Staffordshire University Academy, Cannock

In its own words: "The new era at SUA6 continues a pace with providing an excellent Post-16 offer of curricular, extra-curricular and super-curricular opportunities at the heart of all we do. Our students as individuals remain at the centre of everything we provide, not just to ensure academic success but also to support, develop and grow the person."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Here at Team SUA we make a difference. We are proud to be part of Staffordshire University Academies Trust (SUAT). Our family of twenty-one schools has a collective mission to ‘Achieve Better Outcomes’ for everyone. SUA is a ‘Good’ school, as recognised in our last full Ofsted inspection (Nov 2023) ."

In 2026, pupils at Staffordshire University Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 33.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.7 in Staffordshire and 47 across England.

12% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 39% in Staffordshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 32.9.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.74: pupils made well below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 28.3, against 37.7 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 19 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Social Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 155 families put Staffordshire University Academy as their first choice and 287 named it as one of their preferences, for 169 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Staffordshire University Academy are Kingsmead School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.9); Cannock Chase High School (1.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 43.5); Cardinal Griffin Catholic College (1.3 miles, Attainment 8 38.3); and Norton Canes High School (3.1 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 43.5).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Staffordshire University Academy.

Staffordshire University Academy is one of 21 schools run by Staffordshire University Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 105 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 57% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 57 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 28% went on to university or other higher education, 9% to apprenticeships and 40% into work. 2% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

43.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 2.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 153 pupils (21.6%) received SEN support and 28 (3.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a moderate learning difficulty.

Staffordshire University Academy had 53 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Hednesford Rail Station, about 1040 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Huntington Terrace Road (adjacent), 160 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 235 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Staffordshire (86), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Staffordshire University Academy issued 227 suspensions, 33.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 7 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Staffordshire University Academy are Redhill Primary School (0.5 miles), West Hill Primary School (0.5 miles), Poppyfield Primary Academy (0.5 miles) and Pye Green Academy (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.