Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy
School Street, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1NNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy is a primary school in Saffron Walden for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 4th of 11 primary schools in Saffron Walden. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 July 2022, report published 30 September 2022
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 July 2022
Pupils at Great Chesterford meet the high expectations staff set for them. Pupils, their parents and school staff all embody the school motto: 'together we are great'. For example, many pupils read widely. This is because their teachers teach them how to read well. Also, teachers give clear guidance to pupils' parents that helps parents support their child's reading at home. Such collaboration helps many pupils achieve their best. Pupils' behaviour is calm and purposeful. Pupils quickly build strong relationships with staff. Through staff's clear routines, children in the early years learn how to try their best and treat others kindly. These behaviours follow them through the school, creating a happy environment. Bullying happens rarely at the school. Pupils know that if someone does or says something unkind, that it is followed up by adults straight away to stop it happening again. Most pupils enjoy a wide range of extra-curricular activities, such as orchestra, sports clubs and musical theatre. These experiences give pupils the confidence to represent the school in competitions and performances. For example, pupils enjoyed singing at an event to raise awareness about dementia. There are other community and church events which develop pupils' moral understanding.
What the school should improve
- Some pupils, including pupils with SEND, struggle to remember the concepts and vocabulary they need to know. This makes it difficult for those pupils to join in discussions and/or complete activities well. Leaders must ensure staff receive training so they are able to confidently make appropriate adjustments that consistently ensure pupils revise and remember key content ahead of new learning being taught.
- On occasion, some children in the early years are not being given enough opportunities to recall and deepen their prior learning. This means that these children are not achieving as highly as they could. Leaders must review the range of curriculum opportunities on offer to ensure all pupils apply what they have learned and deepen their knowledge.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
26 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
177 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Great Chesterford Church of England Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duxford Church of England Community Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| R A Butler Infant School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| R A Butler Junior School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 82% met the expected standard |
| St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron Walden | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 94% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- GREAT OAK MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Amy Sargeant
- Phone
- 01799530292
- Address
- School Street, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1NN
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 137516
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.