Katherine Semar Junior School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 7 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

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

Katherine Semar Junior School is a primary school in Saffron Walden for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 2nd of 11 primary schools in Saffron Walden. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 March 2025, report published 5 May 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
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 March 2025

Katherine Semar Junior School strives to be a 'nurturing school of exceptional quality', and it achieves this vision. Pupils feel safe, are well cared for and achieve a very high standard, both academically and more widely. Pupils develop into mature, articulate and respectful citizens. Behaviour in class and around the school is exemplary. Pupils' love of learning means they are happy and attend well. Classrooms are calm, orderly and productive. Owing to pupils' excellent learning behaviours, no time is lost. Playtime is a happy time for all. Pupil leaders take on various roles and responsibilities to make this time of the day proceed seamlessly. The library monitors ensure all pupils can access the well-resourced library, while play leaders organise structured games for their younger peers. Other pupils socialise happily, creating their own games or engaging in imaginative play. The vast range of wider opportunities means there is something for everyone. There are clubs and squads for sports, arts and music. All pupils get the chance to participate, while they can also perform and excel through the many competitions and performances they enjoy. Any pupil not engaging in these wider opportunities is identified. The school supports them to ensure they benefit too.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

67 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths79%

79%, 17 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths22%

22%, 14 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score109

109, 3 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

256 pupils on roll, with places for 270

Eligible for free school meals13.3%

13.3%, 13.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language14.1%

14.1%, 7.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.9%

12.9%, 1.9 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.1%

3.1%, 2.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Katherine Semar Junior School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Katherine Semar Infant School0.1 milesOfsted judgements: OutstandingNot published
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
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Julie Puxley
Address
Ross Close, Saffron Walden, CB11 4DU
Local authority
Essex
URN
141572

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.