Cambridgeshire schools - what options for secondary?

[mylovelymonster]

.....so, bit of a stupid gaff on my part. Thought I had checked out schools before we settled on a house (we complete today). We have got into a really nice and well performing primary, so all good for the next 5 years. However, I thought I had checked out the secondary, and that it was equally excellent - turns out I was wrong. It is not great (Ofsted 3, some teaching letting it down from what I can gather) - however standards and grades improving over last 5 years and school just changed to Academy status. The school is Bassingbourn Village College - any experience? Goes up to GCSE, then feeds in potentially to excellent Cambridge sixth form college.

I am really having kittens here - thought I'd covered all the bases, and feeling very pathetic. Any advice on alternative schools would be really helpful - am wondering if we could get into Comberton for example, or local Indys? Costs?

Any spare hugs/sympathy/valium also greatly appreciated x

Hugs definitely. I don't know the school itself, though. You say you have five years of primary still to go -- could you just keep a watch on whether standards go up or down, and review in a couple of years? Also talk to other parents at your primary, as they'll have more of a feel for the school (which might be perfect for your child even if it's shaky in some areas; you never know).

Doubt you'd get into Comberton if out of catchment, but what about other local-ish school as backup? Sawston, Royston, Melbourn?

I've just had a nosy at their Ofsted, and like the sound of quite a lot of it: exemplary behaviour, small school, and steady rather than outstanding progress from generally high starting points... you could do a lot worse, frankly.

One of mine went (briefly) to an Ofsted Outstanding exam-factory where he was utterly wretched, and is now at a calmer, less acamedic school that he loves. It depends hugely on the child.

Acamedic?? Need coffee.

oh lancelottie (not londonlottie?) you are a sweetheart. I think the school has just become an academy and their GCSE results have been rising consistently the last four years. It is also a lovely personal size - around 650 - compared to Comberton which is 1400+! From what I can gather, Bassingbourn seems to feed in to several sixth forms, one of which being Hills Road, which I will look into and seems really good. I'm sure there is hope that I haven't made a hideous and far-reaching blunder, and that DH will forgive me. I'm so angry with myself for not double checking. This is such a critical & expensive move for us.
Hugs are really appreciated x

My cousins all went to long road for 6th and ALL of them (4 boys) are fab. Three with quirky, successful, hipster media careers and one black sheep who is in banking.

I'm not Londonlottie, no -- hope I'm not treading on her toes with this NN, as I hadn't realised it was similar.

Yes, Comberton is huge -- and though undeniably good, possibly relies on its very engaged parents to keep up the standards at times (should make it clear that that isn't the one we moved DS from, though!)

Have cross posted with your additional very thoughtful post - you are right. My girls will do well hopefully wherever they go, and a happy environment with continuity of their social group is what I want for them as well as being stretched and developed, which I and DH can support also. I am feeling better. Thankyou.
I also need coffee, maybe some food, and some sleep. A soak in the tub would also do me the world of good.
I am still excited about our new home. Pop in for tea if you're in the area

Bassingbourn definitely doesn't count as a "gaff".
It is one of the better schools in the area IMO.

OOh Pooka - thankyou for that pointer. I am gathering data and planning for the next 16 years at least (see them through first degrees) so I can relax

lancelottie - sorry for thinking you were someone else

I need to chill out majorly. Since we lost our parents I do find it really difficult as I don't have the support there to say don't be silly, everything will be absolutely fine, combined with a big hug and a cup of tea. Miss my mum. I just worry about every decision and want to get it perfectly right for my family. I think we all do that to some extent. Too harsh on ourselves.

Thankyou SarkyWench (cool name)

I am feeling much calmer now. Thanks x

I can't comment on Bassingbourn VC but you should be aware that Hills Road is a very selective sixth form college. A few years ago the threshold for entry was (we were told by our local village college) 6 As at GCSE.
I'm not a fan of Long Road - I think you need to be well motivated to do well there. Comberton VC has recently opened a 6th Form and it will be interesting to see how that fares as the main school does very well.
There are several good independents in Cambridge but you need to commit quite a large amount of money for 5 years (and then hope you get into Hills Road for 6th Form and avoid paying fees for the final two years).

Thanks Lilymaid - food for thought. I'm sure I will become a regular on this topic over the next five years, now that Primary provision is sorted!
Can I ask - is grade A at GCSE (very) roughly equivalent to the 'O'-level grades A-C?

I'd say Grade A* is probably more like the old A grade, with A now a borderline A/B.

...but I'm old enough to have done O levels too, and therefore have stone age opinions, according to my horrible horde.

Update - am now excited again about the move. Took DD up to the primary school today and she loves it. She'll be starting at summer term, and thanks to you very kind people here I have a much more reasonable perspective on my blunder oversight. There is plenty of time to plan for the next stages, meanwhile we are moving on to a lovely new home in the countryside, so thanks for all the tips and enjoy the sunshine x