Smith’s Wood Academy, in Solihull, has improved more than any other school in the country, after years of work trying to turn its fortunes around.
Ofsted Inspectors’ latest report on the school, to be published next week, shows that key areas such as leadership, behaviour and attendance are all at ‘expected standard,’ and that no areas cause any significant concern.
Principal Steve Huntington, who joined the school in 2023 when it was judged to be ‘inadequate’ in every single area – the lowest possible rating – said it is a remarkable turnaround.
No other school in the country has improved so much under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, which began last November.
The principal, who has been praised by Ofsted for leading the transformation, added: “The new framework is very, very challenging and the report shows how far the school has come in the last three years and in a really short space of time.
“I’d personally like to thank all the students, staff, parents and wider community that bought into the belief and vision that we set out to achieve when I arrived here in 2023.
“Everyone has played their part and should proudly celebrate this outcome.
“Whilst we are obviously pleased with the report and gradings, we are still very determined that this is only the first stage of the journey.
“I am a tough boss, and we are looking forward to making even greater progress, with Smith’s Wood Academy becoming the best school in the area and getting the recognition it rightly deserves.”
Students’ behaviour was a particular concern in previous years, but Ofsted has now praised Smith’s Wood’s youngsters, with the report stating: “Pupils’ increasingly positive behaviour reflects the high expectations that leaders have of them,” adding that “pupils feel safe and well looked after” and “appreciate that their school has improved significantly.”
Year 11 student, Sherra Chan, said the school is a vastly different place from when she joined three years ago.
“The quality of the teaching is so much better and there’s better equipment and more options for clubs and activities and in general it’s just become a more friendly and inclusive community.”
Ellie Batchelor, who is in Year 9, joined in Year 7 and added: “In Year 7 it was hectic and I felt like people weren’t really going to lessons and now everyone is locked in, going to lessons and participating in the work. It’s much happier and people’s moods have improved. It’s not such a chore to come to school anymore.
“Mr Huntington has definitely improved the school since my sister came here, it’s definitely more strict and I like the structure.”
Smith’s Wood Academy is part of the ambitious Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust.
The Trust CEO, Simon Jones, said: “I am immensely proud of the staff and students for delivering these unprecedented improvements. This transformation is thanks to the collective efforts of many people over the last 3 years.
“The fast pace of improvements in leadership, behaviour and attendance cannot be underestimated, and I know that the team will continue to build on these successes.”
“It’s heartening to know that Ofsted has recognised the quality of education being provided to our students.”
Read the full report here.
