Swavesey Village College - Cambridge

Rahat A.

Subject: Urgent Need for Accountability and Action Against Bullying at

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter to express my deep concern and frustration over the persistent issue of bullying at . As someone who has either witnessed or experienced firsthand the toxic environment that continues to affect students’ mental and emotional well-being, I can no longer stay silent.

For far too long, students at have suffered in an environment where bullying—verbal, physical, social, or cyber—is ignored, downplayed, or even enabled by those in positions of authority. Despite repeated complaints and cries for help, the administration has failed to take meaningful action, leaving victims isolated and unsupported.

This is not just disappointing—it’s dangerous. Every time a bullying incident is brushed aside, it sends a clear message: that cruelty has no consequences, and that the well-being of students is not a priority.

Students deserve better. They deserve to feel safe in their classrooms, their hallways, and their communities. School is meant to be a place of learning, growth, and respect—not fear and humiliation.

T G.

The staff have always been helpful and encouraging. The headmaster attends majority of events beyond school time. He also showed us around the school when we considered it during the same pandemic time.

I have two children at different secondary schools to compare; where the headmaster is rarely seen and pretty much all the teachers are off ill on a regular bases. Swavesey deserves it outstanding award.

Beau T.

(Rewrite because I'm bored)
I was here early-ish 2024, I used to be in Wilberforce. I'll cut you some slack, so let's just say...
If you were even THINKING of bringing your child here, DO NOT LET THOSE THOUGHTS WIN. If you have a child in this school, you should PROBABLY GET THEM OUT.

Their entire "Anti-Bullying" policy is a whole lot of poo. During my time at the school, I had experience frequent bullying and includes but is not limited to harassment, VERY, VERY, VERY FREQUENT DEATH THREATS, RACIAL SLURS. When teachers were confronted, they were only forwarded to their "Head of House." The Head of House? They're all untrained workers who barely handle any situation right. There was an inspector on sight during this time. Head of house barely even did anything! If you have students that are actively bullying, starting fights, telling people to kill themselves and spouting out racial slurs, alongside a management team that barely does anything, that's a recipe for "your school should be shut down" completely.

If you've ever read that the students are "friendly" or "polite" think again. If you would've talked to ANYONE, ANYONE in the school, you'd know that's a whole lot of baloney.

Doubt they'd do anything anyway. Not surprised from a public school. A "High quality learning environment?" Only "high-quality environment" you're providing is perfect grounds for bullying.

Would NOT come back here again.
Go anywhere else, but here...
please.

Stephan M.

SVC is the Best School ever! They offer so much support, sport, cultural activities including drama and music & personal development! I’ve never seen Teachers and Staff more involved and supportive anywhere! This Village College is the Best Ever!

L J. L.

My daughter have many good/polite friends from school and is happy with the variety of sports and opportunity to compete with other schools.

Regarding uniform, it is expensive but there is a very active parents group that sell good quality pre-loved ones for a fraction of the price or donate. I only bought few pieces new and it saved us a lot in uniform.

Subjects are varied and pupils got plent to choose from. Y8 get to choose four extra subjects from child development and social care, food technology, engineering, building and construction, design and technology, computing and, hair design. It would be nice to have a science related option but I believe that this is because triple science is part of the curriculum.

There are supporting links to help parents engage with their child on career options and how to start conversations and not only rely on what is discussed at school but to help their child observe when out and about professions around them.

In terms of behaviour it seems there are fights in school everyday. It strikes me as a jungle where you kill or get killed. Kids that speak up are ostracised from others and labelled snitches. My impression is that kids are not comfortable reporting an issue, which in my view is appalling.

Once driving home I have seen a kid coming out of the school bus and another from the same bus bitting him up. It is awful behaviour and parents may not even be aware of what their kids are up to.

The reason I give review 4 is because of behavioural issues.

NICOLA H.

If I could start this review with no stars I would .
My daughters went to this school from 2013 - 2018 and 2018- 2023 .
They both suffered bullying with was
not dealt with properly . The staff are in effective and often loss control and shout at the pupils. All they care about is their Ofsted rating, they do not explain to pupils options to work ( McDonalds ) at 16 they tell them that they have to have a place at further education or an apprenticeship , which doesn’t suit all children..This makes them look better with 100% of pupils going on to further education or apprenticeship.
It has an extremely high turn over of staff which to me says it all. They say that Swavesey is so good that it’s a stepping stone for the staff to bigger and better things but it doesn’t help your child with staff changing all the time.
It’s geared up to only support gifted children which in my experience is not many in the general population.
It was a long , difficult 10 years and I would not recommend it to anyone .

Kim V.

"Many visitors, parents, and staff have commented on how smart pupils look and the impression the uniform gives of the high standards at Swavesey Village College."
THIS is what's important to you? The schools image? I thought any good school would put the education of their students first.
Isolation for wearing regular black school/work trousers? Because they weren't the 'designer' you wanted? Do you support your students at all - the ones who don't have as much but still want to learn something? Or is it only those with money?
This is not a school. It's a place for adults to bully teens.

Chicken M. H.

This school sucks none of the teachers care they only like what they say you try say one word and they just walk away they don’t care about your mental health or anything only them selves there are some teachers that care but others don’t