'Welcoming' Cambridgeshire college rated 'Outstanding' in recent Ofsted inspection

Staff and pupils at a Cambridgeshire college are celebrating after receiving a glowing report from Ofsted. Swavesey Village College, on Gibraltar Lane, was rated 'Outstanding' in all five key areas.

The school is part of the Meridian Trust and was their most recent inspection since converting into an academy in 2011. It caters for students between the ages of 11 and 16.

Inspectors visited the school in January and May 2024. They praised it for being a "welcoming and inclusive school" and highlighted the curriculum for personal development, describing it as "exemplary".

Read more: Cambridgeshire special school told it 'requires improvement' for first time

Read more: Cambridgeshire college where pupils are 'well cared for' sees improved Ofsted rating

The report added: "The school is a supportive community that pupils enjoy attending. They benefit from positive working relationships with adults and learn in a safe environment. Behaviour is calm and orderly. Pupils are friendly and polite.

"There is a wide and interesting range of GCSE and equivalent courses from which pupils can choose. High proportions of pupils choose ambitious courses, such as languages. Subject leaders identify what pupils should learn and when."

Praise was also given for the range of clubs offered, including robotics, rock climbing and multiple music bands. Staff and leaders were also praised for teaching the curriculum well and establishing clear expectations for behaviour.

Jim Stavrou, Headteacher of Swavesey Village College, said: "I am privileged to lead a team of excellent staff and students here at Swavesey Village College and we are all very proud of the findings of this report. Inspectors spent a considerable amount of time in lessons in a variety of subjects and spoke with many students, teachers, academy council members and trustees.

"As a result, this report is a strong reflection of the vision and quality of education we provide for all our students. I am delighted that inspectors praised not only our curriculum and quality of education, but have highlighted our safeguarding processes, the support we offer to our students with special educational needs and the highly positive outcomes our students gain during their time with us.

"This news is very positive, but we will not be complacent about the results of this inspection and will continue to strive to ensure that Swavesey Village College delivers the very best possible school experience for all students."

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Peterborough, Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.