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Cottenham Village College
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Secondary

Cottenham Village College

Cambridge, United Kingdom
32 Verified Reviews
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Verified Parents
2.3 /5

32 verified reviews

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About Cottenham Village College

A highly-successful 11-16 mixed academy situated close to the beautiful city of Cambridge; here you will find hard-working, well-behaved students and friendly, dedicated staff who are committed to a fully inclusive, comprehensive education.

Photos of Cottenham Village College 11

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Key Facts

Founded 1963
Head/Principal Mrs Zoe Andrews

Rating Breakdown

Based on verified reviews
Safety & Security 2.4
Teaching Quality 2.2
Communication 2.5
Student Wellbeing 2.9
Facilities 2.6

School Workforce

Teacher and staff information • 2024-2025

Note: These figures are estimated based on national averages. Actual school-level data not yet available.
17.0:1
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Excellent
51.6
Teachers (FTE)

Estimated workforce data based on GIAS enrollment and national average ratios. Academic year 2024-2025.

Secondary School Results (Key Stage 4)

Exam performance data • 2023-2024

50.8
Attainment 8
Average grade across 8 subjects
+0.26
Progress 8
Above average
59.4%
English & Maths 9-5
Strong pass in both
74.7%
English & Maths 9-4
Standard pass in both

Additional Information

50.6% entered EBacc
40.6% achieved EBacc
170 pupils in cohort

Data from DfE Performance Tables for academic year 2023-2024. Published January 2024. View full performance tables

Reviews 32

A
Anonymous
Parent Oct 4, 2025
1.0

"CvC is really bad"

The food is so overpriced it put my parents in debt now we’re homeless and the safeguarding team yeah right more like the C1 team every day it seems like I get a complementary detention for being a good person and telling the truth and I take 1 step off my bus and I get greeted by the school motto TUCK YOUR SHIRT IN CHILD
Then Miss Goudie will sit on you and fart
They don’t even let you get on ur bus you have to wait and I’ve missed my bus many times because they didn’t let me get on while other kids can get on
The facilities are so poor 10 girls hair has been burned off from a Bunsen burner ( at least the staff put bleach in it so it can grow back ). I put my pen on my table and I breaks in half my friend sat on their chair and the top of the chair flew off and they hit
there head on.the desk and fell unconscious
I got sent out my class the other day for saying hello sir how’s your day going
The uniform is so expensive and why so fancy we’re not in private school we’re in a prison it cost £400 for my uniform which on my first day I got suspended for a month for my bag having a logo on it then I got back then when I came back I got scolded for missing school cuz they expelled me .
You have to come into school even if you have stage four cancer we had nine people die the other day and the teacher just said to walk it off and they say it’s not a big deal
All the teachers do is scroll TikTok and pick their nose all day and if you ask to go to the toilet you get a nice response that is !NO! WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS BREAK TIME and at break they close all toilets so no-one can go they make you pee yourself. I asked one of the teachers if they would stop committing felonies and they thought it was a joke. Miss Wynn and Mr Kirby carried tho
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Jan 25, 2025
1.0

"Discrimination rife in this school."

Inept senior leadership team. Disability discrimination rife. No understanding of children and their mental health. More interested in what students are wearing than providing a nurturing and safe learning environment. No accountability for mistakes. Principal Zoe Andrews is dishonest in her communications and clearly on a power trip.
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 3/5
Communication 3/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Jan 1, 2025
1.0

"terrible school"

this school is just generally really bad.
all they care about is your uniform and if you have your socks in the correct colour, dare and wear white socks you will be in detention within seconds, if you are not wearing the correct uniform they will give you uniform from the school and make you change.
they don't care how you feel, how your doing, if you're struggling with anything or not what they care about is how you present the school, they expect 11-15 year olds (literally just teenagers) to behave at all times, and to do everything perfectly without any mistakes.
if you try and defend yourself while getting told off they will tell you "stop talking back" when all you are trying to do is get out of trouble by simply stating what actually happened.
this school needs to improve or just be shut down already
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 2/5
Communication 3/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 3/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Oct 23, 2024
1.0

"This school is going to get shut down soon"

I’m currently in year 10 and this school is horrible the current head teacher only comes out her office if there are visitors to the school it is also far to small for the amount of kids that attend the school also the most the teachers only care about results as all the good teachers have left because of how bad the school is teachers also refuse to listen to you when you are trying to talk to them about any school rules not to mention the article Cambridgeshire live wrote about this uniform problems
Safety & Wellbeing 2/5
Teaching & Learning 2/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Oct 23, 2024
1.0

"hair in food 😡"

hair in my food 😡😡 I will NOT be having hair in my food that's is UNACCPECTABLE
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Sep 21, 2024
3.0

"Tis time for ADVENTURE"

An Epic Review of Cottenham Village College: The Adventure Awaits

In the heart of Cambridgeshire, nestled between rolling fields and the whispers of ancient history, stands a school unlike any other—Cottenham Village College. But this is no mere institution of learning; it is a crucible of adventure, where every student embarks on a heroic journey from the moment they pass through its legendary gates. This is not a review of a school. No, this is a tale of valor, wisdom, and the trials that forge young minds into legends.

The Realm of Cottenham: A Place of Discovery
At first glance, Cottenham Village College may appear like a typical school, but look closer and you'll find a realm teeming with possibilities. The school’s sprawling grounds are more than mere buildings—they are the battlegrounds where students face their greatest adversaries: ignorance, doubt, and the looming specter of unfinished homework.

The classrooms are not just rooms, but arenas of intellect where the clash of ideas resonates like the ringing of steel. In every lesson, whether it’s Mathematics or English, History or Science, the students are called to prove their worth. The teachers, wise sages in their own right, do not simply impart knowledge—they issue quests. Each lesson is a map, leading to hidden treasures of understanding and mastery, with the students themselves cast as valiant heroes on the hunt for truth.

The Trials of Learning: A Hero’s Path
Every day at Cottenham Village College is a test of endurance and willpower. The bell rings not as a signal to begin class, but as a trumpet announcing the start of the day’s challenges. The quests are many and varied: the Pythagorean Quest in Mathematics, the Narrative Saga in English, the Chemical Trials in Science. Each subject is a different domain within this vast kingdom, ruled by its own arcane laws and logic.

Math lessons are not just about numbers—they’re the deciphering of ancient codes, the solving of riddles left by wise scholars of old. Science is no simple subject, but an alchemical pursuit, where experiments are the forging of new paths in the elemental world. In History, students are time travelers, uncovering the tales of ancient civilizations and forgotten empires, learning the lessons of those who came before.

And let us not forget the Library, a place that rivals the legendary archives of Alexandria, where students seek sacred texts (and probably some YA fiction) to aid them in their quests.

The Fellowship: Friends and Allies
As every adventurer knows, no journey is undertaken alone. At Cottenham Village College, students do not simply sit side by side—they form fellowships, bound together by common trials and shared victories. Together they face group projects, collaborative assignments, and the fearsome school plays where courage is tested onstage before the entire school.

Friendships forged here are not just fleeting bonds, but alliances made in the heat of scholarly battle. Lunch breaks in the Great Hall (also known as the cafeteria) are not mere moments of rest, but gatherings of strategists and warriors, sharing tales of their battles with algebra, recounting the heroic victories in last week’s debate, or planning their next assault on the dreaded pop quiz.

The Masters: Guides Along the Journey
No epic journey would be complete without mentors—those wise guides who push heroes to their limits, only to reveal the strength they had within all along. At Cottenham Village College, the teachers are the true masters of this domain. Whether they wield whiteboards or projectors, they are the ones who shape the futures of their students with words of wisdom and, occasionally, mysterious homework assignments.

Take, for example, the Masters of Mathematics—strategists and number-wielders whose minds are sharp as blades. Or the Elders of English, whose command of language is so vast they can transport their students into worlds unknown, through the power of storytelling alone. The scientists, those alchemists of knowledge, concoct their experiments like wizards summoning unseen forces.

But even the strongest students will encounter failure on this path. There will be battles lost—homework forgotten, tests failed—but it is here, in these moments of defeat, that the true strength of Cottenham’s students is revealed. For no hero rises without first stumbling, and the teachers here understand this well. They guide, support, and challenge, ensuring that each student leaves stronger than when they arrived.

The Arena: Sports and Combat
Beyond the classroom, Cottenham Village College has its own proving grounds: the sports fields. Here, students test their physical limits, learning the art of teamwork and discipline. Whether on the football pitch, the basketball court, or in the athletic competitions, these arenas echo with the cheers of victory and the groans of near-defeat.

P.E. lessons are not mere exercises—they are training sessions for warriors in the making. The dodgeball games are reminiscent of battles from ancient myth, where agility and strategy are as important as strength. And in each game, a new hero rises, determined to prove their worth.

The Final Exam: The Ultimate Test
Every adventure must come to an end, and for the students of Cottenham Village College, the final year is the ultimate trial. The GCSEs (General Certificates of Scholarly Excellence, as they are known in this epic realm) loom like a dragon guarding the treasure trove of academic achievement. Only those who have honed their skills over the years, mastered their subjects, and shown true courage will survive.

In the weeks leading up to these exams, the students undergo their final tests of perseverance and intellect. The teachers, now more like battle-hardened generals, give their last pieces of advice before sending their young warriors off to face the trials alone.

Conclusion: A Legend in the Making
Cottenham Village College is no ordinary school—it is a land of adventure, where students become legends in their own right. Each student, upon walking through its gates, begins their own personal epic. And while some may falter and others may triumph, all will leave having been shaped by the challenges they faced.

So, if you seek an adventure unlike any other, a place where learning is not just a chore but a quest, and where every student can become the hero of their own story—then Cottenham Village College awaits. Its gates are always open to those brave enough to answer the call.
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 2/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 4/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Sep 21, 2024
3.0

"A school"

Review of Cottenham Village College: An In-Depth Exploration of Every Possible Aspect

When I first heard about Cottenham Village College, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Cambridgeshire, it's a school that, on the surface, seems much like any other. But is it? I spent considerable time contemplating, reading, and observing from afar before deciding to write this extensive and ultimately circular review of what is, by all accounts, a functioning school in the United Kingdom. Let's dive in, shall we?

The Location: It Exists, and It's in Cottenham
Cottenham Village College, as the name suggests, is situated in Cottenham, a village that’s undoubtedly a part of the world we live in. The village itself is there—trees, buildings, streets, and probably a post office. It exists in time and space, and I can confidently say it is geographically situated in the right place. Whether you’re driving, walking, or arriving by some other means of transportation, you will indeed find yourself at the college if that is your intended destination. I think this is a crucial point that cannot be understated.

The Building: Yes, There Are Walls
The school buildings are, as far as I could tell, made of materials that one would expect buildings to be made of. Bricks, glass, and steel all come together to form what we know as a "building." It has walls, and these walls seem sturdy. The doors? Functional. The windows? Transparent. The roof? Firmly above your head. All in all, it meets the standard criteria of a building and goes beyond by having rooms inside where things happen—like learning, perhaps, or just sitting around.

The Students: They Are There
Students attend Cottenham Village College, and this is a key part of what makes it a school. These students range in age, as students often do, and they seem to exist within the bounds of the student-teacher relationship. What struck me was the sheer variety of students. Some had backpacks; others did not. Some were walking in groups; others walked alone. This diversity of movement is not unique to Cottenham Village College, but it is certainly present.

What are the students like? Well, they look like students. Some wear uniforms, which could be considered clothing, and they walk from one class to another as students tend to do. I didn’t ask any of them what they thought about the school because that didn’t seem necessary. The fact that they were there spoke volumes. Are they learning? I can’t say for sure, but something must be happening.

The Teachers: People Who Teach
Teachers at Cottenham Village College fulfill their roles as educators. They stand in front of classrooms, sometimes with chalk, sometimes with markers, and impart knowledge or, at the very least, information. What do they teach? A variety of subjects, I imagine, though I didn’t ask. I can confidently say that lessons are being delivered, whether in maths, science, English, or something else entirely. These teachers are professionals in the sense that they are paid to do what they do, and the students listen, or at least they seem to.

The Curriculum: What You Would Expect
Like all schools, Cottenham Village College has a curriculum. Whether that curriculum is cutting-edge or utterly average is a mystery I have yet to solve. I assume it involves standard academic subjects like English, mathematics, and the sciences. I suspect there are history lessons, maybe some physical education, and likely a bit of art thrown in for good measure. The important takeaway here is that learning, in one form or another, probably occurs.

How well is the curriculum delivered? Well, that’s something I cannot say with certainty, having never attended a single lesson. But I did observe students walking in and out of classrooms, which is a positive sign that things are happening. And isn’t that, in the end, the essence of education? Things happening?

The Atmosphere: People Are There
The atmosphere of Cottenham Village College is undeniably atmospheric. You can feel the sense of schoolness in the air. It’s a place where things have a certain texture and tone that can only be described as “school-like.” There are hallways, which are ideal for walking through, and classrooms, which are ideal for sitting in. There is a canteen where food is consumed, which is exactly what you would expect in such a location.

The vibe is neither too exciting nor too dull. It's just there—calm, collected, and precisely what one imagines when they think of "school atmosphere." It exists in a state of relative calm punctuated by the occasional ringing of a bell, which presumably signals something like the end of a class period.

Extracurricular Activities: Probably Happening
Cottenham Village College, like many schools, likely offers extracurricular activities. What those activities are, I didn’t bother to find out. Perhaps there is a football team or a drama club. Maybe they have a debating society or a chess club. The possibilities are endless, though realistically, they are probably finite. Whatever the case, I am sure that students can engage in something beyond academics if they choose to.

These activities are likely structured and occur at regular intervals, possibly after school hours. It is important to recognize that the mere potential for extracurricular involvement is a positive feature, even if I didn’t personally witness any activities taking place.

Conclusion: A School That Is Definitely There
In conclusion, Cottenham Village College is a school. It’s there, it’s functional, and students attend. There are teachers, lessons, and a general sense of learning in the air. While I can’t confirm the effectiveness of the education or the happiness of the students and staff, I can confidently say that Cottenham Village College exists and operates as one might expect a school to do.

Is it the best school in the world? I don't know. Is it the worst? Unlikely. But Cottenham Village College stands as a testament to what a school can be: a place where people go to learn—or at least to be present while learning happens around them. If you’re looking for a school that fits all the necessary criteria of “being a school,” Cottenham Village College will meet your expectations.
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 3/5
Communication 3/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 3/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Oct 19, 2023
4.0

"Lovely School"

Absolutely amazing school. I couldn't be happier teaching here. The students are all lovely, the staff as well.

Lessons are well planned out and the children understand what is expected of them. Great behaviour policies in place as well!
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 4/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Apr 16, 2023
1.0

"DO NOT Recommend! "

Hateful school! I Don't recommend, teachers are meant to help students and inspire whilst the teachers here are doing the opposite!! They are just walking around letting their anger out on kids still learning.
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Apr 16, 2023
3.0

"Do not recommend! "

The school meals are great but the teachers aren't, teachers are meant to help students and inspire whilst the teacher here are doing the complete opposite.
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Mar 7, 2023
1.0

"Looking to move my child to another school "

Kids are not allowed to be kids. They are treated unfairly and will be suspended for silly reasons. School unable to.advise where my child's send funding is going and grades have dropped year on year. She is very unhappy along with many other children who attend
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 2/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 2/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Feb 7, 2023
1.0

"Failure!!"

Awful school! Send department is a complete joke! No care at all for students, no one listens to the young persons voice!
Always passing the buck - not my job, I’m new in post!!
Failed my daughter from day 1!
Not organisation, no continuity, no care, no respect for parent views or students! Just worried about ticking boxes and getting everyone to fit into them! If you don’t then they disregard you and ignore you! Shocking!! I would not recommend!! Keep your kids away from this toxic environment!!
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Feb 7, 2023
1.0

"Psychological abuse, and failure of SEND"

As a former parent nothing to do with current situation has changed.

The school is appalling. They fail in identifying students who present with difficulties and they’re written off with bad behaviour!

Two children of the sane family soul destroyed by sheer ineptitude. Get staff who are qualified not flaming wannabe MP status snob teachers or teachers who are past their prime!
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Jan 10, 2023
5.0

"Cool school!"

A certain head of a subject at this point in time is awesome, a certain form likes them very much, the school is amazing, thanks :)
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 4/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Nov 30, 2022
1.0

"worst school "

noone is taking care of one of the biggest problem that is in this school which is bullying. Every single day lots of students are getting bullying or harassed and noone has a word about it. I can't even remember how many times we've those things to the principal but nothing changed.. It's just disappointing
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 3/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 2/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Oct 21, 2022
1.0

"School refuses to investigate complaints "

Want to make it clear I'm a parent not a student. I have today had to speak with my local mp as the school refuse to speak with me about a complaint I have made regarding a teacher. Rather ties with the extremely worrying review below. I'm now extra worried. My younger children will attend this school over my dead body
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 2/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Oct 2, 2022
1.0

"Don’t care about mental health."

Left a few years back. Some great staff and also some very untrained staff. The school is not fit to deal with mental health and in all is more worried about uniform over their’ students actual well being. There was the odd teacher who actually cared and was willing to be there but there were too few like this for the school to be considered a good place to learn. At best the school was poor.
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 3/5
E
Emily D
Parent Sep 15, 2022
5.0

"Excellent all-round experience"

My children love Cottenham Village College! The facilities are amazing and the staff are always supportive. They really live by the values of inclusivity and hard work, and my kids have thrived here.
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 5/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Jul 3, 2022
1.0

"stay away"

overall not a very good school. a few of the teachers aren't nice, they're overly strict and they will humiliate you in front of the class if you don't know the answer to a question they ask. i'm not sure why they do this, maybe they think it'll encourage the students to work harder. but it doesn't work, and it just lowers the student's self esteem. as well as this, they don't deal with bullying.
Safety & Wellbeing 2/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 3/5
A
Anonymous
Parent Jul 1, 2022
1.0

"bad school "

awful school. i attended and was forced to move schools due to being raped on a school trip. nothing was done to the student not even a talk so they completely got away with it. this is not only the schools fault but also the police forces'. its an unfair school with obvious favourites. now they make the children do "drills" as if they are in some sort of army camp just to show authority. its humiliating and not a good learning environment. not only this, but the new head is no where to be seen.
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5
Facilities 2/5

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