The R.A.Butler Schools opened in 1965 and caters for both boys and girls. The Infant and Junior Schools share a beautiful site in the picturesque country market town of Saffron Walden, Essex, United Kingdom.

The two schools work in close partnership, under one head, Mrs Gayle Mawson. We are a self-governing Foundation school. This means that the school is managed locally by the Headteacher and the Governing Body.

Buildings

The buildings were completely refurbished in 1991/2, when the school obtained Grant Maintained status. A new Year 6 block was also constructed at this time. The main entrance, reception area and offices are located in the Infant school main block - all visitors to the school should sign in at the reception desk.

The infant school (KS1) has six classrooms, a SEN room, a Food Technology room, a Quiet Room and a medical room arranged round a large hall which is well equipped with gymnastic apparatus.

The main Junior School (KS2) building is located in two blocks of four rooms linked by a large central hall and has seven classrooms. The building also houses a medical room and a well stocked library which has a computerised loans system. The staff room is located in the Junior School. A separate block contains four further rooms - three Y6 classes and a classroom for numeracy/literacy sets.

A modern, well equipped computer suite was opened in 2002 and is used by both the Infant and Junior School. A Creative Arts room adjoins the computer suite.

Grounds

The extensive grounds provide ample space for many sporting activities as well as play and adventure areas. A wonderful wildlife area at the end of the playing fields enables the children to study wildlife in a natural and safe environment.

In the Junior School, a Quiet Area is set aside for less boisterous activities! This area is to be extensively remodelled in the next two years.

There is a large learner Swimming Pool which is heated and used by all the Infant School children in the Summer Term.

Class Organisation

The Infant School is organised into 8 classes, catering for children between the ages of rising 4 and 7. The Junior School is organised into 10 classes, catering for children between the ages of 7+ and 11+. There are currently 223 children on the roll in the Infant school and 310 children in the Junior School. Although we are a large school, we have a small school atmosphere.