Saffron Walden County High School
Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH · Essex · secondary school
7th of 78 secondary schools in Essex we can score, 81 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 506 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9/10 among them, against 8.2/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 94 | 35% | 3.28 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2024/25 | 66.3 · 88 | 30% | 2.65 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.28 · 71 | 25% | 1.78 |
| Attainment 8 2024/25 | 59.7 · 92 | 10% | 0.92 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Get to know the school
How it's doing. In 2024/25, 66.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 59.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.28 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.9 out of 10 among them, against 8.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom. Pupils can join Politics, One World, Robotics, and Codebreaking clubs, attend School Productions, and go on trips to battlefields and a music tour in 2026. An after-school club is available.
Getting in. The school has 2119 pupils in a capacity of 2050, meaning it is over capacity by 69. The school is over its stated capacity, so places are competitive.
Worth asking on a visit. How does the school manage the pressure of being over capacity? What support is available for pupils who need extra help with their studies? How does the after-school club operate on a typical day?
Written by AI from this school's published results, inspection record and its own website — not by Ofsted, the school, or SchoolsGPT staff. Every figure above comes from the sources on this page. Check anything that matters with the school.
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.
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