Soham Village College
Ely, CB7 5AA · Cambridgeshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
6th 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 — 8.7/10 against 914 of them, against 8.1/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 54.4 · 72 | 30% | 2.16 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.75 · 93 | 25% | 2.32 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.5 · 79 | 10% | 0.79 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Soham Village College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.75 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in July 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,436 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. 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 structures are in place to maintain the high Progress 8 scores for students entering from diverse backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Soham Village College
Overview
Pupils are described as “extremely happy” and feel “valued, trusted and respected” at this secondary school. The inspection found that pupils “flourish academically and personally” within an environment that builds confidence and self-belief. Leaders have crafted a “highly ambitious” curriculum that enables pupils to achieve very highly with “exceptional quality” work.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “highly ambitious” with knowledge taught in “small, expertly ordered chunks” by teachers with “excellent subject knowledge.”
- Behaviour is “exemplary,” with pupils being “extremely polite and respectful” and lessons progressing “free from disruption.”
- Reading is a high priority; the library is a “hive of activity” and personalised plans help struggling pupils become “fluent readers.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “very effectively supported” and make progress “as impressive as that of their peers.”
- Personal development is “comprehensive and meticulously planned,” embedding values such as “tolerance, democracy and respect.”
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.0 |
| 2024/25 | 51.2 |
| 2025/26 | 52.5 |
| 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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