OA - Cambridge, Cambridge

In its own words: "Find out how children and young people (13 - 16 years old) can be offered a place at our academy. A supportive and innovative place to work. Join a team of people who are passionate about removing barriers to learning for children and young people. A pioneering network of alternative provision academies across London, Kent and the East of England."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our academy supports children and young people who have often experienced difficulty in learning in mainstream schools. We offer our students the chance to learn in small, well-supported groups with a focus on purposeful learning."

Across Cambridgeshire, 88% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 97% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Cambridgeshire lodged 380 appeals against secondary school offers; 306 reached a hearing and 92 succeeded (30.1% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to OA - Cambridge are Chesterton Community College (0.3 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 65.4); North Cambridge Academy (0.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.6); Parkside Community College (1 mile, Outstanding, Attainment 8 65.9); and Impington Village College (2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 61.4).

OA - Cambridge is one of 6 schools run by Olive Academies, an academy trust.

80% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 2 pupils (40%) received SEN support and 2 (40%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Cambridge North Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ascham Road (near), 160 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood OA - Cambridge stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 622 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Cambridgeshire (57), as is usual near a town centre.

The primary schools closest to OA - Cambridge are Milton Road Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Arbury Primary School (0.4 miles), St Luke's CofE Primary School (0.6 miles) and The Grove Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.