Cannock Chase High School

Admissions

Cannock Chase High School is the largest high school serving the Cannock Chase district with 1,500 pupils in attendance. The school is situated just north of the town centre, towards Blackfords, east of Cannock Chase Hospital.

The school has recently been re-awarded specialist science school status, specialising in both science and mathematics, which is reflected in the school's consistently high results in these areas. The school was successful in its first bid for the prestigious status under former headteacher Nick Hooper, continued under subsequent headteacher Mr Barrie Scott and current headteacher Ian Turnbull.

In 2011 it converted to Academy Status; a reflection of its continuing success.

Cannock Chase also has a committed PTA and governing body who continue to work towards funding for departments and overseeing the running of the school as a beacon of excellence in the area.

Grammar school

Cannock Grammar School opened in September 1955 as a coeducational grammar school. The sixth form opened in September 1959. By 1962 it had 650 boys and girls. Next door was Calving Hill Secondary Modern School.

Comprehensive

The school changed its name to Chenet Comprehensive in 1976, when it switched from a Grammar to a Comprehensive system. In 1986 Chenet Comprehensive school merged with neighbouring Sherbrook School, on Hednesford Road. The school became Cannock Chase High School.

Academic performance

Cannock Chase High School continues to produce excellent grades and also gained high OFSTED results in 2009, where the overall rating of the mainstream school was Good, and the sixth-form being awarded an Excellent in recognition of the school's success in AS and A-Level examinations.

In 2012 under headteacher Barrie Scott its GCSE results hit an all-time high, putting it as the best school in the area, and above the national average. The A level results continue to perform well, and in 2012 25% of the upper sixth were successful in getting a place at a top UK university.

Arts

The school also produces top-class work in the field of Arts, with a brilliant reputation for theatre production due to a dedicated and well facilitated drama department. The staging of an annual production often draws in crowds of pupils, parents, staff and also members of the general public. Often utilising the local Prince of Wales theatre, and drawing upon both the musical and dramatic talents of staff and pupils, the school does well to engage the town in the awareness of the Arts.

Notable faculty

Notable former pupils