BACK TO SCHOOL
BACK IN TIME This year will be a chance for Kimbolton School (below) and Impington Village College (pictured here) to reflect on the past
new academic year ahead, given that 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of co-education at the school. Light-hearted celebrations (a 70s-themed day complete with authentic clothes, uniform, hair and food – think perms and prawn cocktails – is being discussed) will be infused with a deeper message about what co-education means for the school. For Kate, it’s a fundamental part of what the school stands for and the space it wants to occupy. “It’s really important for who we are,” she enthuses. It also feeds into another main focus for the school. “One of the other pushes we’ve had in the past year is about inclusion, thinking about that intentionally and much more seriously.” That means “reflecting who we are as a community; really trying to allow each of our pupils to feel absolutely comfortable in their own skin and to feel they can be who they are.” At Impington Village College, the new academic year will focus on developing existing initiatives rather than looking at wholesale change – and will be all the better for it, thinks Johanna Sale. “Sometimes a fresh perspective is all that’s needed,” she says. The emphasis will be on understanding neuroscience and how it can transform the school’s pedagogy. That means going back to how children’s brains develop and ensuring that this is at the heart of the school’s curriculum development, behaviour and relationships policy. “A focus on a deeper understanding of
We want to put joy back into the classroom and into education , and find as many ways to do that as possible
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK SEPTEMBER 2026 81
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