Comberton Village College

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE CAM ACADEMY TRUST

West Street, Comberton, Cambridge, CB23 7DU

01223 262503 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 19 November 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths59%England 45% · 2024/25
9th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 80% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,981Room for 1,700 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,795 in 2019, 1,957 in 2021, 1,940 in 2022, 1,935 in 2023, 1,930 in 2024, 1,962 in 2025, 1,981 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.1309 for 281 places, September 2026
7th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 74% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 19 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

452 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Cambridge comparisons use the 13 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolCambridgeEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 5th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge.
Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
90% 82% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
4th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge.
Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92% 85% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
5th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge.
Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85% 75% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 129 parents whose child had been bullied
6th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge.
Higher than 59% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
53% 47% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 316 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 3rd highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge.
Higher than 77% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 70% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 111 parents of children with SEND
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge.
Higher than 85% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79% 62% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 3rd highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge.
Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
90%said yes 79% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 23%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Cambridge figures pool parents at the Cambridge schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

297 pupils in this year group.

59% — 9 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCambridgeshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 59% 50% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 55.7 48.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.0 4.4 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% 80% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 59%This school 2023/24: 66%This school 2024/25: 59% This school England 45% 2022/23 59% 2023/24 66% 2024/25 59%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

290 pupils in this year group.

99% — 6 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 7 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 41%36%17%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolCambridgeshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 99% 93% 92%
School sixth form 41% 24% 34%
Sixth form college 36% 32% 13%
Further education college 17% 29% 37%
Apprenticeship 1% 3% 3%
Work 3% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%99%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

178 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolCambridgeshireEngland
Average A level grade B- B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 29% 32% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 62% 60% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 37.8 37.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 36.6This school 2023/24: 34.7This school 2024/25: 37.8 This school England 35 2022/23 36.6 2023/24 34.7 2024/25 37.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

28 subjects, 546 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 58 17% 43% 40%
Physics 47 6% 23% 31%
Biology 41 7% 24% 27%
Chemistry 37 8% 27% 30%
Psychology 37 3% 24% 19%
Business Studies:Single 29 7% 17% 16%
English Language 27 4% 11% 13%
Sociology 26 23% 27% 20%
History 25 4% 28% 23%
Economics 24 4% 25% 26%
Art and Design (Photography) 20 35% 70% 26%
Computer Studies / Computing 20 5% 35% 24%
Mathematics (Further) 18 6% 39% 59%
Art and Design 15 33% 60% 34%
Geography 15 0% 7% 23%
Film Studies 14 7% 7% 17%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 14 7% 21% 17%
Drama and Theatre Studies 13 8% 38% 19%
English Literature 13 8% 15% 23%
Government and Politics 13 0% 15% 26%
Spanish 10 10% 30% 34%
Art and Design (Graphics) 9 11% 56% 32%
Religious Studies 7 14% 29% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, Music Technology, Music, Turkish, German.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

231 students in this year group.

90% — 7 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCambridgeshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 90% 83% 79%
Apprenticeship 5% 6% 7%
Work 24% 35% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
87%90%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

244 students in this year group.

69% — 7 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 9 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCambridgeshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 69% 62% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 30% 26% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
75%69%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cambridgeshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered281
Families who put it first309
Of those, offered a place277 (90%)
Families who listed it at all607

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.1

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Cambridgeshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 50 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolCambridgeshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
17th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 11% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.3% 23.3%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
3rd highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
7.6% 4.3%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
18th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.4% 11.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
14th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.5% 14.3%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
5th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Lower than 74% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.9% 8.3%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Lower than 85% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
15.1% 20.7%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
6th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Lower than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.9 13.6 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
1.8% 5.4% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.06% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
12th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 41% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.4 16.9 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
17th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.0 11.8 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
18th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge.
Higher than 15% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
7.6% 16.5%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).

Questions parents ask

What is Comberton Village College's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 19 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Comberton Village College do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 59% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Comberton Village College?

90% of the 452 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Comberton Village College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Comberton Village College oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 309 families put Comberton Village College as their first choice for 281 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 277 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.