parkside federation
The Parkside Federation runs two relatively small secondary schools in Cambridge; Parkside Community College and Coleridge Community College, each of about 600 boys and girls. We also operate a primary school located on our Coleridge campus; Ridgefield Primary School.
The annual intake of 120 students on each campus covers the complete ability range and includes children with academic and social talents as high as any in the country. The size of each school ensures a strong feeling of community and contributes to the ease of relationships between students and staff. The approach we take is not characteristic of many schools; we adopted it by choice, in the conviction that it provides the conditions most conducive to learning.
We believe 'human scale' learning environments foster the positive relationships that enable teachers to know their students well and make possible a more holistic approach to learning that engages the whole person. For many young people a human scale learning environment can also make the difference between success and failure. We also think that a key purpose of education is to enable young people to understand their role in creating a fairer and environmentally sustainable world.
We run our schools on the following principles:
- Small scale learning communities enable children and young people to be known as individuals
- Each learner's particular needs are met and all aspects of development - creative, emotional, moral, spiritual as well as intellectual and physical are encouraged
- The learning process is active, participative and relates to the young person's own experience
- The learning community is underpinned by environmentally sustainable values and practices
- Families and the local community are seen as vital partners in the life of the school
- A school is a community in which all share in decision making
Our school communities are open to visitors every Tuesday and Thursday morning during termtime - please call reception on +44 1223 712600 to arrange a tour of Parkside (Thursdays), or +44 1223 712300 for a tour of Coleridge (Tuesdays), visiting lessons and speaking to students as you wish.
We look forward to seeing you in the Parkside Federation.
Best wishes
Andrew Hutchinson OBE
Executive Principal
