Cambridgeshire County Council’s best secondary schools 2026

Trying to find the right school for your child in Cambridgeshire County Council? You’re in the right place.

With so many options, many parents find themselves drowning in league tables and Ofsted reports. That’s exactly why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert team has analysed the latest 2024/2025 Department for Education data to bring you a list of the top-performing state secondary schools in Cambridgeshire County Council.

We show two ranking tables, one for Progress 8 and one for GCSE 9–7 results, and also provide a complete list of all secondary schools in Cambridgeshire County Council. This full list includes Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 percentages, and Ofsted ratings where available. The schools in this table are ordered alphabetically rather than ranked, so you can easily see every school in one place, even if some data points are missing.

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Top secondary schools in Cambridgeshire County Council by GCSE % 9–7

The Perse School in Cambridge is currently ranked #1 in Cambridgeshire County Council based on the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7. This measure highlights how many pupils achieve the very top exam results, giving a clear picture of each school’s academic excellence.

RankSchool nameTypeGenderProgress 8GCSE 9-7%Ofsted ᐧ Quality of educationOfsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudesOfsted ᐧ Personal developmentOfsted ᐧ Leadership & management
1The Perse SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-89.9%----
2The Leys SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-86.2%----
3The Stephen Perse FoundationOther independent schoolMixed-71.7%----
4Heritage SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-67.5%----
5St Mary's SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-63.7%----
6Chesterton Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-63.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
7Kimbolton SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-60.6%----
8Abbey College CambridgeOther independent schoolMixed-54.3%----
9Parkside Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-48.1%----
10St Bede's Inter-Church SchoolAcademy converterMixed-47.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
11Impington Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-45.9%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
12King's ElyOther independent schoolMixed-41.7%----
13Comberton Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-37.5%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
14Coleridge Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-37.2%----
15Sawston Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-36.7%----
16Trumpington Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-36.6%OutstandingGoodGoodOutstanding
17Cambridge Academy for Science and TechnologyUniversity technical collegeMixed-36.4%----
18Northstowe Learning CommunityAcademy converterMixed-33.5%GoodGoodGoodOutstanding
19Linton Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-32.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
20Swavesey Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-32.9%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
21Wisbech Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-31.5%----
22Cambourne Village CollegeFree schoolsMixed-30.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
23Sancton Wood SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-30.1%----
24Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS and CSVPA)Other independent schoolMixed-30%----
25The Cavendish SchoolFree schools specialMixed-28.3%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
26Bottisham Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-27.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
27Longsands AcademyAcademy converterMixed-26.8%GoodRequires improvementGoodGood
28Cottenham Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-26.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
29Soham Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-25.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
30Ely CollegeAcademy converterMixed-23.9%----
31The Netherhall SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-23.8%----
32Bassingbourn Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-23.3%----
33Hinchingbrooke SchoolAcademy converterMixed-21.6%----
34Sawtry Village AcademyAcademy converterMixed-19.8%----
35St Ivo AcademyAcademy converterMixed-19.2%GoodGoodGoodGood
36Mander Portman WoodwardOther independent schoolMixed-18.2%----
37Witchford Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-18%----
38Melbourn Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-17.9%Requires improvementGoodRequires improvementRequires improvement
39North Cambridge AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-16.5%----
40Abbey College, RamseyAcademy converterMixed-13.7%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
41Sir Harry Smith Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-13.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
42Cromwell Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-12.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
43Ernulf AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-11.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
44St Peter's SchoolAcademy converterMixed-11.2%----
45Thomas Clarkson AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-9.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
46Vista Academy LittleportAcademy sponsor ledMixed-9.6%InadequateInadequateRequires improvementInadequate
47Neale-Wade AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
48Gretton SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-4.5%----
49Waldorf Cambridge SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-4.5%----
50Holme Court SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-3.2%----
51Cambian Home Tree SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
52On Track Education Services LtdOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
53Red Balloon Learner Centre - CambridgeOther independent schoolMixed-0%----
54Riverside Meadows AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed-0%InadequateRequires improvementRequires improvementInadequate
55The Centre SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-0%GoodGoodGoodGood
56The Harbour SchoolAcademy special sponsor ledBoys-0%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood

Note: Rankings use 2024/2025 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.

Source

All secondary schools in Cambridgeshire County Council

Below is the complete list of secondary schools in Cambridgeshire County Council, including both state-funded and independent schools where data is available. This table provides an at-a-glance view of each school’s key performance metrics, including Progress 8 scores, the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7, and Ofsted ratings, where published.

School nameTypeGenderProgress 8GCSE 9-7%Ofsted ᐧ Quality of educationOfsted ᐧ Behaviour & attitudesOfsted ᐧ Personal developmentOfsted ᐧ Leadership & management
Abbey College CambridgeOther independent schoolMixed-54.3%----
Abbey College, RamseyAcademy converterMixed-13.7%GoodGoodOutstandingGood
Aurora Fairway SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Aurora Meldreth Manor SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Bassingbourn Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-23.3%----
Begdale House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Bottisham Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-27.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
Cambian Home Tree SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
Cambian Wisbech SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Cambourne Village CollegeFree schoolsMixed-30.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Cambridge Academy for Science and TechnologyUniversity technical collegeMixed-36.4%----
Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS and CSVPA)Other independent schoolMixed-30%----
Cambridge Muslim Secondary SchoolOther independent schoolGirls------
Cambridge Regional CollegeFurther educationMixed------
Cardiff Sixth Form College, CambridgeOther independent schoolMixed------
Castle School, CambridgeCommunity special schoolMixed--Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
Chesterton Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-63.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Coleridge Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-37.2%----
Comberton Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-37.5%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Cottenham Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-26.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Cromwell Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-12.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Ely CollegeAcademy converterMixed-23.9%----
Ernulf AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-11.7%GoodGoodGoodGood
Granta SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed--Requires improvementRequires improvementGoodRequires improvement
Gretton SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-4.5%----
Heritage SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-67.5%----
Highfield Ely AcademyAcademy special converterMixed------
Highfield Littleport AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed--GoodGoodGoodGood
Hinchingbrooke SchoolAcademy converterMixed-21.6%----
Holme Court SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed-3.2%----
Hope Tree SchoolOther independent special schoolGirls------
Impington Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-45.9%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Kimbolton SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-60.6%----
King's College SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
King's ElyOther independent schoolMixed-41.7%----
Landmark International SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
Linton Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-32.9%GoodGoodGoodGood
Longsands AcademyAcademy converterMixed-26.8%GoodRequires improvementGoodGood
Mander Portman WoodwardOther independent schoolMixed-18.2%----
Meadowgate AcademyAcademy special converterMixed------
Melbourn Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-17.9%Requires improvementGoodRequires improvementRequires improvement
Neale-Wade AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-5.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
North Cambridge AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-16.5%----
Northstowe Learning CommunityAcademy converterMixed-33.5%GoodGoodGoodOutstanding
On Track Education Services LtdOther independent special schoolMixed-0%----
Papworth Hall SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Parkside Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-48.1%----
Prestley Wood AcademyFree schools specialMixed------
Red Balloon Learner Centre - CambridgeOther independent schoolMixed-0%----
Riverside Meadows AcademyAcademy special sponsor ledMixed-0%InadequateRequires improvementRequires improvementInadequate
Samuel Pepys SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed------
Sancton Wood SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-30.1%----
Sawston Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-36.7%----
Sawtry Village AcademyAcademy converterMixed-19.8%----
Selwyn Hall SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed------
Shelldene House SchoolOther independent special schoolBoys------
Sir Harry Smith Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-13.2%Requires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvementRequires improvement
Soham Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-25.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
Spring Common AcademyAcademy special converterMixed--Requires improvementGoodRequires improvementRequires improvement
St Bede's Inter-Church SchoolAcademy converterMixed-47.6%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
St Faith's SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
St Ivo AcademyAcademy converterMixed-19.2%GoodGoodGoodGood
St John's College SchoolOther independent schoolMixed------
St Mary's SchoolOther independent schoolGirls-63.7%----
St Peter's SchoolAcademy converterMixed-11.2%----
St. Andrew's College CambridgeOther independent schoolMixed------
Swavesey Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-32.9%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
The Cavendish SchoolFree schools specialMixed-28.3%OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
The Centre SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-0%GoodGoodGoodGood
The Harbour SchoolAcademy special sponsor ledBoys-0%Requires improvementGoodGoodGood
The Leys SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-86.2%----
The Martin Bacon AcademyFree schools specialMixed--OutstandingOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding
The Netherhall SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-23.8%----
The Old School HouseOther independent special schoolBoys------
The Perse SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-89.9%----
The Stephen Perse FoundationOther independent schoolMixed-71.7%----
The Wisbech AcademyFree schoolsMixed------
Thomas Clarkson AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-9.6%GoodGoodGoodGood
Trumpington Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-36.6%OutstandingGoodGoodOutstanding
Vista Academy LittleportAcademy sponsor ledMixed-9.6%InadequateInadequateRequires improvementInadequate
Waldorf Cambridge SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-4.5%----
Walnut Tree School LtdOther independent special schoolMixed------
Wisbech Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed-31.5%----
Witchford Village CollegeAcademy converterMixed-18%----

Source

Disclaimer

All data on this page is sourced from the Department for Education’s 2024/2025 Compare School Performance dataset. It includes state-funded and, where available, independent secondary schools. Please note that Progress 8 scores were not published by the DfE for the 2024/25 academic year, as this cohort did not have Key Stage 2 prior attainment data due to pandemic-related assessment cancellations.

Some schools may also be missing data for GCSE 9–7 results or Ofsted ratings due to unpublished or unavailable figures. Rankings are based only on schools with published data and may not reflect recent changes. Please check school websites for the latest information.

How we ranked the best schools in Cambridgeshire County Council?

Why trust our rankings? Our analysis is based on the latest 2024/2025 data from the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance (CSP) database, which publishes official performance data for all secondary schools in England, including both state-funded and independent schools where available.

We’ve created separate tables to highlight top performers in three key areas:

  • Progress 8 (pupil progress from KS2 to GCSE)
  • GCSE 9–7 grades (academic excellence)
  • Overall school listings, with available Ofsted ratings

Schools are primarily ranked by their Progress 8 score. This clever metric doesn’t just reward schools with high-attaining intakes – it highlights the ones that genuinely support student growth by measuring progress from the end of primary school to GCSEs. It adjusts for prior attainment, making it one of the fairest ways to compare schools.

Where available, we also show the percentage of GCSE grades at 9–7 to reflect high academic achievement, and Ofsted ratings for added context. All figures come directly from CSP’s official dataset.

Where Progress 8 data is not available for any schools in Cambridgeshire County Council, the corresponding table will not be shown. This simply means that no schools in this area had published Progress 8 scores at the time of the latest dataset, it does not reflect on the quality of the schools themselves.

How to support your child at home

Helping your child succeed at school doesn’t just happen in the classroom, the right support at home can make a big difference. Encourage a regular study routine, provide a quiet space for learning, and take an interest in what they’re covering in lessons. Even small actions, like checking in on homework or discussing what they learned that day, can build motivation and accountability.

If you’re looking for extra structure, our GCSE Revision Resources are designed to make studying easier. With expert-written notes, topic-by-topic exam questions, and mark schemes, your child can practise exactly what they need to know, when they need to know it.

Boosting confidence before exams

Confidence can make a huge difference to exam performance. Start by helping your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, then focus revision time on areas that need improvement. Practising under timed conditions can reduce exam-day nerves, while celebrating small wins along the way builds self-belief.

Our GCSE Exam Practice pages include hundreds of past-paper style questions and worked solutions, so students can walk into their exams knowing exactly what to expect. By building familiarity with the question styles and formats, they’ll feel prepared and ready to perform at their best.

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FAQs - best secondary schools in Cambridgeshire County Council

Based on the latest Department for Education CSP data, the highest-rated secondary school in Cambridgeshire County Council is The Perse School by GCSE 9–7 results. In the case of an exact tie across these measures, the first school in alphabetical order is shown here. For full details and to compare all schools, please refer to the performance tables above.
No. This guide covers state-funded secondary schools only, including grammar, comprehensive, academy, and free schools. Independent/private schools are not included in our rankings.
Applications are usually managed by Cambridgeshire County Council local authority. You can find deadlines, admissions policies, and catchment area maps on the council’s official website.
Use Ofsted inspection reports, the Department for Education’s CSP performance tables, and our rankings to compare schools side by side. Visit schools during open days for first-hand impressions.
A Progress 8 score above 0 means students make better progress than the national average. Scores above +0.5 indicate well above average progress, while top-performing secondary schools typically achieve +0.7 or higher. The best schools in Cambridgeshire County Council consistently score above +0.8.

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