Students going to university is the lowest on record

The number of pupils in a Staffordshire district going on to higher education has fallen to less than a fifth, raising concerns about their future employment prospects.

Figures indicate that qualifications across Cannock Chase at all levels – GCSE, A-level and degree – are worryingly low, with the number of students going on to university the worst on record.

The trend is being considered by district council chiefs as part of a plan to raise economic growth, take advantage of job opportunities and regenerate the town.

Despite a gradual improvement in GCSE results over the past five years, attainment levels have remained consistently below county, regional and national averages.

Just 19 per cent of local GCSE students went on to higher ecucation compared to a 28 per cent average for the county, with the skills gap widening further up the qualification scale.