Pupils who once felt disconnected now see school as somewhere they belong.
OA-Cambridge is celebrating an excellent Ofsted inspection outcome, receiving 'Exceptional' in Inclusion and 'Strong' in all other areas.
The inspection, which took place on 22 September under Ofsted's new inspection framework, recognised the academy's commitment to inclusive education and the significant difference it makes to the lives of vulnerable young people.
Outcomes include:
- Inclusion: Exceptional
- Achievement: Strong
- Attendance and behaviour: Strong
- Curriculum and teaching: Strong
- Leadership and governance: Strong
- Personal development and wellbeing: Strong
The report highlights the academy's success in creating an environment where young people feel valued, supported and able to succeed, recognising the significant progress pupils make both personally and academically.
This school does more than remove barriers. It opens doors that pupils and their families once thought closed.
These findings reflect the academy's commitment to understanding each pupil as an individual, building positive relationships and providing the right support and opportunities to help them re-engage with education and fulfil their potential.
Their voices matter.
The report also recognised the significant impact of OA-Cambridge's outreach provision, which supports vulnerable pupils in the local area beyond the academy's own community.
Through the specialist outreach team, including expert therapists, the academy has consistently secured notable improvements in pupils' engagement and behaviour. This sustained work has helped pupils at risk of exclusion to remain successfully engaged in education, demonstrating the value of early intervention and specialist support in helping young people overcome barriers before they become more entrenched.
The report describes the academy's approach to inclusion as a "defining strength of its work", recognising that its influence extends well beyond our own classrooms.
This is a fantastic achievement for OA-Cambridge and a reflection of the expertise, commitment and ambition of the entire academy team. Our strong outcome demonstrates the strength of the provision and the difference it makes to young people's lives. We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to access an education in which they feel they belong, can develop their potential and build a positive future.
Ryan Kelsall, Director of Education
We would like to thank the staff, pupils, Academy Advisory Board and families at OA-Nene Valley, who all play an important role in making the academy an effective place to learn, work and succeed.
You can read the full inspection report on Ofsted's website: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/22/142378