Located in Saffron Walden, Saffron Walden County High School is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It has a none religious character. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Saffron Walden County High School currently has around 2119 pupils on roll, which is about 103% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 48.3% boys and 51.7% girls. Around 9.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 7.2%. Persistent absence is recorded at 18.8%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (83.1%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Outstanding. This indicates exceptional performance across all areas. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 96% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (91%) , including 73% who stay in school sixth forms and 11% progressing to further education , while 4% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Audley End Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH |
| Website: | http://www.swchs.net/ |
| Telephone: | 01799513030 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Essex |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Ms Polly Lankester |
| Religious character: | None |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 136776 |
Ofsted inspection date: 26/03/2024
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 2050 |
| Number of Pupils: | 2119 |
| Number of Boys: | 1024 |
| Number of Girls: | 1095 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 7.2% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 18.8% | 8.2% |
| White British | 83.10% | 1761 |
| Other White | 6.70% | 141 |
| Other Mixed | 2.10% | 44 |
| White and Asian | 1.40% | 30 |
| Unclassified | 1.40% | 30 |
| Other Asian | 1.00% | 22 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.90% | 19 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.60% | 13 |
| Other Black | 0.50% | 11 |
| Indian | 0.50% | 11 |
| White and Black African | 0.40% | 9 |
| Irish | 0.40% | 9 |
| Chinese | 0.40% | 8 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.20% | 5 |
| African | 0.20% | 4 |
| Caribbean | 0.10% | 2 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R A Butler Infant School South Road , CB11 3DG | 3out of 4 | 1,066 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| R A Butler Junior School South Road , CB11 3DG | 4out of 4 | 1,066 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| R A Butler Infant School South Road , CB11 3DG | - not rated | 1,066 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| R A Butler Junior School South Road , CB11 3DG | - not rated | 1,066 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron Walden South Road , CB11 3DW | - not rated | 1,114 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saffron Walden County High School Audley End Road , CB11 4UH | - not rated | 0 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Saffron Walden County High School Audley End Road , CB11 4UH | 4out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden School Mount Pleasant Road , CB11 3EB | - not rated | 874 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Dame Bradbury's School Ashdon Road , CB10 2AL | - not rated | 1,871 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.