Day 1

To celebrate World Book Day, we’re bringing a little mystery to our reading! 

Pupils have been exploring the bookshelves of different members of staff. They’ve been closely examining the titles, genres and even the decorations on display, looking for clues. Their challenge is to work out which staff member each bookshelf belongs to!

It’s a fantastic way to share our love of reading, spark thoughtful discussions, and discover new favourites together.

A new mystery shelf will be revealed each day! Can you guess who this one belongs to? Today’s selection includes an exciting blend of mythology, history, powerful fiction and global adventures.

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Day 2

A brand-new shelf has appeared!

Pupils have once again been putting their detective skills to the test during form time, exploring the titles, genres and clues hidden among the books and decorations.

What do these choices reveal about their owner? Are there any hints in the themes, authors or styles?

Take a close look… can you guess which member of staff this bookshelf belongs to?

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Day 3

Another day, another shelf to solve!

During form time, pupils have been analysing today’s selection, discussing recurring themes, favourite authors and the subtle clues hidden in the display.

What do these book choices tell us about their owner? Is there a clear pattern, or is this reader full of surprises?

Study the shelf carefully… can you guess which member of staff it belongs to?

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Day 4

The mystery continues!

Today’s bookshelf has sparked lots of discussion during form time, as pupils explore the range of titles and search for clues in the genres, themes and display details.

What do these choices reveal about the reader behind the shelf? Are there any standout hints that give it away?

Take a closer look… can you guess which member of staff this bookshelf belongs to?

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Day 5

It’s the final day of our Mystery Bookshelf challenge!

Throughout the week, pupils have explored each display during form time, searching for clues in the titles, genres and decorations to uncover the staff member behind the shelf.

Take one final look… can you guess who this bookshelf belongs to?

Meet Miss Field - our newly appointed Head of Creative Arts!

Since joining Smestow in September 2023, I have had the privilege of establishing the Performing Arts department at this wonderful school. I teach Dance and Drama across Key Stages 3 and 4 and am proud to serve as Heasd of Creative Arts, overseeing the four creative disciplines of Dance, Drama, Music and Art.

I am deeply passionate about nurturing pupils’ creativity and inspiring a lifelong appreciation for the arts. It is incredibly rewarding to work within such a supportive and welcoming school community, where creativity is encouraged and pupils are given the opportunity to express themselves and grow in confidence.

Outside of school, I enjoy staying active through dance, Pilates and the gym. 

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Meet our Assistant Head of House - Mr Sidhu

I joined Smestow Academy in September 2020 as a trainee teacher on my PGCE placement and have been proud to remain as a full-time member of staff ever since. I teach Mathematics across Key Stages 3 and 4 and also support our pastoral provision as Assistant Head of House, working closely with Heads of House and the attendance team to promote positive behaviour, attendance, and punctuality. 

Smestow is a fantastic school with brilliant pupils and a supportive, dedicated staff team that I am proud to be part of. I am passionate about helping pupils believe in their potential and feel confident about their future, whatever path they choose. 

As a young Panjabi male teacher, I am proud to be a visible role model and strongly believe that representation matters - every pupil deserves to feel seen, supported, and inspired.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and unwinding with films, games and podcasts.

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Meet our Head of 6th form and Assistant Head of Sixth form - Mrs Bryant and Mr Davies! 

Name: Mrs Bryant

Role: Assistant Head (Exams, Data, Assessment & Careers) and Head of Sixth Form

I joined Smestow in April 2024 and have loved being part of such a dedicated and vibrant school community. Alongside my leadership role, I teach A Level Biology as well as Science across Key Stages 3 and 4. I’ve been teaching for nine years and supporting students both academically and pastorally continues to be the most rewarding part of my career. I am incredibly excited to keep watching the Sixth Form grow and to help our students achieve their aspirations.

Fun fact: I’m a huge dog lover and share my home with two giant Newfoundland's and one very cheeky Labrador!

Name: Mr Davies

Role: Science Teacher and Assistant Head of Sixth Form 

I joined Smestow in September 2016 as a PE teacher and began teaching Science in 2017. I have loved how Smestow Academy has grown into a positive and successful community where pupils are well mannered and make good progress. I teach A Level Biology as well as Triple Biology to KS4 and Science to KS3 pupils. My additional responsibility in school is Assistant Head of Sixth Form where I support students in making the right choices in their next steps as well as ensure they make progress in Level 3 studies.

In my Spare Time I enjoy:  Watching football (I am a big football fan), listening to music and going on long walks with my family

Today our pupils had the fantastic opportunity to work with ME Dance Company for a day of creativity and collaboration.

They worked incredibly hard to create a powerful dance piece inspired by the industrial heritage of blast furnace labour in the Black Country. Through movement, they explored the toil, resilience, and brotherhood of the men who worked in heavy industry, reflecting on the legacy that helped shape British steel as we know it today.

We are so proud of the dedication, teamwork, and thought our pupils brought to this meaningful project.

We were delighted to welcome Altru drama who delivered a fantastic STEM education roadshow which was funded by BAE systems, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. 

The theme for this year was on the material world- engineering the future. 

Year 7 pupils discovered how everyday materials drive cutting-edge technology, saw STEM in action across engineering, manufacturing, technology and aerospace, and learned how creativity and problem-solving fuel innovation — all while being inspired by real career pathways !

A huge thank you to Altru Drama for such an engaging experience and well done to our Year 7 pupils for participating so enthusiastically! 👏

#STEM #FutureEngineers #careers 

New PE Clubs have launched this week for the next half term and we have already had some fantastic numbers across the week. Please also see our Couch to 5K poster which is an initiative we are running to raise the fitness of pupils that would like to within themselves but also to raise money for the Matrix charity PAPYRUS. A fantastic cause!

Be great to get lots of pupils involved in this with the end goal of running the Park Run at West Park on Saturday 16^th May.

Join us on Friday 6th March 2026 from 9am till 3pm!

Some of the exhibitors are:

Wolves Foundation​, West Midlands Fire, Aston Transitional Care​, University of Wolverhampton​, Wolverhampton City Council, Army

We’re very excited to hold our next book fair from Monday 16th March until Thursday 19th March.

There will be lots of fantastic books to buy, old favourites and new titles along with some great offers available including a £1 discount on every single book as a World Book Day offer, no voucher necessary, and every book bought will earn rewards for the school library.

We cannot take cash at the book fair, payment options include paying by card, online from home using the QR code slip issued by the library after pupils have chosen their book or by Scholastic Book Vouchers (vouchers and online payments must be purchased by midnight on Wednesday 18th March at Book Fair Gift Vouchers - Scholastic Book Fairs, please note change cannot be given).

Pupils can also win £15 or £10 vouchers to spend at the book fair by entering the World Book Day competition in the library, Book Stars in a Jar, simply guess how many book stars are in the jar, the nearest guesses will win the vouchers and every pupil entering the competition will earn house points, competition ends at 3pm Friday 6th March!

The book fair will be in the library before school, break time and after school each day during the week.

Last Friday our year 11s concluded their Human Geography fieldwork by visiting numerous sites around Wolverhampton City centre, their focus of the fieldwork was on regeneration in our local area. Students remained focused throughout the investigation and represented Smestow Academy brilliantly. Well done to all year 11s who have completed their Human Fieldwork investigation this year.

Why not continue the learning of the variety of topics that have been studied this half-term at Smestow Academy?  With a choice of activities to do at home or for days out, there is something for everyone!

Download resources HERE

To learn and make progress,
We need to see you.

This week we are running our 100% attendance promotion with a valentines theme!

Every child who is here every day and on time this week will be entered into a year group draw and will be in with a chance of winning one of three restaurant vouchers - there is a top prize of £50 and two prizes of £25.

“If you can’t take a date, take a mate!”