Established in 1935 Chesterton Community College stands proudly before you. Initially two separate schools one for boys and one for girls they merged in 1974. This created a mixed comprehensive school and adult centre.
Imagine the bustling hallways the echoes of laughter and learning. For decades these walls have witnessed countless stories unfold. Students have transitioned from primary to secondary education within these very grounds. The television series Stepping Up documented this very transition in 2004.
The main building itself a testament to time was constructed in 1935. It boasted separate halls libraries and offices for each gender. An enclosed indoor corridor replaced an earlier outdoor walkway. The staff room transformed into classrooms. A 1992 extension linked to the original girls’ school library.
The college’s history is etched in its architecture. A gym building initially designed for separate genders now houses drama studios. A filled-in tarmac line remains a faint whisper of the playground’s past segregation. The 1960s saw a large extension providing a gym an indoor swimming pool and art and pottery classrooms.
The ROSLA block a small building opposite the main building opened in 1974. It catered to academically gifted students. Chesterton was a secondary modern school for students who didn’t pass the 11-plus exam. The ROSLA block now houses the school’s science department.
A high-tech extension named The Newall Building appeared in 1992. It included a new library computer facilities and staff accommodations. Johns Partnership designed this addition. The science block gained two new classrooms and a preparation room. The music block also from Johns Partnership provides a performance room classrooms and practice suites. It features a sundial a tribute to former head of mathematics Terry McConkey.
A significant addition a sports complex was built in 2004. This included a sports hall a fitness suite a cafe and floodlit tennis courts. The existing swimming pool and gym were renovated. Caroline Pearce a heptathlon athlete opened this complex. However a 2010 deficit resulted in reduced public access.
A further 10 million pound extension opened in July 2019 funded by Cambridgeshire County Council. A sixth form opened in September 2022. Chesterton Community College is more than just a school. It is a community hub with over 3000 local residents using its facilities weekly. It received the Investors in People Award in July 1999. The college boasts a diverse student body. Over ninety languages are spoken by its pupils. Over 25% of pupils come from non-English speaking homes. The college employs over fifty teachers sixty community tutors and fifty support staff. In July 2017 Chesterton received an Outstanding Ofsted rating.
Reflect on this rich history. Chesterton Community College is a vibrant institution shaping lives and contributing to the fabric of Cambridge.