Principal’s Welcome

Welcome to Sawston Village College, a 1130- pupil 11-16 mixed academy, 7 miles south of the iconic city of Cambridge and part of Anglian Learning, a highly successful school trust. We are a proud and happy College, fully committed to inclusive, comprehensive education for all.  Pupils and staff work hard together to achieve excellent academic outcomes and, as importantly, to do so in a safe, caring and supportive environment built on mutual respect. Our pupils are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and resilience. We want them to be ambitious for themselves and considerate of others, ready to succeed in life and to contribute positively to the wider community. 

The College was established in 1930, the first of the village colleges that were the inspiration of education pioneer Henry Morris.  Morris believed in the power of schools to transform their local communities by providing learning from cradle to grave – motivating and engaging learners of all ages and all abilities.

Taking part

The vision of Morris is still at the heart of our work today.  We are committed to ensuring our pupils leave the College able to play positive roles in their own communities as active and responsible citizens.  We help our pupils to take part. We share Morris’s belief that a school should be at the heart of its local community – and the local community at the heart of the school.  We have a successful adult learning programme and our very own cinema run by pupils with our inspirational Arts Development Manager.  We also have a popular, well-run, well-equipped sports centre which plays host to many clubs, children’s parties and events.

Aiming high

As a College, we are intent on unlocking the potential of all learners, creating opportunities for academic and personal growth and achieving excellence in all aspects of our work. It is our firm conviction that young people can achieve this in a school where everyone’s expectations of them are high, not only in academic terms but also in terms of their behaviour, their attitude to one another and to all adults who work with them. We help our pupils to aim high. By encouraging them to develop leadership skills, engage in debate and discussion, and to participate fully in the life of the College, we aim to help them become confident, resilient learners and respectful, thoughtful young adults.

Working hard

Improving the quality of teaching and learning is also central to our success.  We help our pupils to work hard. Our staff are professionals, interested in the best and current educational practice, informed by evidence-based research and keen to develop engaging and stimulating lessons.  Our curriculum is broad and balanced, ensuring pupils explore all disciplines, including the arts, sport and STEM. Our enrichment provision is equally strong, with an enviable reputation for music, sports and an impressive range of extracurricular activities.

Safeguarding is paramount, and investing in young people is very important to us; we understand and recognise the challenges they face. Therefore, we have a dedicated pastoral team, within a House and Year structure, which enables us to support pupils’ individual needs.   

Being kind

Sawston Village College is a friendly school, and a vibrant and positive place to learn and to work. We are proud of our Ofsted judgements and examination results that annually place us amongst the very best schools in Cambridgeshire but, more than this, we are proud of our pupils and of the values we hold dear. We help our pupils to be kind. 

I hope this website will give you an insight into these aims and values. If you would like to know more about our work, please do not hesitate to contact the College to arrange a tour with me or one of my senior colleagues.  We would love to show you around our school.

Jonathan Russell
Principal