Sawston Village College
Academy in Sawston, Cambridgeshire, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sawston Village College is an academy school in Sawston, Cambridgeshire, England. It was the first community college and Village College in the country, and is currently the Sunday Times State 11-16 Secondary School of the Year.[1] It was founded in 1930[2] and realised the vision of Henry Morris, then Chief Education Officer for Cambridgeshire.[3]
| Sawston Village College | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
 | |
New Road , , CB22 3BP England 52°07′35″N 0°09′49″E | |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Motto | CARE |
| Established | 1930 |
| Founder | Henry Morris |
Local authority | Cambridgeshire County Council |
| 136775 Tables | |
| Ofsted | Reports |
Headteacher | Jonathan Russell |
| Staff | 110 |
| Gender | coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 16 |
| Enrolment | 1060 |
| Colours | Burgundy, White |
| Website | http://www.sawstonvc.org/ |
History
Sawston Village College was opened in 1930, the first of the village colleges instigated by Henry Morris. Its circa 1030 pupils aged 11 – 16[4] share the campus with adults who come to the college for a range of purposes: education, socialising, leisure and sports.[5]
The college also has the only youth-led cinema in the country. Its pupils take responsibility for the function of the cinema – front of house, projection and business planning; offering regular screenings to the local community.[6]
On 1 June 2011, Sawston Village College gained academy status, effectively ending Cambridgeshire County Council's control and funding of the school.[7]
On 6 September 2012, 14:15 BST, one wing of the original college building was devastated by a fire. The Walnut gallery, Main Staff Room, and Sawston Public Library were destroyed, and the Henry Morris Hall was flooded from the hosepipes.[8] The staff evacuated the pupils. Everyone was accounted for, and there were no casualties. The incident is thought to have been an act of arson.[9]
Sawston Village College was crowned the UK's State 11-16 Secondary School of the Year by the Sunday Times 32nd edition[10] in 2024.[11]
Notable alumni
- Heather Craney – Actress
- Peter Steinberg – USA Rugby Head Coach
- Ray Freeman – English Footballer
- Steven Mackintosh - Actor
- Michael Birch – Founder of Bebo.
- Mark Bonner - Football Manager
Feeder schools
Children from the following schools generally start attending Sawston Village College at age 11:
- Bellbird Primary School, Sawston
- Icknield Primary School, Sawston
- Babraham CofE Primary School
- William Westley Primary School, Whittlesford
- Duxford Primary School
- Stapleford Primary School
- Great and Little Shelford Primary School
- Fawcett Primary School
Destination Schools
Students continuing in Further Education beyond 16 generally attend one of the following: