North Cambridge Academy

About North Cambridge Academy

North Cambridge Academy’s headline Progress 8 score of 0.19 sits just above the Cambridgeshire local authority average of 0.17, placing it in the 'Average' band nationally. That might not sound like a huge gap, but in a county where the top three schools all score above 0.85, this result is a solid, above-average showing for a secondary that serves a significantly more disadvantaged intake than most. Nearly half of its 689 pupils are eligible for free school meals, at 49.9%, so the school is clearly adding value for its cohort. Its Attainment 8 score of 46.7 is respectable, and the basics measure at grade 4 or above in English and maths sits at 58.6%. Where the school really stands out is in the 'Open' element of Progress 8 — the part that measures performance in non-core subjects — which hits 0.69, suggesting pupils do particularly well in the broader curriculum.

The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in February 2025, confirmed that standards are being maintained at Good overall. Leadership and management were judged Outstanding, which is a strong signal for stability and direction under headteacher Jane Driver. The previous graded inspection in 2015 also awarded Good overall, so the school has held that rating consistently. Parent View responses from 59 families show a mixed picture: 70% of respondents would recommend the school, and 73% agree or strongly agree that their child does well here. However, only 54% feel concerns are dealt with properly, and 37% disagree that SEND children get the support they need — a notable split given that 29% of respondents have a child with SEND. Behaviour is a weaker spot too, with 37% disagreeing that the school ensures good behaviour.

North Cambridge Academy is a non-selective, mixed 11-16 state school with no sixth form, so families will need to plan for post-16 options elsewhere. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, with 202 applications for 143 places and 75 first-preference offers, so demand is real. Facilities include science labs, art studios, a sports hall, playing fields, and a library, plus clubs ranging from DofE and Young Enterprise to coding and gardening. SEND provision covers dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, SEMH, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, and autistic spectrum disorder. This is a school that works hard for its community, and the data suggests it delivers solid academic outcomes for pupils who might otherwise be left behind — but parents should weigh the mixed feedback on behaviour and SEND support when deciding if it’s the right fit.

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