Katherine Semar Junior School
Saffron Walden, CB11 4DU · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
19th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.0/10 against 4,308 of them, against 8.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 79.0 · 86 | 62% | 5.28 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 22.0 · 94 | 38% | 3.61 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Katherine Semar Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 79.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. A further 22.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Ace Club, School Council, or Class Ambassadors. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 256 pupils against a stated capacity of 270. 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 do not reach the expected standard in their final year? What specific activities take place during the Ace Club sessions?
What Ofsted said about Katherine Semar Junior School
Overview
Katherine Semar Junior School is described as a ‘nurturing school of exceptional quality’ where pupils ‘feel safe, are well cared for and achieve a very high standard’. The inspection found that pupils develop into ‘mature, articulate and respectful citizens’ within an environment characterised by ‘exemplary’ behaviour and a strong love of learning.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious and carefully sequenced’, with clear progression and a strong focus on reading that ensures pupils become ‘fluent, confident readers’.
- Teachers deliver lessons in a ‘highly effective way’ using a consistent structure that helps pupils remember key knowledge securely and ‘talk freely and confidently’ about their learning.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ‘well supported’ through careful adaptations, allowing many to access the same learning as their peers.
- The personal development curriculum is ‘highly impactful’, fostering an ‘inclusive ethos’ where pupils are ‘highly respectful of differences’ and understand equality.
- Staff feel ‘fully appreciated’ and value the training provided, contributing to a ‘very strong sense of cohesion’ across the school team.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 82% |
| 2023/24 | 79% |
| 2024/25 | 79% |
| 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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