Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy

About Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy

Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy is a primary school in Saffron Walden, Essex, classified by the DfE as a sponsor-led academy with a Church of England religious character. Around 145 pupils aged 4 to 11 attend the school. The school holds a 'Good' judgement from Ofsted. 78% of its pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Key Stage 2, well above the national average (national figure: 61%). The proportion reaching the expected standard has risen by 7.0 percentage points year on year, though small year groups can make these figures swing sharply from year to year. On our composite score, which combines the DfE attainment measures above, this places it in the top 20% of primary schools nationally.

Pupils achieved an average scaled score of 107 in reading and 103 in maths (national averages are about 105 and 104). 11% reached the higher standard across all three subjects (around 8% do so nationally). Getting a place is straightforward: for the September 2026 intake every family who made Debden Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Academy their first choice was offered one of its 14 Reception places. In 2025 the furthest child offered a place lived 1.37 miles from the school in a straight line, according to the council's published allocation figures; the distance changes every year with demand. Overall pupil absence was 4.3%. There are about 20.1 pupils per teacher. Its intake is relatively advantaged, with around 12% of pupils eligible for free school meals in the last six years versus about 24% nationally. When comparing schools, it is still worth visiting in person to see whether the atmosphere and approach suit your child. This overview is generated automatically from the latest published DfE performance tables and Ofsted data; figures are rounded, and you can check the originals via the official links above.