Ofsted: Special Measures trending_up Places Available emoji_events #13 in Solihull public Top 44% UK

Smith's Wood Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Stephen Huntington

corporate_fareFAIRFAX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

location_onBirmingham, B36 0UE

language Visit Website phone 1217884100

verified

Ofsted

Special Measures

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

899

trending_up

Attainment 8

32.2

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#13 in Solihull

#3,134 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Smith's Wood Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Birmingham, serving ages 11-16.

article

School Summary

Smith's Wood Academy is an academy sponsor led in Birmingham, Solihull, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of FAIRFAX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 744 pupils on roll, of whom 65% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 32.2, placing the school #13 in Solihull and #3,134 of 3,216 nationally. 18.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 9.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Special Measures. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Inadequate, behaviour and attitudes Inadequate, personal development Inadequate, and leadership and management Inadequate.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.3× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 7 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 33.1 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

32.2

Grade 5+ E&M

18.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)9.2%

Entering EBacc25.60%

EBacc APS2.96

2024

Progress 8 Score

-1.52

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31.70%

EBacc APS2.86

2023

Progress 8 Score

-1.83

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

23.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17%

EBacc APS2.05

2022

Progress 8 Score

-1.22

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS3.03

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.68

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc24%

EBacc APS2.97

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.24

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS3.19

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

71%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)63%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)20%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

80%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)72%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)19%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

83%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)72%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)16%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

12 March 2025

Inspection Report

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10 December 2024

Inspection Report

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01 May 2024

Inspection Report

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11 October 2023

Inspection Report

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07 March 2023

Inspection Report

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01 May 2019

Inspection Report

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08 March 2018

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-03-07

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Inadequate

Education

Inadequate

Behaviour

Inadequate

Development

Inadequate

Leadership

Inadequate

2019-05-01

Academy First Section 5 Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2018-03-08

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2017-01-31

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

33.6%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

16.1%(120 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

2pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 744 pupils. During this period, there were 250 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 33.6%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	744	250	33.6%	7.3%	2
2024/25 (Autumn term)	749	244	32.6%	7.8%	5
2023/24 (Summer term)	775	138	17.8%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	781	80	10.2%	7.1%	2
2023/24 (Autumn term)	801	187	23.3%	8.2%	8
2022/23 (Summer term)	882	207	23.5%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	899	229	25.5%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	889	223	25.1%	5.9%	5
2021/22 (Summer term)	920	72	7.8%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	918	156	17.0%	4.9%	4
2021/22 (Autumn term)	924	196	21.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	948	59	6.2%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	950	6	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	966	35	3.6%	3.9%	2
2019/20 (Summer term)	966	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	966	42	4.3%	3.2%	3
2019/20 (Autumn term)	959	78	8.1%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	977	61	6.2%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	992	108	10.9%	3.8%	3
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,005	140	13.9%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,009	65	6.4%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,030	332	32.2%	3.0%	3
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,040	436	41.9%	3.7%	6
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,066	297	27.9%	3.0%	11
2016/17 (Spring term)	0	16	-	3.3%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 89 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 50 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 44 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 21 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 8 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

41.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

38.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree9%

agree23%

disagree27%

strongly disagree38%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree5%

agree14%

disagree34%

strongly disagree36%

don't know11%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree11%

agree21%

disagree25%

strongly disagree39%

don't know2%

not applicable2%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes54%

no46%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree17%

agree13%

disagree30%

strongly disagree40%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree13%

agree38%

disagree23%

strongly disagree21%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree9%

agree29%

disagree20%

strongly disagree30%

don't know13%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree7%

agree29%

disagree32%

strongly disagree30%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree7%

agree59%

disagree16%

strongly disagree11%

don't know7%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree23%

agree43%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know20%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree9%

agree21%

disagree32%

strongly disagree23%

don't know14%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes30%

no70%

Top Secondary Schools in Solihull

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Tudor Grange Academy, Solihull

Outstanding

location_on Solihull, B91 3PD

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Arden

Good

location_on Solihull, B93 0PT

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St Peter's Catholic School

Outstanding

location_on Solihull, B91 3NZ

emoji_events #3 in LA

Alderbrook School

Good

location_on Solihull, B91 1SN

emoji_events #4 in LA

Lode Heath School

Good

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Lyndon School

Good

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View all schools in Solihull arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Solihull

Tudor Grange Academy, Solihull

Arden

St Peter's Catholic School

Alderbrook School

Lode Heath School

Lyndon School