Urgent: Secondary School Place in Sawston – Netherhall Offer, No Space at Sawston Village College

[SwastonMum]

Hi all,

We’ve just moved to Sawston and are in a bit of a panic about secondary school places for my daughter (going into Year 8). We live literally 0.5 miles from Sawston Village College (SVC), but they’ve said there are no places. Linton Village College is also full.
We’ve been offered a place at Netherhall School, but I’ve seen some really mixed/negative reviews online (behaviour, OFSTED, etc.), and I’m feeling very nervous. Private schools aren’t an option for us financially.
Has anyone got recent experience with Netherhall? Is it really as bad as some say, or are there positives? If we’re up against a wall, should we take it and try to transfer later? Or is there another option we’re missing (e.g., appealing SVC’s decision, other nearby schools with space)?
Any advice would be hugely appreciated – feeling really stressed about this!

Come to TCC. It’s surely a bit closer to you than Netherhall. And it’s no worse a school than Sawston. None of them are really though. This is the middle class leafy outskirts of Cambridge. Bad is a relative concept. There are no sink estates or major drug and knife crime issues. I would stress less and just send her where there are places.

Same situation - my son went to netherhall for 1 term and hated it then got into sawston which he liked and just finished. My other one didn't get into either and had to go to trumpington village college which had bad rep at the time - but has had a great time there and is doing really well (just going into y11). Does trumpington have spaces - it's nearer? I don't know the current rep of netherhall and I think it was bad luck that he didn't like it (though I think partly the problem was other kids thought it was weird he was coming from so far away)

How would she get to netherhall? My son cycled but we are nearer town (shelford). TCC is a pain in the ass to drive to in the mornings but just about cyclable from sawston.

There are buses. Many kids get the bus from Trumpington to Sawston so I would think you can go the opposite way. Or, as you say, very easy cycle on a dedicated cycle way

My children are at Netherhall and I don't have a bad word to say. They have made remarkable progress. I have had no concerns about behaviour or anything else. One has had excellent SEND support. The deputy heads in particular are excellent. I would choose over Sawston and I work in education and know the local trusts.

Also, the most recent Ofsteds for Sawston and Netherhall are equally good? Children are making more progress at Trumpington than either, however

My older DC was at Netherhall for Y7 and Y8. It was ok but not right for him (also COVID years didn't help). My younger DC just finished Y8 there and is thriving. Great friend group, good range of activities, and is doing extremely well academically. The school is fine - I've found it depends most on the kid, tbh. I have a friend who sent both DC to Sawston and thought it was ok. Lots of friends had their kids at Coleridge and also thought it was ok. I think you'd be fine to start your DC at Netherhall and move to Sawston if Netherhall doesn't suit, it stay there if it does. They're much of a muchness around here.

Thanks for all the reassuring Messages . I feel a bit relieved now . I will accept Neterhall . Commute is another concern . I guess if she is happy and make friends there , she wouldn't mind the commute . Thanks for all your valuable input

Just to add - our experience of Trumpington is appalling. I’m considering reporting to Ofsted. Avoid at all costs

Have you considered saffron Walden village high, going the opposite direction but might be quicker.

I worked in netherhall (through the LA) and found it a good school with a supportive SEN dept.

Have you considered saffron Walden village high, going the opposite direction but might be quicker.

I worked in netherhall (through the LA) and found it a good school with a supportive SEN dept.

Both my DC have been educated at TCC all the way through (one at 6th form now and one Y10) and I really don’t find it ‘appalling’. Mine have been happy and done well and neither of them complained of any issues with behaviour or anything beyond average for a state secondary.