SchoolScoresNorth Cambridge Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of MERIDIAN TRUST
Arbury Road, Kings Hedges, Cambridge, CB4 2JF
01223 491500 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 February 2015.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 5 February 2025: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Cambridge comparisons use the 13 of its 20 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 7 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Cambridge | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 12th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 82% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 13th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 11th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 18% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 25 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 7th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 45% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 48% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 46 parents who had raised a concern 11th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 22% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 17 parents of children with SEND 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 43% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 62% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 11th highest of 13 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Cambridge. Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64%said yes | 79% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 9%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Cambridge figures pool parents at the Cambridge schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
125 pupils in this year group.
35% — 14 points below the Cambridgeshire average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 35% | 50% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 43.9 | 48.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 4.4 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
104 pupils in this year group.
88% — 5 points below the Cambridgeshire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 88% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 24% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 41% | 32% | 13% |
| Further education college | 30% | 29% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 88% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cambridgeshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 150 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 68 |
| Of those, offered a place | 68 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 180 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.5 · 2026: 0.5
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 50.4% | 23.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 96% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 11.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.1% | 14.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.8% | 20.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 18th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 41.5 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 18% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3% | 5.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.15% | 0.06% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 14th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 21% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 1st highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 96% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 30.6% | 16.5%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Cambridge Arts and Sciences (CATS and CSVPA) 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 38% A*/A at A level
- Chesterton Community College 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 84% grade 5+ English and maths
- Parkside Community College 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2023 · 78% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John's College School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Impington Village College 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 66% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cardiff Sixth Form College, Cambridge 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 78% A*/A at A level
- King's College School 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Red Balloon Learner Centre - Cambridge 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Cambridge Maths School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · A+ average A level grade
- Sancton Wood School 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is North Cambridge Academy's Ofsted rating?
North Cambridge Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 February 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 5 February 2025, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did North Cambridge Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend North Cambridge Academy?
64% of the 59 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend North Cambridge Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is North Cambridge Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 68 families put North Cambridge Academy as their first choice for 150 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 68 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139401.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.