Cottenham Village College
Cambridge, CB24 8UA · Cambridgeshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
16th of 34 secondary schools in Cambridgeshire we can score, 35 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.0/10 against 883 of them, against 7.4/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 56.6 · 76 | 30% | 2.28 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.26 · 70 | 25% | 1.74 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.9 · 80 | 10% | 0.80 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cottenham Village College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 56.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.26 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (7.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the choir and brass group, attend Activities Week and work experience, and use the after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 860 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils in the final year to maintain their progress? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider school community?
What Ofsted said about Cottenham Village College
Overview
Cottenham Village College is described as an "aspirational and inclusive school where pupils enjoy learning" and "value education." The report highlights a "pleasant atmosphere" where pupils behave well, follow routines, and demonstrate curiosity in lessons. Overall, the school provides a high-quality education with effective leadership and strong personal development opportunities.
Strengths
- The "well-designed curriculum supports pupils to achieve well," with national examination results placing the school in the "highest 20% of schools nationally."
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and deliver lessons effectively, helping pupils "remember knowledge over time" through regular review.
- Pupils benefit from an "extensive personal, social, health and economic education programme" and "comprehensive careers advice."
- The school is developing a "strong reading culture," with staff successfully helping weaker readers to improve.
- Staff report positively about workload and have "confidence in the leadership of the school."
Areas to improve
- Some teachers do not adapt teaching well enough to meet the exact needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), meaning these pupils "do not learn as well as they could."
- Leaders must improve communication with parents to address concerns regarding SEND provision and policy changes, ensuring "timely responses to any specific questions."
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.8 |
| 2024/25 | 52.0 |
| 2025/26 | 52.9 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of CB24 8UA, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT