The college was established in 1974 and occupies a site. Prior to this it was the Cambridgeshire High School for Girls, a girls' grammar school. A significant proportion of the college's current buildings date from this period, although there has been extensive renovation and the construction of three entirely new buildings, as well as a new sports centre that opened in 2005. Other recent renovation projects included the expansion of the Learning Resource Centre, state of the artPerforming Arts studios and the Student Centre. Science laboratories were updated in August 2013 and new teaching spaces for Media Diploma and Business Diploma courses opened in August 2013. Additional classroom space has been provided for Sociology and for the Level 4 Foundation in Art & Design. There are extended classrooms for the Criminology Diploma.
The college today
The college has approximately 2,300 full-time students, who are between the ages of 16 and 19. Most of these students study A level courses, although an increasing number are taking Level 3 Diploma courses, and many also study one-year GCSE courses or Level 2 Diploma courses. Around 75% of students go on to higher education each year, they apply to a broad range of different universities. A significant proportion of students each year also go onto full-time apprenticeships, including degree apprenticeships. Others go straight into full-time employment or take a gap year before further study or work. The college is in the top 25% in the country for helping students achieve better grades than were predicted when they joined the college.
Subjects
A wide range of A level subjects and Diplomas are offered. From 2018 the following subjects will be available: A levels: Art, Craft and Design; Biology; Business Studies; Chemistry; Design Technology; Drama and Theatre; Economics; English Language; English Language and Literature; Film Studies; French; Geography; History; Mathematics; Further Mathematics; Media Studies; Photography; Physical Education; Physics; Politics; Psychology; Religion, Philosophy and Ethics; Sociology; Spanish Level 3 Diplomas: Applied Science; Art and Design; Business; Computing; Criminology; Graphic Design; Health & Social Care and Early Years; ICT; Media; Music; Musical Theatre; Photography; Sport GCSEs: English Language; Maths; Biology; Chemistry; Film Studies; ICT; Psychology; Sociology Level 2 Diplomas: Art and Design; Health and Social Care; Media; Sport
Sports
The college has excellent sport facilities with playing fields, floodlit all-weather hockey pitch, two outdoor basketball courts, two tennis courts, and an indoor sports centre which includes a modern gymnasium and an indoor basketball court.
