Comberton Village College Prospectus 2024 by The Cam Academy Trust

EXCELLENCE FOR ALL

WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL

I am delighted that you are interested in our school. I hope you are able to join the constructive partnership between school, pupils and parents which makes Comberton Village College such a vibrant and successful learning community.

At CVC we strive to ensure that every pupil attains the highest academic achievement of which they are capable and that they consistently experience innovative and inspiring teaching. We strongly believe that the highest achievement is only possible where pupils feel secure and supported within a calm and purposeful learning environment, and where they are not only well led, but also have the opportunity to become leaders themselves. We are totally committed to maintaining our position as a centre of excellence at the heart of the local community.

Peter Law | Principal | Comberton Village College

HIGH QUALITY TEACHING & LEARNING

At Comberton Village College we are committed to providing outstanding teaching which ensures the highest quality learning outcomes.

Our highly-qualified and experienced specialist staff consistently deliver lessons which are engaging and exciting. We aim to create a passion for learning among pupils and to generate the skills which allow individuals to become independent learners. As our school site has evolved from its opening in 1960, we have been fortunate to incorporate state-of-the-art facilities with an IT infrastructure which allows us to exploit new and emerging technologies. All pupils have a personal 1-2-1 device which they use in lessons and at home to support and enhance their learning. These iPads are funded through voluntary parental contributions.

HIGH ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL

The feedback from teachers is extremely helpful to know what the next steps are in her academic development. It keeps her motivated and has a positive impact on her wellbeing and enjoying school.

– PARENT SURVEY, 2024

We expect every pupil to achieve their best at Comberton Village College.

We aim to ensure that every pupil makes the greatest possible progress whatever their starting point. We strive to provide a personalised and flexible curriculum which meets the needs of each individual. We are delighted to be able to offer the opportunity for educational continuity to A Level and Level 3 BTEC through our outstanding Comberton Sixth Form. We are proud our academic performance consistently matches that of the highest-performing schools in the country. We believe that high achievement means more than academic achievement alone, and it is important to us that pupils develop broad skills and confidence through our Personal Development programme, involvement in the wider life of the school and through engagement with our many extra-curricular activities. These include clubs, fixtures, local visits, international trips and leadership opportunities, such as our extensive Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Members of staff provide exceptional support to my child so they feel safe and confident asking for help and advice.

– PARENT SURVEY, 2024

A POSITIVE AND CARING ETHOS

Comberton Village College is characterised by an inclusive ethos where every pupil can thrive.

Positive, polite and considerate behaviour is insisted on from all pupils, at all times, enabling everyone to learn well. Our simple uniform is worn properly and fully by all pupils. Positive behaviour is encouraged through a system of rewards. Simple and fair sanctions are used if necessary, to ensure behaviour is as it should be. We aim to work positively with parents to ensure that all our pupils are happy, secure and learning well.

Lunchtime clubs and after-school activities allow her to spend time with friends and give her things to look forward to.

– PARENT SURVEY, 2024

WIDER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are committed to providing an excellent educational experience for every pupil at Comberton Village College.

As well as ensuring excellent teaching and learning takes place in every lesson, this means providing a broad range of exciting educational opportunities for all pupils outside the classroom. This properly enables every pupil to become capable, confident and caring. Very many opportunities exist within both sport and the expressive arts, making the most of our outstanding modern facilities. Clubs, fixtures, productions and performances are available to everyone. Every pupil has the opportunity to start the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme at Bronze level from Year 9, with some following this right through to achieve the Gold Award in the Sixth Form.

A wide range of trips and visits take place for all pupils, both in this country and abroad. Year 7 pupils all attend our summer residential at Beaumanor Hall, and a visit to Spain takes place for them in May. Field trips, ski trips, sports and language visits are all on offer to pupils as they move through the school, to Britain, Europe and continents beyond.

My child’s form tutor is amazing and has helped my child to forge new friendships which has allowed them to feel safe and happy in school.

– PARENT SURVEY, 2024

WORKING WITH OUR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

The College has consistently endeavoured to build ever-stronger relationships with our network of catchment primary schools. Close liaison means that we are able to dovetail the primary and secondary curricula effectively, and ensures that we are as well informed as possible about every pupil arriving at our school. We collaborate particularly closely at transition time to ensure that all pupils feel secure in their move to secondary school and that they start Year 7 feeling confident they are learning in a familiar and reassuring environment.

OUR FAMILY OF SCHOOLS

Comberton Village College is proud to be part of The Cam Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust with schools in South Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon and one just over the Bedfordshire border.

Currently (from September 2024) we have seven primary phase schools, four secondary schools and three sixth forms. These are:

Primary Phase

Everton Heath Primary School

Gamlingay Village Primary

Hartford Infant and Preschool (Huntingdon)

Hartford Junior School (Huntingdon)

Jeavons Wood Primary School (Cambourne)

Offord Primary School

Thongsley Fields Primary and Nursery School (Huntingdon)

Secondary

Cambourne Village College

Comberton Village College

Melbourn Village College

St Peter’s School (Huntingdon)

Sixth Forms

Cambourne Sixth Form

Comberton Sixth Form

St Peter’s Sixth Form

Our family of schools gives us a fantastic opportunity to guide children on their educational journey from aged 3 to 18 with our commitment to ‘Excellence for All’.

Claire Heald CEO, The Cam Academy Trust

Every single pupil is supported to achieve their very best and be well prepared for the future.

The Trust is headed by our CEO Claire Heald, who joined us in 2024.

Our staff work closely together, sharing best practice to ensure the best possible education for all pupils.

Our aim is a simple one – we want educational excellence for all, with our academies working at the heart of, and serving, their local communities.

OUR CORE PRINCIPLES

At the heart of The Cam Academy Trust are six principles which drive everything we do. These are:

The excellence principle – educational provision must be excellent for all pupils in all our schools.

The comprehensive principle – our schools welcome all pupils, whatever their starting points and abilities.

The broad education principle – education in our schools is broadly based and should incorporate a wide educational experience for all pupils, including strong provision of the arts, sport, physical education and technology as well as academic subjects.

The community principle – our schools should sit at the heart of their communities and provide for more than just the pupils.

You can read more about our principles and values on the Trust website at www.catrust.co.uk 1 3 2 4 5 6

The partnership principle – we expect our schools to work in partnership with others for mutual benefit, not just within the Trust but with others locally and nationally, as well as with other organisations.

The international principle – all our schools should have a clear international emphasis in their provision both within and beyond the formal curriculum.