Cottenham Village College
High Street, Cottenham, Cambridge, CB24 8UAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Cottenham Village College is a secondary school in Cambridge for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 309 schools in Cambridgeshire. It ranks 12th of 17 secondary schools in Cambridge. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 October 2023, report published 21 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 October 2023
Cottenham is an aspirational and inclusive school where pupils enjoy learning. Pupils value education and work hard to achieve the high standards the school sets for them. Pupils demonstrate curiosity in lessons and ask interesting questions about what they are studying. Pupils thrive when given opportunities to discuss sophisticated topics in the curriculum. Pupils take responsibility for themselves and others. They make positive contributions towards the school's community, such as serving as school councillors or 'It Stops Now' ambassadors. Pupils benefit from the school's enrichment opportunities, such as the educational visits to sites of local, national and international interest that happen during the annual activity week. Pupils behave well. They follow teachers' routines and focus on their learning in lessons. There is a pleasant atmosphere in the school. Pupils conduct themselves sensibly during social times and enjoy each other's company. Pupils are safe. They know how to keep themselves safe at school, home and in the community, including online. They also know what to do if concerns arise. When the infrequent incidents of bullying happen, staff deal with the issues well so that it stops and does not continue.
What the school should improve
- Some teachers do not adapt aspects of their teaching well enough to meet the exact needs of pupils with SEND. As a result, where this is the case, these pupils do not learn as well as they could. The school must continue to provide the training needed so that teachers can support pupils with SEND consistently better.
- Most parents are positive about the work of the school. Some parents are concerned about the provision for pupils with SEND and the school's behaviour policy. School and trust leaders should continue to review their approach to communication so that parents are given appropriate information about changes made at the school. Leaders should also ensure they provide timely responses to any specific questions that individual parents may have about their children's education.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
170 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
860 pupils on roll, with places for 900
Schools near Cottenham Village College
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northstowe Learning Community | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 51.4 |
| Impington Village College | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 58.6 |
| Red Balloon Learner Centre - Cambridge | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 6.3 |
| North Cambridge Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 43.9 |
| Chesterton Community College | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 68.0 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- ASTREA ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Hanan McKeand
- Phone
- 01954288944
- Address
- High Street, Cottenham, Cambridge, CB24 8UA
- Local authority
- Cambridgeshire
- URN
- 137434
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.