SchoolScoresNorthstowe Learning Community
Academy · All-through, ages 4 to 19 · Mixed · Nursery class · Sixth form
Part of MERIDIAN TRUST
Stirling Road, Northstowe, Cambridge, CB24 1DJ
01223 343800 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 March 2023.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
114 pupils in this year group.
55% — 6 points above the Cambridgeshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cambridgeshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 55% | 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. | 51.4 | 48.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 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.
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 (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 179 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 171 |
| Of those, offered a place | 171 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 331 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 1.0
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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 39 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (77%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 81 |
First-choice applications per place: 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.3
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 6th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.8% | 23.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4% | 11.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 12th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6% | 14.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 14th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 40% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 60% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.6% | 20.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 13th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 65% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 12th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.8% | 5.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 10th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 50% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.8 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 14th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 9th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Cambridge. Higher than 68% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7% | 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
- Cottenham Village College 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Northstowe Learning Community's Ofsted rating?
Northstowe Learning Community was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 March 2023.
How did Northstowe Learning Community do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Northstowe Learning Community oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 171 families put Northstowe Learning Community as their first choice for 179 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 171 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 148128.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.