We are raising awareness of the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing this week, through our assemblies delivered by Ms Patel and Heads of House, but also through our mindfulness challenges, of which all pupils have been invited to take part in.  Using our 5 top tips for looking after our mental health, pupils have been challenged to explore each tip and record this, in return for a leadership commendation.  Year 7 pupils can also participate in mindfulness colouring at lunchtime and are being offered “time to talk” during the different lunch sittings this week.

Mental Health UK have created a Conversation Guide: Talking to someone about mental health. 

Please do read this if you need to.

On Friday 29^th September, we were delighted to hold a cake sale to raise money for Macmillan cancer support.  We were very proud of the generosity of our pupils who donated shop bought cakes for sale.  Staff and pupils donated money at break time to purchase cakes and manage to raise an impressive £144.07 for the charity. Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the largest UK charities providing specialist healthcare, advice and support for people suffering for cancer and their families.  Thanks to staff, pupils, parents and carers who took part and supported this event.

What a fantastic start it has been to the new academic year! 

Smestow academy have welcomed year 5 and year 6 pupils from Castlecroft Primary School to take part in a brilliant forensic workshop. This workshop involved pupils becoming forensic scientists for the day to investigate a crime that was committed. All the pupils showed impeccable behaviour and represented their school really well. 

A big thank you to the Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, staff and a special thank you to the wonderful Mrs Neish and Mrs Robertson for hosting such a great event.

At Smestow Academy, we are delighted that such a high proportion of our Year 11 pupils achieved some very positive results in their GCSE and BTEC qualifications.   We are pleased to announce that the percentage of pupils achieving a grade 5 and above in English and Maths increased by 6% and the percentage of pupils achieving a grade 4 and above in English and Maths increased by 8% from 2019 to 2023.  There has also been a 1.5 point increase in Attainment 8 headline figure when comparing 2019 and 2023. 

There were some wonderful performances from A Das (2 grade 9s, 5 grade 8s and 2 grade 7s), H Mann ( 3 grade 9s, 4 grade 8s and 2 grade 7s), P Thapa ( 3 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s, 2 grade 7s and a Distinction*) and J Singh ( 3 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s, 1 grade 6, 1 grade 5 and 2 Distinction*s)

Headteacher Ian Chamberlain shared ‘We are very pleased to see an increase in the headline figures against the most comparable data from 2019.  With a large proportion of our children achieving very positive results, we hope to see a greater number of them join our new 6^th form provision here at Smestow, in September.’ 

At Smestow Academy we are all very proud of the great achievements of many of our Y13 students receiving their results today delivering a 94.4% pass rate with 83% of the cohort having been accepted on courses at university.  There have been some outstanding performances in particular from E Kyei (AAB), E Martin (ABB), S Sigely (ABB) and L Webley (A, B, Distinction *) amongst a year group of hardworking individuals with a number of very strong grades. 

Headteacher Ian Chamberlain said ‘On behalf of all of us at Smestow Academy I am delighted to see so many of our learners achieving such wonderful results to enable them to move on to the next phase of their education whether it be university or apprenticeships.  The results are a credit to students, staff and parents and exemplify the hard work and commitment shown, particularly in the challenging climate they have faced in a post Covid environment and the subsequent grades awarded nationally.’ 

A level Results Day – Thursday 17^th August 2023

Results will be available from 8am till 11am in Dining Hall

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GCSE Results Day – Thursday 24^th August 2023

Results will be available from 9am till 11am in Dining Hall

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Pupils and staff all enjoyed a fantastic End of Year assembly to celebrate the progress made since joining Matrix Academies Trust in January. There was a fantastic atmosphere within the assembly as we presented a number of awards to individual pupils and Houses following a wide array of House competitions. Our first set of prefects were presented with their new ties by Mr Chamberlain before Ms Pitman and Mrs Butler presented pupils with Sparx Maths awards. This was followed by Mr Patel performing a karaoke showcase that is worthy of a Brit award due to his vocals and the accompanying dramatic acrobatics from G. Dillon (7G1).

The conclusion of the assembly was the presentation of the inaugural House Cup which went to Mr Craig and Holbeche House.

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We enjoyed a fantastic day of healthy House rivalry during our Sports Day with a staggering 204 different pupils taking part across all of the day’s events! Despite the poor weather at the beginning of the day, the weather held up and even began to shine as we progressed through the field events into the track events.

There were some fantastic House chants and support displayed from our pupils during these action packed races with all three houses taking Gold medals across the session. Ultimately, only one House could take the Sports Day Shield and that honour for 2023 goes to Miss Davey and Dawley House!

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We have recently contacted National Express to discuss lengthening the 751 bus route to help transport our pupils in the Goldthorn Hill and Parkfields area by continuing the route onto Bilston.  We are pleased to share that this request was supported and appreciate National Express’s support with delivering this!  Please see attached new route from September 2023.

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We will be holding a few open events this year to give all prospective Year 7 parents and pupils the chance to come and visit us. These events will give you a little insight into what is means to be a pupil at Smestow Academy and give you the chance to ask any questions you may have.

Open Evening will take place on Thursday 21st September 2023 | 4pm – 7pm

Open Mornings will take place between Tuesday 26th September and Friday 29th September 2023 9am-10am

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