CVC

[Helenjohanna]

Hello everyone. Is Comberton Village College still highly regarded? The last Ofsted report is very old now, and the published results are two years old. I have read through dozens of threads on this website, but most of it is getting old now. I wondered what the current state of play is.

I know from hearsay that parents have sent children miles to attend the school. We’d have to commit to a lengthy bus journey each day, so I need to work out whether it’s worth it or whether we’re better off staying local.

For those whose children do travel from some distance, does this affect their social lives and extra curricular activities?

PS private messages are welcome too. I’d love to hear from anyone who knows the school :-)

We moved our eldest from a well regarded private in Cambridge to CVC halfway through year 8 (he is year 10 now) and we have been so impressed. Absolutely no regrets whatsoever and honestly feel like our children are getting a better education there. Teachers are fantastic and do genuinely care about each student. We’re in catchment so it was easy enough for us to get a place.

Our second child is in year 8 too. They are both very happy there and are doing well academically. Have found it to be a lot more caring and really well organised compared to the previous school. There are definitely quite a few out of catchment (it is a big school!) although I do know of one parent who has had their child on the waiting list for around a year now and although they already have an older sibling at the school they haven’t been offered a place yet.

I would definitely recommend the school 100% though if it is an option.

I also don't know of any other parents who have been unhappy with the school personally. Have only heard good reports all round from others.

Okay, thank you. So it’s still clearly an excellent school.

In January, we have to choose a middle or primary, and I’m really hoping that there are actual open evenings this year so that we can get a feel for all the schools. We’re basically choosing our upper or secondary, in effect.

CVC is quite some distance - a ten minute drive to the bus stop, then a 40 minute ride on the bus. And we’d be paying for the bus, which would be hundreds of pounds.

I go around in circles with this!

I'd suggest you check whether your DC is likely to get in if you live some distance away. The furthest distance for out of catchment children has got a lot shorter over the last few years so it might not be an option anyway.

@CarrotCakeMuffins

I'd suggest you check whether your DC is likely to get in if you live some distance away. The furthest distance for out of catchment children has got a lot shorter over the last few years so it might not be an option anyway.

He can (potentially; not guaranteed). He can attend a feeder school.

It's just whether the difficult logistics and cost are worthwhile. Lots of thinking to do between now and January!

OK then, that sounds promising :). I have 1 DC there. They have been very happy and are doing well. I've also been happy with the school and pastoral support has been great too.

40 mins on the bus sounds OK - the catchment is quite large and spread out so lots of stops to pick up children makes a short journey take much longer than it would by car. Check with the lady who organises the buses that you would likely be able to get a place on the bus - some are quite full, and priority goes to catchment children first as they automatically get seats.

They had a virtual (I think) open evening last year. Maybe this year it'll be a real one. Date is normally first Thursday in October, so probably 7th this year.

In terms of extra-curricular and social stuff, you do have to be able to accommodate this, or say they can't do anything after school - there used to be quite a lot of lunchtime activities (but not this year) as most children do go on buses.
The catchment is also quite large so friends can live some distance away, especially if you're both out of catchment but in opposite directions from the school....

Remember you get 3 choices, so worth applying if you like it. Good luck

So, if he did after school clubs, I'd need to collect him?

I presume I'd have to pay for the bus anyway though? I wouldn't be able to pay ad hoc or just for days I need?

I watched the virtual open evening and really liked what the head said. I like how ambitious for the children the school is.

My dc both went there and their pastoral care was outstanding.

Although mine have left, I have several friends who still have children there and a few of my friends work there. From what I understand it is still a very good school.

Re school buses - you pay per term for a pass for that term. Its a fixed cost for a specific bus - some buses have different costs to others.
If your DC want to stay for an after school activity, they will need another way to get home (someone collects them).
All buses leave at 3pm, after school finishes at 2:50pm.

On the plus side, they did refund bus passes when schools were closed during lockdown.

If you live on the No 18 bus route then your dc can get home later if they stay for clubs

I'll check, Emma. Thank you.

From memory CVC is oversubscribed so being in a feeder school probably won't be enough.

Also, while it has had a good name I think it would be madness to travel that kind of distance to get there unless the more local schools are rubbish. It's not THAT good! What are your more local schools?

Sunny360 as a parent who moved their child from a private school into the state system I would like to echo your sentiments. The private school we were at was all sport and had a great live of low maintenance kids. If my DS needed help with anything from feelings to shoelaces it was way too much trouble. They seemed to actively dislike that he was brighter than average. State schools are completely different from that and inclusive.

Apols for any thread hijack

It has been enough so far for others, but I appreciate your point and things might change.

To be honest, the comments about buses and after school clubs have made me realise that it probably isn't viable logistically. I'm starting a full time job in London next week, so I will be much less available for chauffeuring duties. I think we will have to stick to our local Upper (soon to be secondary), which is nowhere near the level of CVC, but so be it. We still have time to consider options, and CVC remains in the back of my mind.