Trentham Academy Review 2026: Academic Ambition and Community Strength in Stoke-on-Trent

Trentham Academy serves as a cornerstone of the local community in south Stoke-on-Trent, providing a co-educational environment for approximately 780 students aged 11 to 16. As a lead school within the City Learning Trust, it has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade, evolving from a period of uncertainty into one of the city's most consistent academic performers. The 2024 GCSE results place the academy in the top tier of schools in Stoke-on-Trent, reflecting a culture of high expectations and structured support.

The school is currently transitioning in leadership; Emma Wagg is set to take over as Principal from September 2025, succeeding Mike Whittingham, who led the academy through its most recent successful era. Ms Wagg, who has been with the school for 15 years in various senior roles, brings deep institutional knowledge and a focus on maintaining the academy’s high standards. The physical site, situated on Allerton Road, blends traditional secondary school architecture with modernised specialist facilities, including a refurbished sports hall and updated technology suites.

The atmosphere at Trentham Academy is purposeful and orderly. During lesson transitions, the corridors move with efficiency, a result of the school's clear behavior protocols and high visibility of senior leadership. The school operates on three core houses, Apollo, Pioneer, and Voyager, which foster a sense of belonging and healthy competition through a series of annual house events.

Being part of the City Learning Trust provides the academy with a broader network of expertise and resources. While it maintains its own distinct identity, the school benefits from shared best practices and cross-trust competitions. The student body is diverse, and there is a genuine sense of inclusivity, with students from various backgrounds working collaboratively in the classroom and during extracurricular sessions.

The school site itself is compact but well-utilised. The glass-fronted entrance leads into a reception area that displays student achievements prominently. Outside, the playing fields and astroturf pitch provide ample space for physical education and social time, while the central courtyard serves as a sheltered hub for students during breaks.

Trentham Academy consistently achieves results that exceed local averages. In 2024, the school attained an Attainment 8 score of 50.8, which is comfortably above the England average of 45.9. This metric, which measures achievement across eight key subjects, highlights the breadth of the academic success here.

The Progress 8 score of +0.21 is particularly significant for parents. This indicates that students at Trentham make better progress from their primary school starting points than the average student in England. Locally, the school ranks 6th among secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent, a position that cements its status as a high-performing choice within the city.

In terms of specific benchmarks, 20.3% of students achieved grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), which requires strong passes in English, mathematics, sciences, a language, and history or geography. The academy ranks 1,341st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it within the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical band) but near the top of its local authority table.

Teaching at Trentham Academy follows a structured, evidence-based approach. Lessons typically begin with retrieval practice to consolidate prior knowledge before moving into new material. Teachers are noted for their subject expertise, particularly in the core areas of English and mathematics, where results are especially strong.

The curriculum is designed to be ambitious, with a strong emphasis on the EBacc subjects. However, the academy also maintains a range of creative and technical options. Students can choose from subjects such as Fine Art, Design Technology, and Hospitality and Catering, ensuring that those with vocational interests are well-catered for alongside the more academic pathways.

Assessment is frequent but purposeful. Data from mid-term assessments is used to identify students who may be falling behind, leading to targeted interventions such as small-group tutoring or after-school revision clinics. This proactive approach to tracking progress is a key driver behind the school's positive Progress 8 score.

Securing a place at Trentham Academy has become increasingly competitive as its reputation has grown. For the most recent intake, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 473 applications for just 154 places. This equates to more than three applications for every available desk, making it one of the most in-demand schools in the Stoke-on-Trent Local Authority.

The admission process is coordinated by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. After children with an EHCP naming the school and looked-after children, priority is given to siblings and then to those living closest to the school. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to previous years' intake patterns.

Prospective families are encouraged to attend the annual open evening in September. Because the school is at capacity, mid-year transfers are rare and usually dependent on a student leaving the area.

Pastoral care is organized through a year-group system, with each student assigned a form tutor who acts as the first point of contact. This system ensures that every student is known individually, even as the school has grown in popularity. The academy employs dedicated non-teaching pastoral leads for each year group, allowing for immediate support when social or emotional issues arise.

The school's approach to wellbeing is proactive rather than reactive. Mental health awareness is integrated into the Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) curriculum, and the school has clear pathways for students needing more intensive support, including access to school-based counselors.

Behavior is managed through a clear system of sanctions and rewards. The latest Ofsted report rated personal development and leadership as Outstanding, noting that the school has high expectations for student conduct. Bullying is dealt with swiftly, and the school uses student voice surveys to monitor the social climate of the playground and corridors.

The extracurricular life at Trentham Academy is vibrant and well-attended. The school places a high value on competitive sport, with the academy teams representing the school in football, netball, and athletics across the city and county. The floodlit astroturf and multi-use games area allow fixtures to continue throughout the winter months.

STEM Excellence

STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are a major pillar of the academy's enrichment program. The school hosts an annual STEM week and runs popular clubs where students design and program units for local competitions. The science laboratories are well-equipped, and students frequently participate in the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) challenges.

The creative arts also have a strong presence. The school produces an annual musical production, which involves students from all year groups in both performing and technical roles. Music tuition is available for a variety of instruments, and the school choir performs at community events in Trentham and the wider Potteries area.

The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. After-school clubs and revision sessions typically run until 4:15pm. The academy is well-served by local bus routes connecting it to Hanford, Blurton, and the city center, although many students from the immediate Trentham area walk or cycle. There is limited on-site parking for visitors, but the school is easily accessible from the A34.

• Significant Oversubscription: With over three applications per place, Trentham Academy is exceptionally difficult to get into if you do not meet the primary criteria of being a sibling or living in very close proximity. Families moving into the area should verify the current subscription status with the Local Authority before assuming a place will be available.
• No Sixth Form: The academy only serves students up to Year 11. While this allows for a dedicated focus on GCSE success, it does mean students must transition to local colleges or other school sixth forms at age 16. Most students progress to Newcastle-under-Lyme College or Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College.
• Academic Rigour: The school's focus on EBacc subjects and high progress scores creates a fast-paced academic environment. While there is plenty of support, students who prefer a less structured or more vocational-led curriculum might find the emphasis on traditional subjects demanding.

Trentham Academy is a school that has successfully combined high academic standards with a supportive, community-focused ethos. Its impressive Progress 8 scores and Attainment 8 figures demonstrate that it is delivering a high-quality education that rivals more selective alternatives. Best suited to local families who value a structured, ambitious environment where academic progress is the primary focus. The main challenge for many will be navigating the competitive admissions process to secure a seat in Year 7.