Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 5 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Rickling Green, Saffron Walden, CB11 3YGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a primary school in Saffron Walden for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 7th of 11 primary schools in Saffron Walden. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2015.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 7 October 2015, report published 19 November 2015

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 November 2024

Pupils learn to embody the school values through love, respect, responsibility, positivity and embracing their individuality. For example, as 'courageous ambassadors', they educate the school community about the lives of others. They raise funds for local, national and global charities through food drives, bake sales and virtual art auctions. By learning to help others, pupils feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it. This allows the school to address issues quickly and helps to keep pupils safe. The 'super seven rules' reinforce a culture of respect and responsibility. Older pupils, for instance, guide younger ones during the 'book swap', recommending age-appropriate books to enjoy at home. Older pupils looking after younger ones is a positive feature of the school. It helps children settle quickly when they join the Reception Year. High expectations at school support pupils' growth both educationally and personally. A broad curriculum and activities such as the 'expert showcase', where pupils share their learning with parents and carers, foster pride and accomplishment. These expectations are evident in pupils' regular attendance and the high achievement of many by the end of Year 6. Combined with a wide range of extra-curricular activities, these factors prepare pupils well for the challenges of secondary school.

What the school should improve

  • A small number of pupils, including some pupils with SEND, find writing a challenge. The support they need is not yet fully in place, including in the early years. As a result, these pupils find it hard to write accurately and with confidence, which affects their progress. The school should focus on improving writing support across all subjects to ensure that every pupil develops confidence and skill over time.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

12 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths75%

75%, 13 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths8%

8%, the same as the England average.

Reading, average scaled score110

110, 4 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

98 pupils on roll, with places for 105

Eligible for free school meals4.1%

4.1%, 22.4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2%

2%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support28.6%

28.6%, 13.8 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2%

2%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Newport Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good16% met the expected standard
Manuden Primary School2 milesOfsted: Good80% met the expected standard
Henham and Ugley Primary and Nursery School3 milesOfsted judgements: Good70% met the expected standard
Clavering Primary School3 milesOfsted: Good86% met the expected standard
Bentfield Primary School and Nursery3 milesOfsted: Good71% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Voluntary aided school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
5 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Church of England
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Tracey Bratley
Address
Rickling Green, Saffron Walden, CB11 3YG
Local authority
Essex
URN
115130

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.