Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy
Saffron Walden, CB11 3LE · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
75th of 391 primary schools in Essex we can score, 444 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,930 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.4/10 among them, against 7.9/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 78.0 · 84 | 40% | 3.36 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 78.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 11.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.4 out of 10 among them, against 7.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in swimming, visit the Rain Forest and Eden Oasis, and can join an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 140 pupils against a stated capacity of 161. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to progress from the expected to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific support is available for children who need extra help with reading or maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the main curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are ‘happy and safe’ and live out the motto ‘Be kind, be brave, be safe, behave’. Leaders have made ‘significant improvements to the curriculum’ since the previous inspection, establishing a ‘broad and ambitious’ plan that enables pupils to ‘learn and achieve well’. The school fosters a ‘respectful and inclusive culture’ where pupils are ‘confident and resilient’.
Strengths
- The ‘programme for personal development is exceptional’, with pupils engaging in campaigns and demonstrating understanding of values like ‘aspiration, compassion and respect’.
- Leaders have ‘strengthened the teaching of reading’, ensuring most pupils become ‘fluent readers by the end of Year 1’ through effective phonics delivery.
- Teachers ‘explain new learning clearly’ and use questioning effectively, helping pupils ‘apply their learning in more complex ways over time’.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities ‘achieve well’ and are ‘active in the school community’ thanks to timely identification and support.
- The early years provision gives children a ‘great start’, with a ‘well-planned curriculum’ that builds necessary knowledge and social skills.
Areas to improve
- In ‘a few subjects’, recorded work does not give pupils opportunities to ‘practise new learning or revisit previous learning’, meaning progress is not fully reflected.
- Leaders should ensure pupils’ learning is ‘fully reflected through their work across the whole curriculum’ by building on good practice in other subjects.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, with staff appropriately trained and leaders acting ‘swiftly’ on concerns.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 85% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 78% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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