Impington International College (formerly Impington Village College) is a state co-educational day school on the outskirts of Cambridge, serving students aged 11 to 18. It is the first state school in the UK to offer the full IB continuum of MYP, Diploma Programme, and Career-related Programme for ages 11 to 18. The school was named UK Comprehensive School of the Year 2025 by the Sunday Times and is rated Outstanding by Ofsted in all areas. Students consistently perform in the top 5% nationally, with over 50% achieving grade 7 or above at GCSE. In the IB Diploma, the school achieves a 100% pass rate, with one third of students scoring 40 or more points. Around 10% of sixth formers regularly secure Oxbridge places. The school holds the Gold Carnegie Medal for Mental Health, awarded twice.
Location
Impington International College is located on New Road in Impington, a village on the northern outskirts of Cambridge. The school is easily accessible from Cambridge city centre and surrounding villages. Cambridge has excellent rail connections to London King's Cross (under an hour) and Stansted Airport is nearby, making it convenient for international families.
Stages
The school is organised into Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) following the IB Middle Years Programme, Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) for GCSEs, and the Sixth Form (Years 12-13) offering the IB Diploma Programme and IB Career-related Programme. The MYP was introduced in September 2021.
Type
Impington is a state-funded co-educational day school. There are no tuition fees as it is part of the state sector. The school is part of the Eastern Learning Alliance Trust.
Pupil Nationality Mix
The student body speaks over 30 languages, reflecting the diversity of the Cambridge area. The school promotes an international outlook through its IB curriculum and inclusive ethos.
Additional learning support
The school provides SEND support for students with identified needs. As a fully inclusive school, it aims to support a wide range of learning requirements.
Governance and Ownership
Impington International College is part of the Eastern Learning Alliance Trust (registered number 07899393). It operates as a multi-academy trust school within the state sector. The school has its own governing body as part of the trust structure.
Curriculum
The school follows the IB Middle Years Programme in Years 7-9, which was implemented in September 2021. Students take GCSEs in Years 10-11 with five language choices available. The Sixth Form offers both the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career-related Programme, making Impington the first state school in the UK to deliver the full MYP-DP-CP continuum for ages 11 to 18. The IB approach emphasises inquiry-based learning, international-mindedness, and the development of well-rounded individuals.
Exam Results
At GCSE, 20% of students achieve grade 9 and over 50% achieve grade 7 or above. The school consistently performs in the top 5% nationally for student progress. IB Diploma students achieve a 100% pass rate, with one third scoring 40 or more points, equivalent to four As at A Level.
Higher Education Progression
Approximately 10% of sixth form students regularly gain places at Oxford or Cambridge. Nearly 50% of applicants receive offers from Russell Group universities. The school provides careers guidance to support students in their post-18 choices.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school prioritises student wellbeing and has been awarded the Gold Carnegie Medal for Mental Health on two occasions. The IB learner profile promotes values including being caring, principled, and reflective. The school describes itself as a fully inclusive community that celebrates individuality.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SEND support is available for students with identified needs. As an inclusive school, Impington works to ensure students with a range of learning requirements can access the curriculum.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
With over 30 languages spoken by the student body, the school has experience supporting students for whom English is an additional language.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental health support is a strength of the school, recognised by the Gold Carnegie Medal for Mental Health (awarded twice). The school has dedicated wellbeing programmes to support students' emotional and mental health.
Admissions
1. Year 7 applications are made through the Cambridgeshire County Council admissions process. Families should apply by the national deadline in October for entry the following September. 2. The school follows the standard state school admissions criteria, including catchment area and sibling priority. 3. Sixth Form applications are made directly to the school. Strong GCSE results are expected for entry to the IB Diploma Programme. 4. International families should contact the school directly to discuss entry requirements and any visa considerations. 5. Open evenings and tours are available for prospective families to visit the campus.
Waitlist
As a state school, waiting lists are managed according to Cambridgeshire County Council admissions procedures. Places may become available during the academic year.
