Sawston Village College

[Cambmuser]

Hi
We are choosing a secondary school at the moment, and I am hearing very mixed things from parents about this school, which is making me think twice. Does anyone have a child there? What is your feeling about the general atmosphere, the leadership etc.?

Thanks!

School experience can be so different from child to child that I hesitate to answer that.

DS absolutely, unequivocally loved it. He moved there in year 8 from a different school and it was the best thing we could have done for him (though his two favourite teachers are leaving this year). He cried had a terrible case of hayfever on leaving this summer.

DD is happy enough there in a less enthusiastic, 'it's fiiine, honestly mum stop asking questions' sort of way. Hard to know if she'd be better elsewhere or is just being teenage.

Bullying: there was some. DS reluctantly told the staff. The response was brisk, no nonsense and very effective. When DS himself transgressed he was sharply pulled to order and never dared do it again (quite interesting to see it from both sides in succession).

Atmosphere: ours have found it great, masses of opportunities, too many lunch clubs to go to them all. Feels lively yet calm in lessons I've visited. I've felt welcomed by most staff, and they respond to emails very quickly.

Leadership is harder to answer, but I like the head's style when reducing stroppy 13-yr-old boys to size!

Good luck with your choice. Where else are you considering?

Thanks so much for this Tingalingle, it's reassuring. I have heard from other parents that the response to problems is very swift as well.
DD wants to go there because her friends are applying. Our other options are Melbourn and Comberton.
I can't really decide how important it is to be with your friends. I wonder if, in the long run, she won't feel a bit lost in the crowd in such a large school?
I heard there was a huge staff turnover at Sawston this summer, which didn't seem like a very good sign.

Yes, several of our favourite teachers are leaving Sawston. I'm hoping it's not a bad sign, though. At least one was headhunted for elsewhere, and the inspirational music and drama teachers are finally retiring at 60 after many years of service (I did try to tell them they couldn't go till DD left), but their replacements seem pretty enthusiastic.

I've had a child through Comberton as well, as it happens! You know it's much larger, around 1700 strong at present? (Don't stand near the doorway at 3 pm or you'll be flattened.)

The word around here used to be that you'd be mad to turn down Comberton if it's a realistic option, and certainly it's a very good school, though results are boosted by its proportion of pushy well-educated parents.

Teaching at Comberton has mostly been great, though DS had one truly, truly incompetent Maths teacher. That's the trouble with trying to assess a school -- it depends on which set of teachers your child gets, and also hugely depends on what your child is like. Our Comberton child is a quiet, nervy, anxious type who hates group activities. The Sawston pair are into everything, so the impression I get is of a much livelier school life.

Oh, on being lost in a crowd? I don't think it happens as much as you'd think. Sawston and Comberton both split the year group into two and timetable them so separately for the first couple of years that it's like having two half-size schools on one site.

I've just had a nosy at the Melbourn website and see that it's about to join the Steve Munday empire Comberton Academy trust. Hmm. While that could mean it's about to become much better run, it might give you some pause for thought.

Hi Tingalingle
Yes, I think Melbourn have been part of the Comberton Academy Trust for the last year. It's brought about quite a few changes, and this year's GCSE results were better than Sawston's.
DD does really well academically but is not super confident and easily intimidated by older children, so am not sure where is best. Sounds like Comberton is not the perfect solution on that score. You are helping me feel better about Sawston!

If she goes to Sawston, I'll ask DD not to intimidate her . She's rather tall and does tend to loom.

If she goes to Comberton not knowing anyone there, give them a call and ask for extra care when settling in. They take very good care of their children, honestly.

Sounds like Melbourn is on the up, though I doubt even the Munday Empire can claim all the credit for this year's improvements -- after all, most of the groundwork will already have happened. And '5% improvement' in a small school means 5 more children got five A* to C this year than last. Small number do funny things to statistics.

tingalingle you sound a bit negative about comberton ("used to be..." Etc). Are you able to share any more thoughts? Am considering Comberton next year for DD1.

Sorry, wasn't at all meaning to be negative about Comberton! 'Used to be' just meant that it's a while since DS started there (to a chorus of 'Bloody hell, how did you wangle that then?'), and as we're way, way out of catchment I don't know how it's currently viewed by other parents.

Thanks for clarifying!

Frankly, if the worst DS can grumble about after all these years is one dodgy maths teacher and 'too much boring corporate-speak' from the head, I wouldn't worry too much!

Hi, sorry to but in here but in my (very limited experience) Comberton VC has been great for my nerdy, unconfident, shy boy, who has blossomed there. I haven't got experience of elsewhere, so can't say if it's better or worse than anywhere else, but my ds has had a very positive experience with their pastoral care.

When I was worried about him going to such a big school, a (teacher) friend pointed out that in a small secondary he might be the only boy in the year who hated footie and loved lego, but in a big school he was bound to find some like minded friends, which is exactly what happened. Also, although all his primary class went to CVC, within a few months he had made a completely new set of friends which I think is quite common, so it doesn't matter as much if they are not at the same secondary as their friends.

I have some friends with dc at Sawston, and hear mixed reports. But I think that's the same with any school. The best thing to do is to go to the open evenings, have a look round and get a feel for the schools. TBH, all the schools in South Cambs are pretty good. We're a bit spoilt for choice!

That's an interesting point Mrs Growbag about the benefits of a large school - and it's worth bearing in mind for DS who will move up next, who is not at all interested in the usual male pursuits of football, Minecraft etc.

Went to Melbourn's open evening last night. I liked the school a lot but don't have anything to compare it with yet; will be visiting Sawston later this week, and Comberton next.

So what did you decide Cambmuser?