Melbourn Village College Explained

Melbourn Village College
Coordinates:52.0875°N 0.0182°W
Motto:Everybody is Somebody
Type:Academy
Trust:The Cam Academy Trust
Head Label:Executive Principal
Head:Christopher Bennet
Address:The Moor
City:Melbourn
County:Cambridgeshire
Country:England
Postcode:SG8 6EF
Ofsted:yes
Urn:137527
Enrolment:600+
Gender:Co-educational
Lower Age:11
Upper Age:16
Houses:Darwin, Franklin, Newton, Lewis, Hawking, Goodall
Colours: Blue, Gold
Website:https://www.melbournvc.org/

Melbourn Village College is a secondary school with academy status, located in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, England that serves an extensive area of South Cambridgeshire. The school has over 600 students aged 11–16. Melbourn Village College is part of the Cam Academy Trust as of September 1, 2013. The Cam Academy Trust now comprises Comberton Village College, Comberton Sixth Form, Cambourne Village College, Melbourn Village College, St Peter's School Huntingdon, as well as several primary schools.Cambourne Sixth Form issue to open in September 2024.

History

In 2006 59% of students obtained 5 or more A*-C GCSEs including English and mathematics, rising to 63% if those two subjects are excluded.[1]

In the most recent full Ofsted inspection in 2023, Melbourn Village College was rated Inadequate,[2] with the inspector noting that while students "achieve adequately in Year 11 examinations, less attention ispaid to addressing weaknesses in the depth and breadth of their knowledge". In their response,[3] the school branded the report as "disappointing" and Executive Headteacher Christopher Bennet commented that "the most recent GCSE results were exceptional, demonstrating the high standards and achievements students make at the school." In an earlier news update, Bennet described the school's 2023 GCSE standards as "at least the same as those gained in 2019",[4] the year in which 39% of students achieved less than a grade 4 in English and/or Maths.[5]

Curriculum

The following subjects are offered/taught: English, Maths (plus Further Maths in Year 11), Science, Geography, History, Religious Education, Food Technology, Design & Technology, Art, Physical Education, Mandarin, Spanish, Music, Drama, Computer Science and Psychology .

Funding

In January 2000 the Secondary Heads Association used this school as an example of the disparity of funding between local authorities. If the school had been in Hertfordshire, two miles away, it would have received £359,000 more for its students.[6] By November 2005 the school was £148,814 in debt. As of September 2023, the school is setting a break-even budget.[7]

Notable staff

In 1998 Judith Mullen, then warden of the College, was appointed president of the Secondary Heads Association.[8]

In April 2006 Nicola Dunklin, a teaching assistant, set up the South Cambridgeshire branch of the charity, Friends of Chernobyl's Children.[9]

Notable former pupils

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main.jhtml?xml=/education/leaguetables/secondary2007/resultse.xml "Secondary School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables 2007"
  2. Web site: Ofsted 2023 Report.
  3. Web site: MVC Ofsted Report.
  4. Web site: GCSE Results 2023.
  5. Web site: GCSE Delight.
  6. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/622333.stm "Heads say cuts are costing teachers' jobs"
  7. http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/region_wide/2005/11/05/df2cd0b0-19c0-4245-9052-78d3581373bf.lpf "Schools fail to deliver plans as debts mount"
  8. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/166801.stm "Education - Spice baby boom?"
  9. http://www.herts24.co.uk/content/crow/news/story.aspx?brand=ROYWestOnline&category=News&tBrand=herts24&tCategory=newsroynew&itemid=WEED04%20Jan%202007%2012%3A50%3A34%3A080 "Review of the year - Women"
  10. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=18117 Luke Chadwick