Staffordshire University Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Cannock, Staffordshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 19. In January 2026, 153 of its 709 pupils (21.6%) were getting SEN support and 28 (3.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–19
- 709 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Staffordshire.
21.6% get SEN support
153 of 709 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.9% have an EHC plan
28 of 709 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty68
- Social, emotional and mental health38
- Autism35
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia13
- Speech, language and communication7
- Physical disability7
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 709 (places for 900)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rowena Hillier (Principal)
- Part of
- Staffordshire University Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 44.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Staffordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 137164
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Staffordshire council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, October 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in October 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Marston Road, Hednesford, Cannock, WS12 4JH
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Hednesford Valley High School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.2 miles
- Littleton Green Community School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Cannock Chase High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Beacon Independent School Independent · Ages 9–16 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Redhill Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 25.1%, EHC plans 5.5% 0.4 miles
- Poppyfield Primary Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 8.5%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.5 miles
- West Hill Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 13.3%, EHC plans 1.6% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Staffordshire SEND schools in Staffordshire
Questions about Staffordshire University Academy
How many pupils at Staffordshire University Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 153 of the 709 pupils (21.6%) were getting SEN support and 28 (3.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Staffordshire University Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (68 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (38 pupils) and autism (35 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Staffordshire University Academy?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Staffordshire University Academy?
Through Staffordshire council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Staffordshire University Academy?
You can ask for Staffordshire University Academy to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Staffordshire University Academy have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Littleton Green Community School, about 1.0 mile away.
Where is Staffordshire University Academy?
Marston Road, Hednesford, Cannock, WS12 4JH, in Staffordshire.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.