Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy
Saffron Walden, CB10 1NN · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
65th 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 1,801 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.8/10 among them, against 8.1/10 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 | 88.0 · 96 | 40% | 3.86 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 88.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 8.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.8 out of 10 among them, against 8.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the School Council and LAMDA/The Young Communicators Academy, take music lessons, and attend a residential trip to Burwell House. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 177 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 who are not reaching the higher standard? What specific activities does the LAMDA partnership involve for younger children? How does the residential trip to Burwell House prepare pupils for independence?
What Ofsted said about Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy
Overview
Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy is rated ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a school where pupils ‘meet the high expectations staff set for them’ and embody the motto ‘together we are great’. Leaders have designed an ‘ambitious curriculum that is broad and varied’, resulting in most pupils achieving well and developing strong relationships with staff.
Strengths
- Staff possess ‘strong subject knowledge’ and use effective methods, including trips and visitors, to make learning ‘engaging and memorable’.
- Reading provision is robust; leaders ensure staff receive training to teach pupils to read ‘confidently and fluently’, with extra support for weaker readers.
- Behaviour is ‘calm and purposeful’, with clear routines that help children ‘treat others kindly’ and ensure bullying happens ‘rarely’.
- Pupils enjoy a ‘wide range of extra-curricular activities’, such as orchestra and musical theatre, which build confidence and moral understanding.
- Governors ‘carry out their statutory duties to good effect’ and have implemented measures to support staff workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure staff receive training to make ‘appropriate adjustments’ so pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can ‘revise and remember key content’ before new learning is taught.
- Leaders must review early years curriculum opportunities to ensure all children are given enough chances to ‘recall and deepen their prior learning’.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with leaders ensuring concerns are ‘recorded and followed up promptly’ and staff trained to notice changes that might indicate risk.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 80% |
| 2023/24 | 69% |
| 2024/25 | 88% |
| 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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