Saffron Walden County High School
Saffron Walden County High School is a UK state-funded secondary school and Sixth Form in Saffron Walden, Essex, serving approximately 1,800+ students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13, with 300 in each Year 7 cohort, as founding member of the Saffron Academy Trust.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersSaffron Walden, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Saffron Walden County High School does
Saffron Walden County High School (SWCHS) is a UK state-funded secondary school and Sixth Form located in Saffron Walden, Essex, England. It serves approximately 1,800+ students across Years 7-13 (ages 11-18), with a Year 7 cohort of 300 students arranged in 10 tutor groups of 30, and over 600 students sitting exams at any given time. The school operates as the founding member of the Saffron Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust registered in England and Wales (company number 7618351). Its core educational products are the GCSE Curriculum (Years 7-11) covering Key Stages 3 and 4, and the Sixth Form offering 40+ A-Level, BTEC, CTEC, and vocational Level 3 qualifications with no catchment area restriction.
SWCHS supports its core education with a technology stack including a biometric cashless catering system (fingerprint recognition linked to Wisepay accounts), Go4Schools parent portal for progress tracking and behavior reporting, SchoolCloud parents' evening booking, Microsoft Teams for homework delivery, SIMS Parent App for consent management, and Juniper Education CMS for the website. Distinctive operational features include mandatory Hush Phone Pouches for Years 7-10 students (£15 each) to enforce a phone-free learning environment, and Saffron Hall, an on-site performance venue used for assemblies, concerts, and Headteacher talks.
The school's revenue model is predominantly government funding through the Saffron Academy Trust, supplemented by voluntary donations from parents and local companies, uniform sales through approved supplier BeeWear, catering revenue via Wisepay, phone pouch sales, and fundraising events (SWCHS Summer Party, Quiz Nights, Jingle Mingle). The school also hosts the Saffron Teaching School Hub, one of 87 nationally selected by the Department for Education, acting as Lead Partner for three accredited ITT providers (CTSN SCITT, Mid Essex ITT, West Essex SCITT) to deliver teacher training across Essex and Cambridgeshire. Customer segments include secondary school students, Sixth Form students, parents and carers, prospective families, and teacher training candidates. Distribution occurs through Essex County Council admissions (Year 7), the Applicaa platform (Sixth Form), annual Open Evenings, and the annual Uttlesford Careers Fair drawing 60+ employer stands and 50+ businesses at the Employers' Breakfast.
Saffron Walden County High School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Saffron Walden County High School
- Legal name
- Saffron Walden County High School
- Website
- https://swchs.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Saffron Walden County High School is a UK state-funded secondary school and Sixth Form in Saffron Walden, Essex, serving approximately 1,800+ students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13, with 300 in each Year 7 cohort, as founding member of the Saffron Academy Trust.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Saffron Walden County High School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Secondary Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs (EDAJAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Saffron Walden County High School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saffron Walden
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Saffron Walden County High School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- State Education Funding: As a state-funded secondary school, SWCHS receives government funding through the Saffron Academy Trust for educational operations. Additional revenue is generated through voluntary donations from parents, carers and local companies.
- Uniform Sales: Sales of branded school uniform including blazers, ties, PE kit, and accessories through approved supplier BeeWear. School kilt must show SWCHS Crocus emblem and red button.
- Catering Services: Cashless catering system via Wisepay for school meals and refreshments. Students can load funds online or via cash loader in school.
- Phone Pouch Sales: Sale of Hush Phone Pouches at £15 each to Years 7-10 students as part of phone-free initiative.
- Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including SWCHS Summer Party, Quiz Nights for parents and carers, and Jingle Mingle Christmas event for seniors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time purchase | Hush Phone Pouches for phone-free initiative |
| Other | Termly | Optional individual music lessons |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels14 records
Saffron Walden County High School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Saffron Walden County High School is a state-funded secondary school and Sixth Form delivering secondary education to students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum including GCSEs at Key Stages 3-4 and a Sixth Form with 40+ A-Level, BTEC, CTEC, and vocational subjects, supported by extensive extra-curricular activities, careers guidance, SEND provision, and the on-site Saffron Teaching School Hub delivering initial teacher training.
Product overview
Saffron Walden County High School operates as a comprehensive secondary school offering a unified educational service spanning Years 7-13. The core educational products include the GCSE Curriculum for Key Stages 3-4 and the Sixth Form providing post-16 education through A-Levels, BTECs, CTECs, and vocational qualifications across 40+ subjects. Supporting modules include The Music Academy (specialized music instruction), extra-curricular activities (clubs, sports, Duke of Edinburgh), The Birches SEND provision, and the Saffron Teaching School Hub for teacher training. The school also provides a cashless catering system and comprehensive careers guidance (CEIAG) as integral support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Saffron Teaching School Hub: Teaching School Hub providing teacher training and development programs, working as Lead Partner for three accredited teacher training providers (CTSN SCITT, Mid Essex Initial Teacher Training, West Essex SCITT) offering early years, primary and secondary training routes.
- Saffron Hall
- The Music Academy
- Saffron Screen
Products and services
- GCSE Curriculum (Years 7-11)
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 600 students sitting exams
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Saffron Walden County High School
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Saffron Walden County High School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature5 records
Saffron Walden County High School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Saffron Walden Building SocietyflagshipLocal building society whose CEO addressed the Employers' Breakfast 2025. Established employment partner providing work experience and apprenticeship opportunities to SWCHS students.
- Over 50 Local and National EmployerscoreEmployers who attended the Employers' Breakfast 2025 event, engaging with students about career opportunities, apprenticeships, and work experience. Included Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Saffron Walden.
- Uttlesford Careers Fair Partner SchoolscoreCollaboration with Joyce Frankland Academy Newport and Helena Romanes schools to host the annual Uttlesford Careers Fair. SWCHS serves as the host venue for this regional careers event.
- Saffron Academy TrustcoreMulti-academy trust registered in England and Wales (company number 7618351). SWCHS is the founding member of the Saffron Academy Trust. The trust enables partnerships with local primary and secondary schools, providing career development opportunities for staff and collaborative educational initiatives.
- Saffron Teaching School HubcoreTeaching School Hub based at SWCHS, one of 87 nationally selected by Department for Education to lead teacher training and development. Works collaboratively with SWCHS on training and development. Acts as Lead Partner for three accredited teacher training providers offering early years, primary and secondary training routes.
- CTSN SCITT (Cambridge Training Schools Network)coreAccredited teacher training provider for which Saffron Teaching School Hub is a Lead Partner. Offers secondary training routes across placement schools in Essex and Cambridgeshire.
- Mid Essex Initial Teacher TrainingcoreAccredited teacher training provider for which Saffron Teaching School Hub is a Lead Partner. Offers primary and secondary training routes.
- West Essex SCITTcoreAccredited teacher training provider for which Saffron Teaching School Hub is a Lead Partner. Offers teacher training routes in West Essex area.
- Saffron HallcoreOn-site performance venue operated separately from SWCHS but integral to school life. Used for assemblies, concerts, drama productions, Headteacher talks at open evenings, and community events. School maintains links to Saffron Hall website for bookings.
- NHS (Addenbrookes)minorHealthcare employer presenting career and apprenticeship opportunities at Uttlesford Careers Fair.
- MAG London StanstedminorAirport operator presenting aviation career opportunities at Uttlesford Careers Fair.
- BarclaysminorFinancial services employer presenting career and apprenticeship opportunities at Uttlesford Careers Fair.
- The Loaf & Tin BakeryminorLocal bakery that supported the school by supplying pastries for the Year 11 Science Revision Breakfast. Example of community business support for school events.
- BeeWearcoreOfficial uniform supplier operating shop on Saffron Walden High Street. Provides new SWCHS branded uniform including blazers, ties, PE kit. Also able to add required button and embroidery to existing pre-loved kilts for a small fee.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Saffron Walden County High School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Harris Federation: One of the UK's largest multi-academy trusts, operating numerous secondary schools. Provides a useful comparison for the long-term trajectory of the Saffron Academy Trust of which SWCHS is the founding member.
- Ormiston Academies Trust: Large UK multi-academy trust comparable in structure to the Saffron Academy Trust. Useful benchmark for the operational and governance model of multi-academy school groups containing a flagship secondary school.
Regional players
- Burnt Mill Academy: Essex secondary school operating as part of a multi-academy trust structure. Comparable in scale and offering, with overlapping regional catchment.
- Passmores Academy: Essex secondary school of similar scale and comprehensive admissions model. Provides direct competitive comparison for state-funded secondary education in the wider Essex region.
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls: High-performing Essex secondary school (grammar) of similar scale and reputation. Comparable in terms of academic outcomes and regional brand, though selective in admissions versus SWCHS's comprehensive model.
- Shenfield High School: Essex secondary school with comparable scale and comprehensive admissions model. A direct competitor for Year 7 applicants within the Essex County Council admissions framework.
- King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford: Established Essex grammar school with comparable regional draw and academic outcomes. A regional benchmark for secondary education in Essex and a competitor for high-attaining students.
- Felsted School: Independent co-educational school in the same Uttlesford region with comparable scale and strong arts/music offering. Provides a relevant comparison for SWCHS's Lead School for Music status and post-16 breadth.
Direct peers
- Joyce Frankland Academy Newport: Essex secondary school that co-hosts the Uttlesford Careers Fair with SWCHS. Comparable state-funded secondary school in the same geographic region serving a similar age cohort with comparable GCSE and post-16 provision.
- Helena Romanes School: Partner school in the Uttlesford Careers Fair collaboration with SWCHS. Essex secondary school of comparable scale and catchment, providing direct competitive overlap for students in the region.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Saffron Walden County High School social profiles
Digital presenceSaffron Walden County High School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Saffron Walden County High School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Saffron Walden County High School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Saffron Walden County High School subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Saffron Walden County High School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Saffron Walden County High School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Saffron Walden County High School
What does Saffron Walden County High School do?
Saffron Walden County High School is a state-funded secondary school and Sixth Form delivering secondary education to students aged 11-18 across Years 7-13. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum including GCSEs at Key Stages 3-4 and a Sixth Form with 40+ A-Level, BTEC, CTEC, and vocational subjects, supported by extensive extra-curricular activities, careers guidance, SEND provision, and the on-site Saffron Teaching School Hub delivering initial teacher training.
Is Saffron Walden County High School a public or private company?
Saffron Walden County High School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Saffron Walden County High School founded?
Saffron Walden County High School was founded in 1950. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Saffron Walden County High School based?
Saffron Walden County High School is headquartered in Saffron Walden, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Saffron Walden County High School make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. State Education Funding is the primary driver. The others are uniform Sales, catering Services, phone Pouch Sales and fundraising Events.
Who are Saffron Walden County High School's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Harris Federation and Ormiston Academies Trust. Regional players are Burnt Mill Academy, Passmores Academy, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Shenfield High School, King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford and Felsted School. Direct peers are Joyce Frankland Academy Newport and Helena Romanes School.
Does Saffron Walden County High School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Saffron Walden County High School.
What industry is Saffron Walden County High School in?
Saffron Walden County High School's product category is Secondary Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJAAAD, Public High Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJAAAJ, Public Career & Technical Education (CTE) Centers & Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.