Smestow Academy is proud to announce that we have been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for The Award for Making a Difference – Secondary School of the Year as part of the 2026 Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Issued by The Teaching Awards Trust, the charity behind the Pearson National Teaching Awards, this recognition celebrates the transformational impact schools and educators make every day across the UK.

This certificate recognises our school community and is a moment of pride for the entire Smestow family.

The announcement coincided with National Thank a Teacher Day, celebrated across the country on Tuesday 17 June, which recognises the dedication, care and commitment shown by school staff every day.

At Smestow, we know that making a difference goes beyond the classroom. It is reflected in the relationships we build, the opportunities we create and the support our staff provide to help every young person succeed.

To mark this recognition, we are sharing a special video featuring comments from our pupils, who explain in their own words why Smestow makes a difference to them each day. Their reflections highlight what matters most - the positive experiences, encouragement and sense of belonging that shape life at our school.

We would like to thank every member of staff for the contribution they make to our community and congratulate everyone involved in achieving this recognition.

Watch the video below and hear directly from our pupils about what makes Smestow special.