PARKSIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGE in Cambridgeshire, Cambridge

Education Centre Information: Parkside Community College:

Establishment Type:Foundation School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Closed
Local Authority: Cambridgeshire
Reason Establishment Closed: Academy Converter
Establishment Close Date: 31/03/2011
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: None
Total Pupils: 602
Number of boys: 314
Number of girls: 288
Admissions: Comprehensive
Age Range: 11-19
Gender: Mixed
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Background:

Relatively-small school in the heart of the city, next to 24-acres; within five minutes' walk of the city centre. The Edwardian building dates from 1912 and has housed five different schools. A new and fully-refurbished building, with the most up-to-date facilities, was opened in September 1997. The main building on Melbourne Place features a large courtyard garden surrounded by classrooms, offices and specialist rooms, library study centre, computer rooms and media suite with specialist editing equipment, drama studio suite, hall, and music building containing four practice rooms. The sports hall is in its own new building with impressive changing rooms. The nearby Mud Lane site houses the art, design and media technology, mathematics, and science rooms and laboratories. The laboratories and specialist rooms are well-equipped and furnished. A wide variety of activities in the school include extension GCSE courses in Latin; Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and other youth work; also full range of evening, weekend and holiday courses. Specialist media arts college status; also specialist language college status. Before-school care, from 8am; after-school care, until 5pm. Over-subscribed, with more than three applications per place. Artsmark Gold; Investor in People status (1999, 2005); DfES achievement award (2003); Leading Edge status (2003). Ethos: 'The school has a distinct, inclusive ethos that values mature, articulate and self-reliant pupils'.