Located in Saffron Walden, Katherine Semar Junior School is a primary school, serving pupils aged 7 to 11. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Katherine Semar Junior School currently has around 249 pupils on roll, which is about 92% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 45.4% boys and 54.6% girls. Around 12.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 3.6%. Persistent absence is recorded at 6.4%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (75.5%). other white pupils make up about 10.4%

Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

School Information

Address: Ross Close, Saffron Walden, CB11 4DU
Website: www.katherinesemar.co.uk
Telephone: 01799521120
School Type: Academy converter
Education phase: Primary
Local authority: Essex
Headteacher / Principal: Mrs Julie Puxley
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 141572

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 11/03/2025

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 7 - 11
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 270
Number of Pupils: 249
Number of Boys: 113
Number of Girls: 136

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 3.6% 4%
Persistent absence: 6.4% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British75.50%188
Other White10.40%26
Unclassified3.60%9
White and Asian3.20%8
Chinese2.00%5
Other Mixed1.20%3
Other Asian1.20%3
Indian1.20%3
White and Black African0.80%2
White and Black Caribbean0.40%1
Other Black0.40%1
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
Pakistani0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Caribbean0.00%0
African0.00%0
Other (any other ethnic group)0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Above Average (2.7)
Writing: Above Average (2.1)
Maths: Average (1.2)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
82%
Town average
77%
Local authority average
66%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
23%
Town average
18%
Local authority average
12%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
109.0
Town average
109.4
Local authority average
107.1
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
108.0
Town average
107.2
Local authority average
105.5
England average
104.3

Nearby Schools

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Katherine Semar Junior School
Ross Close , CB11 4DU
- not rated 0 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Katherine Semar Junior School
Ross Close , CB11 4DU
- not rated 0 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Katherine Semar Infant School
Ross Close , CB11 4DU
- not rated 44 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Katherine Semar Infant School
Ross Close , CB11 4DU
- not rated 44 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron Walden
South Road , CB11 3DW
- not rated 1,098 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Saffron Walden County High School
Audley End Road , CB11 4UH
- not rated 1,481 yd Foundation school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Saffron Walden County High School
Audley End Road , CB11 4UH
4out of 4 1,481 yd Academy converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Walden School
Mount Pleasant Road , CB11 3EB
- not rated 888 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School
Dame Bradbury's School
Ashdon Road , CB10 2AL
- not rated 2,067 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.