Staffordshire University Academy
About Staffordshire University Academy
Staffordshire University Academy is a secondary school in Cannock Chase that has seen a notable shift in parent sentiment and demand. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 265 applications for 147 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.8, with 126 first-preference offers made. This suggests that local families are increasingly choosing the school, despite its recent history. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2023 rated it Good overall, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2019. All five key areas inspected — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision — were judged Good. The school serves a community with high levels of disadvantage; 42.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. With 673 pupils on roll against a capacity of 900, there is room for further growth, and the school is clearly attracting more interest than it can currently accommodate.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
10 Oct 2023Source: Ofsted, 15 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Staffordshire University Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications