The Centre School

The Centre School has been recognized as performing well overall, achieving a 'Good' rating across all inspected domains, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. The school caters specifically to pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, often welcoming students who have faced challenges in their previous educational settings. This context shapes the supportive and nurturing environment that the staff have cultivated, which aids pupils in overcoming their initial educational gaps and behavioural difficulties. Notably, the school has developed a well-structured curriculum that effectively builds on the varied starting points of its pupils, although there are specific areas of learning that require further precise identification. The strong emphasis on personal development and a wide-ranging extended curriculum is advantageous for pupils, allowing them to acquire valuable life skills and practical experiences. Continuous efforts are being made to support pupils' attendance and offer tailored approaches to address their needs, contributing to their overall positive educational experience.

Strengths

• High expectations for pupil achievement.
• Strong support for social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages engagement.
• Bespoke curriculum well adapted to pupil needs.
• Effective phonics teaching and prioritization of reading.
• Positive relationships fostered between staff and pupils.
• Strong personal development and extended curriculum opportunities.
• Growing sixth form providing valuable experiences.

Areas for Improvement

• In some subjects, the curriculum lacks precise identification of necessary knowledge.

In 2024–25 pupils at The Centre School attended 77.2% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 55.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 40.1% of pupils at The Centre School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 The Centre School had 4.4 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 6.3% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 The Centre School had 137 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: social, emotional and mental health.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 The Centre School received £25,899 and spent £27,066 for each of its 137 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £48,000 (£350 per pupil).

Across all 26 schools of Astrea Academy Trust, income was £8,290 and spending £8,206 per pupil.

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Cambridge · Cambridgeshire local authority: places and applications

The Centre School is part of Astrea Academy Trust, which runs 26 schools. The nearest others:

• Cottenham Village College Cambridge
• St Ivo Academy St Ives
• Longsands Academy St Neots
• Ernulf Academy St. Neots
• Lower Meadow Primary School Sheffield
• Astrea Academy Woodfields Doncaster
• Intake Primary Academy Doncaster
• Waverley Academy Doncaster
• Atlas Academy Doncaster
• Hexthorpe Primary School Doncaster

What is The Centre School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for The Centre School is Good, from an inspection in June 2024.

When was The Centre School last inspected by Ofsted?

The Centre School was last inspected in June 2024.

How many pupils does The Centre School have?

The Centre School has 137 pupils on roll.

What age range does The Centre School cover?

The Centre School for pupils aged 11 to 19.

Where is The Centre School?

The Centre School is at High Street, Cottenham, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB24 8UA.