Parkside Community College
Cambridge, CB1 1EH · Cambridgeshire · secondary school
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3rd 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.8/10 against 872 of them, against 9.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 81.6 · 95 | 30% | 2.84 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.8 · 94 | 25% | 2.35 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 65.9 · 96 | 10% | 0.96 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Parkside Community College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 78.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 63.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.8 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started 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 (9.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 667 pupils against a stated capacity of 660. 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
What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the school maintain its Outstanding Ofsted rating while managing an intake above its designated capacity?
What Ofsted said about Parkside Community College
Overview
Parkside Community College continues to be an outstanding school, providing a small, inclusive environment where pupils enrich their understanding of the wider world. Leaders maintain high expectations for behaviour and learning, ensuring pupils are safe, curious, and eager to engage in their education. The school fosters a highly supportive community where students achieve exceptionally well in national examinations and develop strong leadership skills.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "exemplary" behaviour, interacting maturely and celebrating diversity without tolerating prejudice.
- The curriculum is ambitious, with around 90% of pupils achieving passes in the English Baccalaureate subjects.
- Teachers introduce knowledge clearly, enabling pupils to "grasp understanding of complex ideas" and think critically.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is "strong," with accurate identification and appropriate curriculum adaptations.
- Leaders cater for pupils’ wider development exceptionally well, offering numerous opportunities for social action and leadership.
Areas to improve
The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring a "robust safeguarding culture" through frequent staff training and prompt reporting of concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 61.1 |
| 2024/25 | 63.5 |
| 2025/26 | 65.9 |
| 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
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