Audition prep is officially underway, and we’re so excited to see what you bring to the stage!
🎭 Don’t forget: Collect your audition pack by the end of this week if you’d like to audition.
💃 Auditions:
📍 Dance Studio
🗓 Tuesday 20th & Wednesday 21st January
⏰ 3:00–4:15pm
This is your moment to shine 🌟 We can’t wait to see the incredible talent in our school—let’s get our head in the game! 🏀🎶
On Monday 12th January 8 pupils from year 10 came to work with Mrs Butler during their lunch. It was the first of 2 lunch time sessions to help prepare them to sit the UK Intermediate Maths Challenge. Smestow Academy has never entered the Intermediate Maths Challenge before, but these pupils showed a real eagerness to challenge themselves to complete challenge that is designed for pupils in year 11 and below. Pupils have been completing practice papers at home and we came together to discuss strategies for some of the more challenging questions – particularly shape problems.
The 60 minute challenge will be undertaken by these pupils on Wednesday 28th January and we are really excited to see what these pupils can achieve.
Smestow Academy is proud to announce the results of its latest Ofsted inspection, which highlights a remarkable turnaround for the school since joining Matrix Academy Trust in January 2023. Previously graded as 'Inadequate' prior to joining the Trust, the academy has undergone a significant culture shift.
The inspection, conducted on 11 November 2025, marks the first time the school has been evaluated under Ofsted’s new grading framework. Smestow was one of the first 20 schools to experience the new Ofsted ‘report card’ system.
The report confirms that Smestow Academy is now fulfilling the expected standard of education and care, with several key areas secured at a "Strong Standard".
Mr Chamberlain said: "I am so pleased that Ofsted has recognised the incredible hard work and dedication of our entire school community. This report is a testament to the commitment of our staff, the support of our parents, and the brilliant attitude of our pupils. I am immensely proud to be the Headteacher of Smestow Academy."
A Culture of Excellence
The report awards a Strong Standard to Leadership and Governance, Attendance and Behaviour, and Personal Development and Well-being. Inspectors noted that the new trust and school leaders quickly identified what needed improvement, resulting in significant progress.
Lynsey Draycott, CEO of Matrix Academy Trust, commented: "We are delighted that we have been able to restore the reputation of Smestow Academy. The rapid improvements in attendance, behaviour, and academic outcomes show what can be achieved with an absolute focus on getting things right for all pupils."
"What it’s like to be a pupil at this school"
The Ofsted inspection team captured the positive atmosphere that now defines the academy, describing it as a "friendly, respectful community where pupils are able to be themselves". The report states: "Pupils and staff speak about the culture shift that has happened and why they feel happy to come to school"; "From Year 7 to Year 13, everyone is helped to become the best version of themselves". Students are "attentive in lessons" and "impressively open about topics that matter to them," such as mental health.
Sir Mark Aspinall, Matrix’s Chair of Trustees, said: "This transformation has been achieved by focusing on the kids and ensuring they get the best possible experience of school. We know they only get one chance at school, and our mission has been – and will continue to be - ensuring Smestow is a happy place where young people can learn, work, and thrive together."
Name: Ms Buparai
Role: Mental Health Support Worker
I am a qualified counsellor working as a Mental Health Support Worker at Smestow Academy. I deliver both one-to-one and group interventions focused on anxiety, emotional regulation, social skills, and self-esteem. I also lead the Student Wellbeing Ambassadors and actively promote mental health awareness across the wider school community.
I am deeply passionate about supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing and take a neurodiversity-affirming approach that recognises, values, and celebrates individual strengths and differences.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, walking, and visiting National Trust properties. I have training in complementary wellbeing practices and am currently training to become a yoga teacher. I enjoy yoga and wellbeing retreats and love travelling with my family and friends.
Name: Christine Stevens
Role: Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) for Reflexions Mental Health Support Team - NHS Black Country Healthcare Trust
I am the link EMHP in Reflexions for Smestow Academy. I work closely with the mental health lead and mental health team in school to identify what support we can offer. I provide one to one CBT intervention sessions to students in addition to offering whole school approach activities to young people, parents/carers and school staff. This aims to increase access to psychological therapies and support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing. I really value that I am made to feel a part of the team at Smestow and I enjoy coming along to the different events that are held at school. From January 2026 I will also be attending school to provide monthly drop in sessions for young people alongside the school nurses.
Interesting fact: As well as being an EMHP I am also a forest school leader. I love to spend time outdoors and one of my favourite ways to relax is to cook meals for family and friends over a campfire.
Name: Miss Malhi
Role: School Counsellor
I joined Smestow in April 2023 after completing my Master’s degree. As the school counsellor, I am deeply committed to supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing and mental health. I offer a safe and confidential space where pupils can talk openly about worries, challenges, and difficult experiences. My role is to help pupils make sense of complex emotions, build resilience, and develop healthier ways of coping, particularly during times when they may feel overwhelmed or unsure.
Before joining Smestow, I trained as a counsellor with the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, gaming and spending time with family.
As the second half term draws to an end it is time to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in science. This term one pupil from each year group has been awarded with a certificate and prize for the most answered questions! Congratulations to Aleena, Oliwia, Alhareth, Layla and Victor for working hard this term! We also congratulate 11E1 for being the form with the most answered questions by answering 4409 questions
Today we proudly held our third Mince Pies and Carols event! We are incredibly proud of all our wonderful performers who delivered a joyful celebration of creativity, talent, and community spirit. This special showcase highlighted the dedication and hard work our pupils have shown throughout the Autumn term, with their passion and confidence shining through every performance. A huge well done to everyone involved!
Next up on the Performing Arts calendar are High School Musical auditions — make sure you’ve signed up and don’t miss out!
Our pupils have recently completed their exchange with Dilmann Gymnasium in Stuttgart, Germany, after having hosted the German pupils at Smestow in March. This exchange was generously funded by UK German Connection, who are part of the British Council. UK-German Connection is a bilateral government initiative dedicated to improving contacts and understanding between young people in the UK and Germany. It was established in 2005, following Her Majesty’s State Visit to Germany in November 2004, during which Queen Elizabeth II and Federal President Horst Köhler launched an initiative to foster UK-German school and youth links.
Our pupils report below:
Monday 10th November
On Monday, we had to be at school for 2am to be able to catch our flight. We then took a minibus to Heathrow airport; We then took a tram to get to our hostel; we landed at Stuttgart Airport at around 10:20.
Once we got to our hostel, we dropped off our luggage in our rooms before meeting up with our partner school at their school. We then went on a guided tour around the City of Stuttgart. We also visited a museum where we went in the infinite lifts (paternoster lifts). We saw many historical places and buildings that were impressive and grand.
Tuesday 11th November
We started off our day travelling to our partnership school Dillmann Gymnasium. We spent one lesson with the students experiencing German classes, where we got to speak to students and find out more about them.
After this we took the buses to FANUC, an engineering exhibit. There were many different robots where we also got to test out a robot, one DEFINITELY didn’t break...
To finish off our night, after dinner we visited the TV tower where many of us got to take photos and bought souvenirs! This was a highlight of our trip as we got to see a view of the whole of Stuttgart during the night.
Wednesday 12th November
We woke up early, to visit the German school again, here we spent one lesson and then we made our way to the Stuttgart University.
Here we visited their makerspace where we made personalised stickers. After this we went to a different campus and had an AI workshop, where we tested a game called 'Draw it!’
Finally, to finish our day, we visited the supercomputer and had other small workshops throughout the tour.
Thursday 13th November
Day 4 was amazing. First, we went to Heilbronn University and went to a small 'Laboratory' - more a practice Laboratory. We did some AI race cars, looked at a miniature factory and we had lunch at the University. The food was nice and we learnt about mostly coding at the University.
In the afternoon, we went to a 5 FLOOR Science Museum. There are lots and LOTS of things to do. There are loads of rooms to go. For example: Space, Play area, Simulations, Robots, A WHOLE SCIENCE DOME! and many more.
Friday 14th November
Day 5 was mostly a chill day. Firstly, we went to the German school and did an evaluation at the school. We had lunch in the school too.
Next, we went to the town centre and had 1:45h free time around the city. Lastly, we went to a nearby shop and get packed tea. Then, we went back to the airport and gone home at about 1:00 in the morning. Thank you for reading.
We enjoyed this opportunity and had a great time except for the first day where we were so tired and just wanted to rest but it was still quite fun 🙂
We would all recommend signing up for an international trip. We enjoyed learning about the German culture and German schools. It was an eye-opening experience to the German culture and life in Stuttgart.
Things we learnt:
In German schools…
On 27th November, we were proud to host our 3rd Culture Day here at Smestow Academy. Culture Day originated from a School Council request 3 years ago and it is a day that our school looks forward to in the calendar!
This year was bigger than ever with over 25% of our school taking part in wearing their cultural dress. We also had lesson starters for each period of the day exploring cultures from Sri Lanka, LGBTQ+, Slovakia, Great Britain and Afro Hair, enabling everybody in our school to appreciate different cultures throughout the day.
There were dance and music performances with staff taking part too, along with a specially curated menu by our canteen staff, with a family recipe also featuring on the offer!
A huge thank you to all our staff and pupils for their fantastic efforts...what will 2026 have in store?!
We are very proud of how our students revise for their French assessments and exams at Smestow. Pupils are set revision homework on ClassCharts, with revision materials and knowledge organisers provided. Pupils then provide evidence of their revision as their homework. Below are examples of revision from pupils in 7X1. Well done to everyone in this class on a fantastic set of results. A special congratulations goes to Lara in Year 7 for scoring 100% on the ‘All about me’ assessment. Bravo, Lara!
Smestow Academy
Windmill Crescent
Castlecroft, Wolverhampton
West Midlands
WV3 8HU
T: 01902539500
postbox@smestowacademy.co.uk
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
