Katherine Semar Infant School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 7
Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

Ross Close, Saffron Walden, CB11 4DUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Katherine Semar Infant School is a primary school in Saffron Walden for ages 4 to 7. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 January 2025, report published 9 March 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Katherine Semar Infant School is a nurturing and exciting place to learn. Pupils thrive here. The school's chosen 'Inspire' curriculum is ambitious and pupils achieve highly. Pupils are enthusiastic about their learning. They look forward to the exciting lessons that staff prepare for them. They are keen to do their best. Beginning in the early years, children learn the school's values. They learn to be curious, resilient, respectful and confident. Pupils' behaviour is impressive, and even the youngest children show high levels of self-control. They follow the school rules consistently well. Relationships with staff are extremely caring and supportive. The staff know pupils well and respond to changes in pupils' needs promptly. This ensures that pupils are focused on their learning. Pupils know that their voice matters. The school has used the 'suggestion box' to listen to pupils' views. Learning about other cultures and religions permeates through the curriculum. For example, in assemblies, pupils learn about musicians from around the world. Pupils have a strong understanding of their place in the world. They are confident talking about their experiences of trips and how this connects with their learning. They talk about celebrating differences and why it is important to be different.

Pupil numbers and mix

180 pupils on roll, with places for 180

Eligible for free school meals9.4%

9.4%, 17.1 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language15%

15%, 6.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support8.3%

8.3%, 6.5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.8%

2.8%, 3.2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Katherine Semar Infant School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Katherine Semar Junior School0.1 milesOfsted judgements: Outstanding79% met the expected standard
St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Saffron Walden0.6 milesOfsted: Good94% met the expected standard
R A Butler Infant School0.7 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
R A Butler Junior School0.7 milesOfsted: Outstanding82% met the expected standard
St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good65% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
4 to 7
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Julie Puxley
Address
Ross Close, Saffron Walden, CB11 4DU
Local authority
Essex
URN
141574

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.