Red Balloon Learner Centre - Cambridge
11+ Admissions Guide 2026

The Red Balloon Learner Centre Cambridge is an independent co-educational special school for day pupils, located in the centre of Cambridge in terraced properties. It is a registered charity, one of five Red Balloon Centres, and is governed by a proprietor supported by a group of trustees. The centre extended its provision into an additional building in September 2020. The centre offers a combined educational and therapeutic programme for pupils who have not attended school for some time following severe bullying or other trauma. It aims to help pupils feel happy, supported emotionally, and valued, with a view to enabling them to move into mainstream education, post-16 education, work-based training or employment. each pupil works on an individual programme that brings together both educational and therapeutic work. Pupils travel from a wide area across East Anglia, representing many different family and cultural backgrounds. Many have identified social, emotional and mental health needs, and other identified special educational needs and/or disabilities include autistic spectrum conditions, dyslexia, and physical and sensory difficulties. A significant number of pupils hold an education, health and care plan.