Cambridge 2030 has brokered a long-term partnership between North Cambridge Academy, Stephen Perse Cambridge and Costello Medical, established in 2019 for the benefit of students and staff from each of the schools as well as Costello Medical's employees.
The partnership has evolved to include specific subject tuition support, work experience and career mentoring, plus 100% bursaries for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at Stephen Perse Cambridge’s Sixth Form.
In 2025, AstraZeneca joined the collaboration, bringing significant new resources and opportunities to young people in North Cambridge.
Transforming lives through collaboration
North Cambridge Futures was designed to address the challenges faced by people, particularly children and young people, living with disadvantage in Cambridge. The partnership aims to raise aspirations, drive social mobility and promote prosperity for future generations in North Cambridge.
Central to this initiative is a bursary programme offering fully funded places at Stephen Perse Cambridge Sixth Form for disadvantaged students from North Cambridge Academy. Beyond the bursaries, the partnership benefits the whole North Cambridge Academy community through a bespoke package of academic interventions, work experience opportunities, mentoring and cultural experiences.
growing impact
The collaboration has already delivered remarkable results. North Cambridge Academy has seen a marked shift in ambition among students and families, with a continued rise in first choice applications, increased uptake of work experience and mentoring opportunities, and more students moving on with purpose and confidence to sixth form, prestigious universities, apprenticeships and careers.
astrazeneca joins the partnership
North Cambridge Futures was proud to announce that AstraZeneca, the global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, recently joined the partnership. This represents a significant milestone in the collaboration's evolution and expansion. Building on the work of the founding organisations, AstraZeneca’s involvement will enable students from North Cambridge Academy to engage in their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programme, offering opportunities such as:
- Student mentoring and work experience placements
- Visits to the STEM Inspiration lab at their global headquarters in Cambridge, The Discovery Centre, opening doors to experience hands on cutting-edge science and innovation
- Participation in their award-winning “Active Science Programme” in partnership with the Cambridge United Foundation
- Career pathway development and skills training
- Bursary programme funding pledge to the Stephen Perse Cambridge Sixth Form
With AstraZeneca's support, the partnership has the potential to widen access to opportunities for even more young people in North Cambridge, creating pathways into STEM careers and providing access to world-class facilities and expertise.