picture of Janet Higgins

Nine out of 10 parents allocated their first-choice secondary school

• Nine out of ten Staffordshire parents (93.2%) have been allocated their first choice secondary school for September, with almost 99% securing one of their top three preferences.
• The results exceed last year’s national and regional average of around 83% and reflect close working between the council, schools and neighbouring authorities.
• Families are being informed from today (Monday)

Two men stood either side of a giant white sculpture of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Staffy, which is the county's new visitor mascot.

Trentham Estate becomes first official Staffy sponsor

• Trentham Estate is the first organisation to sponsor a ‘Staffy’ sculpture for a new public art trail celebrating 10 years of Staffordshire Day.

• The sculpture will be displayed in Stafford during the 10 week trail before returning to Trentham as a lasting legacy.

• Painted by local schoolchildren, the sculpture will feature Trentham’s colours and help promote Staffordshire to visitors and businesses.

Janet Higgins newsroom

Reaction to Government publication of the Schools White Paper

Janet Higgins, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Education and SEND, has responded to Government proposals to change the way support is delivered for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Mum Steph with daughter Isla

Staffordshire mum praises council’s email campaign as scheme helps 8,000 families

• Staffordshire parents Steph and Matt praise Staffordshire County Council's Hungry Little Minds campaign for the help its given them in raising their daughter, as they become the 8,000th family to sign up.

• The campaign gives advice on actions they can take with their child at each age and stage, including to read and talk to their baby from the moment they're born.

• It launched in 2020 and sends personalised emails to parents twice a month.

students who starred in campaign videos

Staffordshire students star in new school attendance campaign

• Secondary School attendance campaign, delivered by Staffordshire County Council, has launched.

• The I'm Here campaign is designed to boost school attendance by providing resources to schools and address challenges in pupils' lives.

• The campaign's webpage includes resources to help with mental health support and two videos filmed with pupils and staff of a Staffordshire school.