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Photo of Saffron Walden County High School
Reviewed

Saffron Walden County High School

State school · Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • 2,137 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

A big, buzzing school of exceptional quality and quantity of opportunity, both academically and in all the co-curricular activities that are so important to the development of young characters. Focus on the individual is not sacrificed to scale and the place runs like a well-oiled machine, providing every pupil with the specific guidance and high expectations to take the next steps that are just right for them.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

Unlock to access

Overview & data

Pupil numbers
2,137 ·
Sixth form numbers
629 ·
Religion
None
Local authority
Essex County Council
Area guides

Headteacher

Headteacher

Polly Lankester

Since 2020, Polly Lankester. Studied history at Cambridge after a gap year in China, during which she fell in love with teaching. Took her PGCE and landed her first job as a teacher - in the school she now leads. ‘I knew the minute I walked through


Entrance

Seriously oversubscribed, with around 600 applicants for the 300 year 7 places available. Siblings are prioritised, followed by residents of 12 listed parishes, though no feeder primaries (the Essex way). Although other entry criteria exist, children

Open days
September and October

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

R A Butler Junior School 30 %
Katherine Semar Junior School 21 %
St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 9 %
St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron Walden 9 %
Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy 8 %
Other 7 %
Where the number of students is less than 10, we cannot say where they've come from or where they are going to due to data protection rules.
Radwinter Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 4 %
Ashdon Primary School 3 %
Great Sampford Community Primary School 3 %
Thaxted Primary School 2 %
Unknown 2 %
Where the school a student attended before or after this school is not known. These might be students who have come from or going to home schooling, independent schools, moving abroad etc.
Wimbish Primary Academy 1 %
Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy 1 %
Data highlight

Exit

Just over 20 per cent leave after GCSEs, mainly for vocational courses or apprenticeships at local colleges including Cambridge’s Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge Regional College and Harlow College. Plenty of guidance for the 85 per cent of

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
82%
LA avg.
61%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

What is this?

The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.


Latest results

In 2024, 32 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 82 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths at GCSE; 33 per cent A*/A at A level (64 per cent A*-B.

% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
82%
LA avg.
64%
Eng. avg.
60%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average points score (2024)

School
39.04
LA avg.
33.44
Eng. avg.
35.69
Data highlight

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.


Teaching & learning

Undeniably a large school - the key to making sure each student gets the individual attention needed is to divide and divide again. School population is split into two halves (‘Saffron’ and ‘Walden’) and within that, core subjects are taught in sets

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
  • VRQ
139
Number of teachers
16:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

Learning support staff of 27, two designated as SENCos. Most support happens in lessons, with TAs embedded in particular departments, including fluent language speakers in MFL and experienced technicians in technology. One-to-one and small group

3 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
15 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

This really is the epicentre of the arts for the local area. School incorporates a professional concert and theatrical venue (Saffron Hall) as well as the town’s arts cinema (Saffron Screen), a clever move which has brought superb facilities to the


Sport

Sports teams fielded for all abilities – ‘It’s a big thing when the sheet goes up and you rush over to see if your name is there,’ one keen pupil told us – and there are fixtures most Saturday mornings in which the (often independent school)


Ethos & heritage

Set on a glorious patch of north east Essex countryside on the edge of the historic market town of Saffron Walden, the school’s nearest neighbour is Audley End House, a Jacobean pile now run by English Heritage. The two sites couldn’t be more


Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

‘A large pond, but pupils don’t get lost in it,’ say parents - quite a feat and down to the clever compartmentalisation of the population and the commitment of staff to go ‘above and beyond to support children in both their learning and their


Mobile phone policy

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Mobile devices should not be brought into school; if they are seen or heard on school premises they will be confiscated. They will be taken by staff to the main office for safekeeping. If it is the first confiscation for that academic year the item can be collected at the end of the day. If it is not the first confiscation for that academic year the item will be kept in school and will be returned at the end of the following day upon production of a letter from parents requesting return of the item

Updated Sep 2024

Pupils & parents

Vast majority of pupils walk or bike to school, though sixth formers from more outlying villages more likely to bus, or commute courtesy of mum or dad’s taxi. Not a very diverse area to say the least (88 per cent white British) and very few

2,137
Number of pupils

The last word

A big, buzzing school of exceptional quality and quantity of opportunity, both academically and in all the co-curricular activities that are so important to the development of young characters. Focus on the individual is not sacrificed to scale and


Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Outstanding

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding

This school has not provided any information yet

If you are from this school, please, get in touch to feature images and useful information for parents.

Contact the school

Address

Audley End Road
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB11 4UH
Get directions

Telephone: 01799 513030

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.swchs.net

Local authority: Essex County Council

Have you considered?

School data & information Saffron Walden County High School Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4UH
2,137 Pupil numbers
1030/1107 Pupil numbers boy/girls split
629 Sixth form numbers
7 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
5 % Pupils whose first language is not English
16:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
139 Number of teachers
23 Number of teaching assistants

Mobile phone policy

Provided by the school and not part of our review

Mobile devices should not be brought into school; if they are seen or heard on school premises they will be confiscated. They will be taken by staff to the main office for safekeeping. If it is the first confiscation for that academic year the item can be collected at the end of the day. If it is not the first confiscation for that academic year the item will be kept in school and will be returned at the end of the following day upon production of a letter from parents requesting return of the item

Updated Sep 2024
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by Saffron Walden County High School and is updated annually. See the review

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
82%
LA avg.
64%
Eng. avg.
60%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
56.70
LA avg.
44.70
Eng. avg.
44.20

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.29 Score Above average
≈ 16% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 36 6
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 269 6
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 61 8
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 49 6
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 7
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 290 6
Latin GCSE (9-1) Full Course 26 8
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 176 6
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 92 6
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 167 6
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 76 6
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 286 6
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 291 6
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 39 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 35 5
Dance GCSE (9-1) Full Course 13 7
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 43 5
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 48 7
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 61 8
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 96 6
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 61 8
Art & Design (Textiles) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 6
Art & Design (3d Studies) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 47 7
Art & Design GCSE (9-1) Full Course 42 6

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
19%
LA avg.
15%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
39.04
LA avg.
33.44
Eng. avg.
35.69

What is this?

These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCE A level 13 A
Sociology GCE A level 34 B
Religious Studies GCE A level 7 B
Psychology GCE A level 48 A
Physics GCE A level 31 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 10 A
Music Technology GCE A level 11 B
Music GCE A level 8 A
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCE A level 22 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 24 A
Mathematics GCE A level 81 B
Logic / Philosophy GCE A level 14 A
History GCE A level 42 A
Government and Politics GCE A level 24 B
Geology GCE A level 15 B
Geography GCE A level 32 B
French GCE A level 9 A
Film Studies GCE A level 17 A
Environmental Science GCE A level 11 C
English Literature GCE A level 44 B
English Language GCE A level 14 B
Economics GCE A level 32 B
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 14 A
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 10 B
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 17 B
Classical Civilisation GCE A level 12 A
Chemistry GCE A level 29 A
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 54 B
Biology GCE A level 26 B
Art and Design (3d Studies) GCE A level 21 B
Art and Design GCE A level 10 A

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Recent feeder schools

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

Saffron Walden County High School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

The school is well staffed to cope with students who have special educational needs. The team of Learning Support Assistants work closely with the SENCO to ensure that all individual education plans are well focussed on the children's special educational needs.

09-09

3 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
15 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

No information available from the school. Find out more.

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Outstanding

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Outstanding
Quality of education Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Outstanding
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Outstanding

Leadership and management Outstanding
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