EDUCATION

Access to a good local school can make all the difference when it comes to choosing a place to live and provide greater life chances. Providing residents with the right opportunities to learn, from writing their first word through to kickstarting their careers, is essential in supporting a community to thrive.  Education creates community connections. Friendships are forged in the schoolyard among children and their parents and carers.  

The strength of the education offer is central to the emerging town of Northstowe and has been a top priority since development began. In fact, the very first building in the town was Pathfinder C of E Primary School. This emphasis on learning is in keeping with the world-renowned reputation of Cambridgeshire’s wider education offer. 

Three schools – a primary school, an area special school, and a secondary school – are already open and catering for Northstowe’s existing residents and growing student population, as well as creating employment opportunities for local people.The schools are located within walking distance of local homes and easily accessible via Northstowe’s network of dedicated paths and cycle lanes. Local pupils can already learn close to home, while the existing special educational needs (SEN) provision is helping to cater for people with different learning needs across the community.  

Providing primary education

The first school in Northstowe, The Pathfinder C of E Primary School, is managed by the Diocese of Ely Multi-Academy Trust Board of Education and supports the future generation of Northstowe. The school has played a central part in the community since it opened in 2017.  

Catering for complex needs 

Northstowe is designed to be an inclusive town with the well-being of people at its heart. Supporting the town’s diverse population,Martin Bacon Academy is run by Meridian Trust, a multi-academy trust founded on its commitment to people and communities. It supports 30 schools across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Lincolnshire.  

Martin Bacon Academy can provide up to 130 places for young people aged three to 19 years old with complex and significant learning needs in cognition and learning. Supporting each student, teaching is designed and delivered to meet the specific needs of individuals. 

Supporting secondary learning 

The secondary school, Northstowe Secondary College, is also run by Meridian Trust. The school offers an inclusive, innovative, and aspirational modern learning environment, featuring state-of-the-art facilities for science, catering and hospitality, the arts, and sports and leisure. It was rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in its first inspection in March this year, with leadership rated as ‘outstanding’. 

In keeping with Northstowe's affinity to the outdoors, the school’s sports provision includes spacious Astro pitches and a multi-use games area, as well as an indoor sports hall complete with four badminton courts. Supporting the arts, the school also features a drama room, a dance studio, and a theatre with a sprung floor and tiered seating. There is also a library and a dedicated community room, with the school having provided vital interim community facilities until the Temporary Community Centre was ready.  

The school initially opened in 2019 for 600 pupils aged 11–16 years old. It is currently being extended to 1,200 pupils before the final phase is set to see it extended to 1,800 pupils. 

 Expanding the education offer 

In 2024, Northstowe Secondary College’s first set of pupils will move past Year 11, marking a significant milestone for the town. Providing post-16 education, Northstowe Sixth Form College is set to open in September 2024. 

Construction is already underway to build the 400-place sixth form - part of the wider works currently ongoing to extend the Northstowe Learning Community in the Stirling Road site further. The development will include a major expansion of Northstowe Secondary College to provide an additional 600 places, as well as the creation of a brand new 630-place primary school, and a new pre-school offering 156 half-day places.  

Government land and funding provided by Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, is being used to provide these facilities. Cambridgeshire County Council is managing the major development, with construction partner, Kier, leading on the design and build of the facilities. Meridian Trust will lead on education provision at the primary school, existing secondary school, and sixth form. 

Looking forward…

Northstowe is Cambridgeshire's newest town under development and will continue to grow over the next two decades. In the future, the town will have a total of eight dedicated schools, including facilities providing preschool, nursery, primary, secondary, sixth form, and special educational needs (SEN) education.  

A wide variety of skills are required to build a town from scratch and Northstowe will benefit from partnerships between schools and local businesses for local apprentice schemes