Soham Village College

Soham Village College has been rated outstanding across all areas, representing a significant improvement since its previous inspection, which graded it as good. The school fosters an exceptionally positive environment where pupils feel valued, leading to exemplary behavior and high academic achievement. Pupils are supported effectively in their learning, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring that all students progress well. The school's comprehensive personal development program and strong emphasis on careers education further enhance the educational experience. The leadership at Soham Village College is robust, with leaders and trustees having a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement. Staff morale is high, and they feel trusted and valued in their roles, contributing to the overall positive atmosphere. The school effectively integrates support for students' personal and academic development, resulting in a culture of respect and tolerance. This first full inspection reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and high expectations for all pupils.

Strengths

• Exceptional quality of education and behavior
• Pupils feel valued and respected
• High academic achievement and resilience among pupils
• Strong emphasis on reading and literacy development
• Effective support for pupils with SEND
• Comprehensive personal development program
• Well-planned careers education integrated into the curriculum

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Soham Village College attended 92.9% of sessions (the national figure for secondary schools was 91.6%). 18.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 23.4%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 1.3% of pupils at Soham Village College were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Soham Village College had 17.8 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 7.7% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 14.0% of pupils at Soham Village College were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 5.7% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Soham Village College received £8,603 and spent £7,949 for each of its 1,432 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £832,000 (£581 per pupil).

Across all 22 schools of Anglian Learning, income was £7,678 and spending £7,759 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Ely · Cambridgeshire local authority: places and applications

Soham Village College is part of Anglian Learning, which runs 22 schools. The nearest others:

• The Weatheralls Primary School Soham
• The Shade Primary School Ely
• The Pines Primary School Bury St. Edmunds
• Kennett Primary School Newmarket
• Bottisham Village College Cambridge
• Bottisham Community Primary School Cambridge
• Fen Ditton Primary School Cambridge
• Marleigh Primary Academy Cambridge
• The Netherhall School Cambridge
• Meadow Primary School Cambridge

What is Soham Village College's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Soham Village College is Outstanding, from an inspection in July 2024.

When was Soham Village College last inspected by Ofsted?

Soham Village College was last inspected in July 2024.

How many pupils does Soham Village College have?

Soham Village College has 1,436 pupils on roll.

What age range does Soham Village College cover?

Soham Village College for pupils aged 11 to 16.

What are Soham Village College's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 52.5, and 54% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Soham Village College?

Soham Village College is at Sand Street, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5AA.