Great Chesterford Primary

[RicePuddingwithApricotJam]

Could anyone let me know their thoughts on this school as we are considering moving to the area? We did go on a school tour but would appreciate any experiences or local knowledge. I understand that the Head Teacher is leaving and wondered what take from that - to me he seemed looked stressed in his photo on the school website. I am much more interested in happy children who enjoy learning and was a tad concerned to read on the schools website that they 'push' children.

Hi,
I live a couple of villages away from Great Chesterford, and know several people who send their children there. They are all very happy with it. It's a popular school (might be good to check places for the year groups you would need).
I think the head teacher is retiring rather than leaving for any negative reason. Actually in this area, primary schools tend to be small 150-250 pupils and it's not unusual for head teachers to only stay for a few years before moving on to bigger schools. It isn't a problem though, provided the new one is competent.

I know you haven't asked this specifically, but you might want to look at senior schools before choosing your house, as the catchment for Saffron Walden County High doesn't always extend up to Great Chesterford (even though the primary is a feeder school) due to over subscription. If you live north of Great Chesterford (e.g. Ickleton, Hinxton) you will be in catchment for Sawston Village College as you will be in Cambridgeshire rather than Essex.
Both schools are excellent (my DC go to Sawston), but some people do have a preference as they are quite different. And they both fill up, hence the need to be in catchment......

Hi Duxy5 - sorry for using such an old thread but it’s very relevant to us at the moment as we’re looking at houses in Great Chesterford now! What’s the nearest school if SWCHS isn’t an option? It says on the school’s website that it’s in the catchment area so think I’d assumed it would be ok which might be naive... x

Hi Bumble, I’ve just seen this thread so might be too late but if your child doesn’t get a place at SWCHS the next available school will be Joyce Frankland Academy in Newport. Some years Great Chesterford get places at SWCHS and some years not, it all depends on the birth numbers. JFan is much smaller than SWCHS and has a better family feel which suits some children more but it doesn’t have the facilities of County High. I have children at JFan so any questions ask away.