A secondary school has been described as “aspirational and inclusive” by education inspectors, who have rated it 'Good’ in a recent inspection. 

Ofsted awarded Cottenham Village College the rating which is an improvement on its previous result of ‘requires improvement’ in 2019.  

Inspectors said the school was ‘Good’ in all four areas inspected: quality of education, behaviour and attitude, personal development and management.  

The report says: “The school’s well-designed curriculum supports pupils to achieve well.  

“The results of national examinations in 2022 were impressive, placing the school in the highest 20 per cent of schools nationally for progress and attainment in many subjects.  

“Since then, changes in pupils’ needs and staff changes mean that leaders are making necessary alterations to the curriculum and focusing staff training where it is required.” 

The report also noted how “pupils value education and work hard” and “there is a pleasant atmosphere in the school”. 

Inspectors felt “teachers have strong subject knowledge” and “infrequent incidents of bullying” were handled well by staff. 

Cottenham Village College is one of five secondary schools in Cambridgeshire run by the Astrea Academy Trust.  

Its principal Zoe Andrews joined the school in September 2021. There are 875 pupils. 

The report said some parents had concerns about the behaviour policy, but inspectors noted “pupils learn free from disruption”.  

A key area highlighted for improvement was the school’s support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).  

The report said: “The school must continue to provide the training needed so that teachers can support pupils with SEND consistently better.”  

School leaders have also been urged to “continue to review their approach to communication so parents are given appropriate information about changes” happening.   

Inspectors visited the school on October 17 and 18 and the final report was published on the Ofsted website on November 22.