History of the College

The College was founded in 1930 and realised the vision of Henry Morris, who was at the time the Secretary for Education for Cambridgeshire. He believed in life-long learning from the cradle to the grave, and created Sawston Village College to bring that ideal to life. Morris's vision encompassed a centre of learning for people of all ages, which had no barriers separating it from the community it served. It placed the College firmly at the centre of learning in its local community.

Opened by the Prince of Wales, Sawston Village College was the first community college in the country. Education, claimed Morris, was something beautiful and must take place in an environment that offered inspiration. The original buildings reflect those ideals, based as they are on Cambridge University courtyards.

We remain committed to Morris's ideals, something that is reflected in the vibrant programme of community education we offer to our local community. Beyond that, we work very closely with our partner secondary school, Linton Village College and the partner primary schools of both of our colleges, some 13 in all, in support of children, young people and families in need. If you wish to read more about the College's work in the locality, please follow the link to locality work.