Award-winning education campus at the heart of Northstowe 

Northstowe Learning Community was recently named Best Education Project at the UK Forum East of England Property Awards. This recognition celebrates the collaborative and visionary approach taken in placing education at the centre of Northstowe’s development from the outset – and making it a defining feature of this bold new town. 

The award was received by Homes England, the master developer for phases two and three of Northstowe; construction partner Kier; and Northstowe Learning Community, part of Meridian Trust. Cambridgeshire County Council and Frank Shaw Associates, the architect and lead designer, were also key partners in the project. The project was recognised for its low-carbon construction approach, including the use of cross-laminated timber, air source heat pumps, and extensive solar infrastructure, all contributing to reduced operational emissions and long-term sustainability. 

The learning environment itself is fully inclusive, featuring sensory-friendly spaces, specialist SEND provision at the Martin Bacon Academy, and flexible, digitally enabled classrooms that adapt to different learning styles. The campus also boasts exceptional facilities for science, sport, the arts, and outdoor learning, all designed to inspire, support wellbeing, and strengthen the link between education and placemaking in Northstowe. Overall, this award reflects how education-led development, when done well, can anchor a new town and create real, lasting public value. 

A unique educational offering 

Northstowe Learning Community is the only all-through campus in Cambridgeshire offering education from nursery through to sixth form learning on one integrated site. The campus includes a dedicated SEND school, primary and secondary education, and a new sixth form, providing a unique offer that allows Northtowe residents to access inclusive education within walking or cycling distance of their homes. 

As one of the earliest buildings delivered in phase 2 of the town, Northstowe Learning Community has played a key role in establishing a strong social and educational foundation for the town. It has become a blueprint for how education can shape and support the identity and cohesion of new communities from day one. The award also reflects Northstowe’s broader commitment to placemaking, focused on creating not just homes but a vibrant and sustainable community built around education, wellbeing and connection. 

Northstowe Learning Community plays a central role in this vision. As the first all-through education campus in Cambridgeshire, it offers seamless learning from nursery to sixth form and includes specialist SEND provision at the Martin Bacon Academy. But its impact extends well beyond the classroom. The campus provides a range of shared facilities, including a sports centre and pitches, an auditorium, and flexible indoor spaces that are open for community use. These spaces help to enrich local life and strengthen social ties. By embedding education early in the development process, Northstowe supports family life, promotes wellbeing, and attracts new residents who are looking for a long-term home in a town with strong community values. 

Looking forward… 

As the town continues to grow, so does Northstowe Learning Community. Once fully developed, the campus will accommodate around 2,400 students. It is not just a place of learning but a hub of everyday life, rooted in inclusion, sustainability and opportunity for all. With further homes, infrastructure, and community amenities on the horizon, Northstowe continues to demonstrate how thoughtful development and early investment in education can create a place where families can thrive. 

For those considering making Northstowe their home, this award-winning educational offer is yet another reason to join a community where opportunity, aspiration and connection are built in from the very beginning.