Erasmus Darwin Academy

A personal-development programme covers wellbeing, health and personal safety.

“We have a thorough personal development programme covering age-specific topics needed for wellbeing, health and personal safety.”

Students have a specialist sixth-form team and personalised pastoral, careers and learning support.

“You will have access to dedicated study spaces, a specialist Sixth Form team, and personalised pastoral, careers and learning support. Put simply: you are never just a name on a list!”

At grades 7–9, results were at or within five percentage points of national standards across sciences, English Literature, arts, humanities, languages and Sociology.

“At the top end, we have performed comparatively well (at or in line within 5%) against the national standard in Combined Science, Triple Sciences, English Literature, Art, Music, Geography, History, French, German and Sociology.”

Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards are offered, with over 70 students enrolled annually across the three levels.

“The Academy affords students the opportunity to take part in the highly prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, with all 3 levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold) being offered, and as with the ski visit, this has grown in popularity and now sees over 70 students enrolled each year over the 3 award levels.”

Enrichment includes curriculum visits, community volunteering, mentoring, student leadership, international travel, fieldwork and placements.

“We deliver a wide and varied range of curriculum visits that enhance the taught curriculum. From volunteering in the community, mentoring younger students, taking on student leadership roles, to international travel, fieldwork, and work placements – we believe in giving every student the chance to grow as a person, not just as a learner.”

The ethos is focused on helping every student reach an aspirational destination and treating each student as a known and valued individual.

“What makes us unique is our ethos. We are here to get every student to their aspirational destination. We deliberately ensure that every student is known, valued, and supported as an individual.”

The sixth form presents hard work, high aspirations and limitless opportunities as central themes.

“Hard Work – High Aspirations – Limitless Opportunities…welcome to EDA Sixth Form!”

The Academy’s vertical House system includes students aged 11–18.

“We organise our Academy on a ‘vertical’ basis involving all our students aged 11-18 years.”

The sixth form aims to prepare well-rounded, hardworking young adults for employment and adult life.

“Our vision is simple…to create well-rounded, personable, hard-working young adults who are ready for the workplace.”

Applications from internal and external students remain open, with a named administrator and email provided for application details.

“Applications from EDA and external students are still being accepted. Please email s.such@eda.staffs.sch.uk (Mrs Such – Sixth Form Administrator) for further details on how to apply.”

Sixth-form applicants must meet general admission criteria; some courses have additional requirements and some subjects require an assessment during the first four weeks.

“Students interested in applying for the Academy Sixth Form must meet the general admission criteria as published in the Sixth Form Prospectus. A number of courses specify other particular requirements. In some subjects, a further assessment will be taken at the school during the first 4 weeks of the course.”

The sixth form provides guidance about higher education, apprenticeships and employment for students and families.

“Alongside academic excellence, we also provide first-class guidance on higher education, apprenticeships, and employment – making sure both you and your family feel confident in making informed choices about your future.”

Destinations include Oxbridge and Russell Group universities, competitive apprenticeships, careers and gap years.

“Many of our students progress to leading universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions. Others secure highly competitive apprenticeships or step straight into careers that ignite their passion. Some embrace life-changing gap years, inspired by the opportunities and ideas they’ve discovered here.”

The school reports a 2025 Attainment 8 score of 47.8, described as above the national standard but slightly lower than the previous year.

“Our GCSE Headlines outline that our overall Attainment 8 score was 47.8. This measure is above the national standard but slightly down on last year.”

In 2025, 45% achieved the grade 5+ English and mathematics basics measure and 70% achieved grade 4+, both above national averages.

“Our 5+ Basics measure was 45% and our 4+ Basics measure was 70%. Both measures are above the national average but slightly down on our previous performance for this measure.”