Established in 1974 Hills Road Sixth Form College stands proudly on the site of the former Cambridgeshire High School for Boys. This isn’t just any college. It’s a place where history whispers through the hallways. A place that has witnessed the evolution of education in Cambridgeshire. It played a key role when the old grammar school and secondary modern system gave way to comprehensive schools and sixth-form colleges.
Hills Road Sixth Form College hasn’t stood still. It started with a single building. It has grown impressively since its humble beginnings. The Sports and Tennis Centre arrived in 1995. The Colin Greenhalgh building housing English modern languages and history followed. Then came the Rob Wilkinson building home to physics chemistry and computer science in 2004. In 2005 the Margaret Ingram Guidance Centre provided specialist tutorial support. The Linda Sinclair building opened in 2016. It houses mathematics and PE departments. A new Study Centre opened in 2023. It offers study areas and a rooftop space for staff.
The college’s expansion hasn’t been a straight line. Ambitious redesign plans were scaled back during the 2010 economic crisis. But even those adjustments resulted in improvements. Administrative areas were redesigned. More classrooms were added for physical sciences psychology and art. The staff room was enlarged and relocated. The library was partially refurbished. A new resource area was built. The student social area was completely rebuilt.
Hills Road Sixth Form College boasts a remarkable reputation. It’s consistently ranked among the best state schools in the UK. It is second only to Westminster School London for Oxbridge University entrants. This success isn’t just about academic results. The college is committed to fostering a rich and varied extra-curricular life. Students participate in many activities. These include badminton basketball cricket football hockey netball rounders rowing rugby squash tennis and volleyball. This dedication to a holistic approach to education sets Hills Road apart.
Many notable alumni have walked these grounds. From authors and actors to musicians and politicians Hills Road has nurtured many talents. Consider the legacy of Pink Floyd members Syd Barrett and Roger Waters. Or the impact of Martin Amis the celebrated novelist. The college’s past is rich and its present vibrant. Its future is undoubtedly bright. Today Hills Road Sixth Form College stands as a testament to the power of education innovation and community. It continues to shape the lives of its students. It also continues to enrich the cultural landscape of Cambridge.