Cottenham Village College
About Cottenham Village College
Cottenham Village College is a popular choice among local families, with 123 first-preference applications for 177 total places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.47. That means for every place available, nearly one and a half families put it top of their list. ParentView data isn't available in the school's most recent records, but the demand alone signals strong local confidence. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and is led by headteacher Hanan McKeand. It serves 877 pupils against a capacity of 900, so it's running very close to full. Just over 17% of students are eligible for free school meals, which is slightly above the national average for secondaries, suggesting a genuinely comprehensive intake. The school has a swimming pool, astro turf, science labs, music rooms, and a gymnasium, plus clubs ranging from eco club and chess to drama and choir.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Oct 2023Source: Ofsted, 21 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:40 – 15:10
Source: astreacottenham.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cottenham Village College
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications