25% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 24 | 4% | 21% | 14% |
| Sociology | 23 | 9% | 26% | 20% |
| Film Studies | 22 | 14% | 23% | 17% |
| Government and Politics | 20 | 5% | 30% | 26% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 20 | 20% | 65% | 59% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 19 | 5% | 32% | 19% |
| Art and Design (3d Studies) | 17 | 12% | 29% | 28% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 14 | 0% | 29% | 24% |
| Environmental Science | 14 | 14% | 21% | 14% |
| Logic / Philosophy | 12 | 8% | 17% | 19% |
| Classical Civilisation | 11 | 9% | 18% | 23% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 9 | 0% | 22% | 26% |
| Music | 9 | 0% | 44% | 29% |
| Spanish | 9 | 33% | 67% | 34% |
| Art and Design | 8 | 38% | 50% | 34% |
| Music Technology | 8 | 0% | 13% | 15% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| French | 7 | 29% | 57% | 38% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 6 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Religious Studies, Art and Design (Textiles), Latin, German, Russian.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
321 students in this year group.
91% — 10 points above the Essex average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 91% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 91% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
331 students in this year group.
77% — 23 points above the Essex average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 77% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 35% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 77% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 290 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 344 |
| Of those, offered a place | 289 (84%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 536 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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 | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 73rd highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 17th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.7% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 24th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 46th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 21st lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 71% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 77% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 25th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.09% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 46th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.2 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 47th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 67th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 20% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 13.3%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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 secondary schools
- Joyce Frankland Academy, Newport 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Saffron Walden County High School's Ofsted rating?
Saffron Walden County High School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 26 March 2024.
How did Saffron Walden County High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 66% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Saffron Walden County High School?
94% of the 420 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Saffron Walden County High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Saffron Walden County High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 344 families put Saffron Walden County High School as their first choice for 290 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 289 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 136776.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.