Cromwell Community College Review 2026: The Heart of Chatteris Education

Cromwell Community College occupies a central position in the Fenland market town of Chatteris, serving as a rare all-through institution in the Cambridgeshire landscape. Since expanding to include a primary phase in 2020, the college has transformed into a 4 to 18 campus that allows pupils to remain within the same educational community for their entire school career.

With approximately 1,370 students and pupils, it is a significant local employer and a cornerstone of the community. Mrs Jane Horn has led the college as Executive Principal since 2014, providing a level of stability that is reflected in the school's consistent Good rating from Ofsted. While the secondary results show a school working hard to raise attainment in a challenging demographic, the sixth form performance sits comfortably in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), outperforming many local alternatives.

The college operates with a clear sense of order and purpose. The campus is a blend of original 20th-century buildings and modern additions, including the purpose-built primary wing which opened to its first Reception cohort in September 2020. This expansion has created a unique one school feel, where older students often act as role models for the younger pupils.

As part of the Active Learning Trust since 2012, the college benefits from a wider network of support, yet it retains a fiercely local identity. The atmosphere is friendly and industrious. There is a visible emphasis on the Cromwell Way, a set of expectations centered on respect, resilience, and taking responsibility for one's own learning. Houses are named Darwin, Franklin, Carpenter, and Attenborough, providing a framework for internal competition and pastoral identity.

In the secondary phase, the college's GCSE outcomes place it 2,774th in England (FindMySchool ranking). While this sits below the England average, it ranks as the 1st secondary school in Chatteris for GCSE outcomes, highlighting its role as the primary provider for the local area. The Attainment 8 score of 41.4 and a Progress 8 score of -0.3 suggest that while students are making steady progress, there is a concerted effort from leadership to bridge the gap toward England averages.

The Sixth Form tells a different story of academic success. The college ranks 1,282nd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), which places it in the top half of all providers nationally. Over half of all A-level entries (53.79%) achieved the high-water mark of A*-B, a figure that exceeds the England average of 47.2%. This performance makes Cromwell an attractive destination for students across the Fens seeking a rigorous post-16 environment without the commute to Cambridge or Peterborough.

The curriculum at Cromwell is designed to be inclusive yet ambitious. In the primary phase, the focus is on the mastery of core skills, with a heavy emphasis on phonics and early numeracy to ensure a strong foundation. Moving into the secondary phase, the college offers a broad range of GCSEs, though the percentage of students entering the EBacc (8.7%) is lower than the England average of 40.5%, indicating a more vocational or flexible approach to KS4 choices for many students.

In the Sixth Form, the college offers a traditional suite of A-levels alongside several BTEC Level 3 qualifications. Small class sizes in Year 12 and 13 allow for intensive teacher support, which contributes to the strong A*-B percentages. Teachers are noted for their subject expertise and their willingness to provide additional intervention sessions for students approaching exam seasons.

Where Students Go Next

For a rural college, Cromwell maintains an impressive pipeline to higher education. According to 2024 leavers' data, 59% of students progressed to university, while 8% secured apprenticeships and 26% entered direct employment.

The college has a notable connection to the University of Cambridge. In the most recent measurement period, two students applied to the elite institution, with one student successfully securing and accepting an offer. This represents a 50% success rate for Oxbridge applications, a testament to the high-level aspiration encouraged within the Sixth Form. Other popular destinations for leavers include the University of East Anglia, Lincoln, and Anglia Ruskin.

Cromwell Community College is a sought-after choice for local families. For the primary phase, the school is significantly oversubscribed, with a subscription proportion of 2.13 (more than two applications for every available place). In the most recent intake, 64 applications were received for just 30 Reception places.

The secondary phase (Year 7) is also oversubscribed, receiving 367 applications for 225 places. Families should note that while being a pupil in the Cromwell primary phase provides a natural pathway, it does not strictly guarantee a Year 7 place if the school's formal admissions criteria (managed by Cambridgeshire County Council) are not met during a period of peak demand.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, Cromwell Community College does not charge tuition fees. There are no annual fees for any phase of education from Reception through to the Sixth Form. Families should, however, account for the costs of school uniforms, physical education kits, and optional extracurricular trips.

Specialist music and singing lessons delivered by peripatetic teachers do incur fees. Parents seeking financial assistance for these lessons are encouraged to contact the college directly, as some funding may be available for eligible pupils. The college also manages a 16-19 Bursary Fund to support students in the Sixth Form with the costs of books, equipment, and travel.

Pastoral care is organized through a traditional tutor and Head of Year system. In the secondary phase, the college utilizes vertical tutoring in some areas, where students from different year groups share a form room, fostering a sense of family and peer mentoring.

The college provides a dedicated Wellbeing Hub, offering a space for students who may be experiencing anxiety or social challenges. This is supported by a team of pastoral assistants who are available throughout the school day. The latest Ofsted inspection in September 2023 confirmed that safeguarding is a priority, with inspectors noting that pupils feel safe and know who to talk to if they have concerns.

The extracurricular life at Cromwell is designed to broaden horizons in a geographically isolated area. The college is well-regarded for its Performing Arts, with annual musical productions that involve students from across the age ranges.

STEM & Innovation

The college has invested in its technical facilities, supporting a strong STEM agenda. Specific clubs include the Crest Award Science Club and the Lego Engineering Club, where students work on practical projects. The college also hosts a Teaching Internships Programme for university students in STEM subjects, further embedding a culture of scientific excellence.

Sport & Physical Education

The PE department makes full use of the on-site facilities, including a state-of-the-art 3G Floodlit Astroturf Pitch and a large Sports Hall with four badminton courts and indoor cricket nets. Fixtures in basketball, football, hockey, netball, rounders, cricket, and rugby are staples of the school week.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm for the secondary phase. For primary pupils, a Breakfast Club runs from 8:00am to provide wraparound care. While the college offers many after-school clubs, specific late-evening childcare details are not published; families should contact the school directly for current provision.

The college is served by several bus routes for students coming from outlying villages such as Doddington and Wimblington. There is ample parking available onsite for visitors, and the campus is easily accessible via the A141.

• Oversubscription at Entry: Both the primary and secondary phases are oversubscribed. For families moving into the Chatteris area, securing a place mid-year can be difficult.
• Academic Trajectory: While the Sixth Form results are strong, the secondary Progress 8 score of -0.3 indicates that GCSE students are currently performing slightly below their predicted trajectories based on their starting points.
• All-Through Consistency: Families should be aware that while the school is all-through, separate applications are required for the transition from Reception to Year 7 via the Local Authority.

Cromwell Community College is an essential pillar of the Chatteris community, providing a stable and ambitious educational journey from the first day of Reception to the final day of A-levels. It suits local families who value the continuity of an all-through school and students who want a high-performing, supportive Sixth Form environment without leaving their local area. The college combines a strong community feel with academic results that place its Sixth Form in the top half of all England providers.