How Cambridgeshire’s first village college in Sawston could be regenerated

Regeneration plans that aim to protect the village college ideals and values for the future have been unveiled to the public.

Sawston Village College was founded by Henry Morris in 1930 and became the first of its kind. However, some of the 1,200-pupil school’s current unlisted buildings and the site layout are inefficient for the demands of a modern curriculum.

The site is home to 17 buildings of varied condition, size and importance, with almost all of the current blocks proposed to be re-modelled or refurbished. In total, seven existing buildings will be demolished.

It is proposed that the work be phased over two years, with the school remaining open during the construction period.

The proposals include the retention of the site’s two grade II-listed buildings – the library and Henry Morris Hall – and the one locally listed building, the Marven Centre, which will benefit from some refurbishment and remodelling as part of the plans.

The masterplan includes the creation of a large new building, along with courtyards and improved outdoor areas with covered dining spaces. It is also proposed to create new coach drop-off facilities away from pupil areas and simplified vehicle access to community sport facilities.

The new building, which is proposed to be net zero carbon in operation, will feature dedicated areas for mathematics and design technology, languages, art and ICT. It will also feature a SEND area on the ground floor with sensory spaces, which will have access to a dedicated garden area. The proposals also include new flexible dining areas that would be easily zoned for out-of-hours use, under the plans.

The Marven Centre, which operates as Sawston Cinema and has been known variously as Spicers Theatre and the Youth Centre, was built in 1932 and has been used by generations of the local community for many different functions, from its opening to the present day. The building is well-used by a wide range of community groups but is prone to flooding, leakages, and is in poor decorative condition.

The redevelopment includes refurbishment and remodelling of the hall and facilities.

The proposals do not include an increase in pupil or staff numbers, but there are some changes proposed for circulation and parking around the site. These include an updated coach drop-off zone, traffic calming measures and pedestrian priority throughout the site. The project team has been working closely with the college, Anglian Learning and officers at South Cambridgeshire District Council in preparation of the proposals.

The plans were unveiled at a public exhibition on Tuesday (23 January).

Principal Jonathan Russell said: “The regeneration of Sawston Village College is a transformational opportunity for our staff, pupils and the community we are privileged to serve. We are proud to be the first village college founded by Henry Morris in 1930. His vision was for a school which would nurture a lifelong love of learning for people of all ages, in an environment that offered inspiration.

“Based on Cambridge University courtyards, our original grade II-listed buildings reflect these ideals, and these values are still at the heart of our work nearly a century later. The proposals we are asking the community to consider will help protect those ideals and values for generations to come.”

Have your say by visiting sawstonvillagecollegeplans.co.uk.