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# Smestow Academy

Success Achieved Together

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Stockholm Turing trip ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/stockholm-turing-trip/) - Our Stockholm Turing trip was an exciting and memorable experience for our year 8 student from all Matrix secondary schools, giving pupils the opportunity to explore a new city, develop their independence, and experience Swedish culture firsthand. The trip began with travel from their school to Heathrow Airport before flying to Stockholm and getting settled
- [Open Events 2026](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/open-events-2026/) - 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 it means to be a pupil at Smestow Academy and give you the chance to ask any questions you
- [💙 Standing Together Against Bullying 💙](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/💙-standing-together-against-bullying-💙/) - As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, our Smestow Wellbeing Ambassadors have been working in partnership with the Wolves Foundation Health Champions Campaign on an exciting student-led project. Last month, our ambassadors and Ms Buparai, Mental Health Support Worker, attended a health and wellbeing event at Molineux Stadium, where
- [Magic met science at our Harry Potter Day and Forensic Scientist Day!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/magic-met-science-at-our-harry-potter-day-and-forensic-scientist-day/) - Our Science Department has been bringing learning to life with two fantastic Discovery Days packed with exciting, hands-on practicals. Students channelled their inner wizards during Harry Potter Day, making magical slime, carrying out spectacular flame tests and creating incredible methane bubbles. Then, on Forensic Scientist Day, they became real-life investigators, using scientific techniques to solve
- [Duke of Edinburgh](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/duke-of-edinburgh-2/) - Another Bronze Duke of Edinburgh complete and what a couple of days it was. 22 YR9 pupils embarked on two days of walking over at Cannock Chase for a challenge that they probably hadn’t faced before. What an excellent job they did, sticking together in their walking groups and motivating eachother when it got tough
- [KayScience Reward](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/kayscience-reward/) - A huge well done to all our pupils who took part in answering science questions on KayScience! It was fantastic to see so many pupils challenging themselves, building their scientific knowledge, and showing great enthusiasm for learning. Congratulations to the pupils in each year group who answered the most questions. Their outstanding effort and dedication
- [High School Musical](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/high-school-musical/) - We are so proud of every single pupil who took to the stage and worked behind the scenes to make this production such a phenomenal success. Their talent, dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm shone through in every performance. A special mention must go to our pupils for performing with such professionalism and energy despite the soaring
- [Mon Quartier (My Neighbourhood)](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mon-quartier-my-neighbourhood/) - Congratulations to Trisha and Amelia in Year 10 for writing these beautiful paragraphs during the pre-topic lessons of Year 10’s next topic, Mon Quartier (My Neighbourhood) just after their speaking mock exams. The effort they have put in their independent writing is a clear indication of their readiness to explore the new topic. At Smestow Academy, our pupils are ever ready to ‘make a difference every day’! We advise
- [Summer Challenges](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/short-story-competition/) - Short Story Competition Stories must be 500 words or less and be their own original idea. Pupils can win House Points just for trying and there will be prizes for best story in each year group and overall best story. We will be sending out weekly tips for our budding authors over the summer holidays,
- [Silver Duke of Edinburgh](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/silver-duke-of-edinburgh/) - A huge well done to our Silver Duke of Edinburgh students, who successfully completed their assessed expedition last week alongside pupils from Wednesfield Academy. Across the three days, the group demonstrated impressive determination and maturity. Their navigation skills were a real strength, with students confidently following their planned routes through fields, woodland, and unfamiliar terrain.
- [Creating a Welcoming and Caring Environment](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/creating-a-welcoming-and-caring-environment/) - A huge congratulations to our 35 Year 7 pupils who have earned a place on our latest rewards trip for embracing the Smestow value of Creating a Welcoming and Caring Environment. Pupils will visit the Wolverhampton Archives for a Windrush treasure hunt, before walking to the unveiling of the new Windrush Monument and finishing the day
- [Christchurch Sports Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christchurch-sports-day-3/) - Our Year 10 young leaders, represented Smestow with great pride to support with the running of a Primary Sports Day. Throughout the morning, they demonstrated enthusiasm, responsibility, and excellent leadership, helping to organise events, encourage participants, and ensure activities ran smoothly. Their positive attitude and willingness to help created a fun and supportive atmosphere for all
- [🎬💙 From Pitch to Production! 💙🎬](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/🎬💙-from-pitch-to-production-💙🎬/) - This afternoon, we were delighted to welcome the Wolves Foundation to Smestow Academy as part of their Health Champions Campaign. Following our recent wellbeing event, where our Wellbeing Ambassadors pitched their idea for an anti-bullying awareness video, today saw their vision begin to become a reality. Working alongside the Wolves Foundation, students took part in a
- [Water Safety - Beckie Ramsey from "Doing it for Dylan"](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/water-safety-beckie-ramsey-from-doing-it-for-dylan/) - We are grateful to have been able to host Beckie from "Doing it for Dylan" this morning, who came to speak with our Year 8 pupils about the importance of water safety. Beckie spoke openly and honestly about a tragic incident that resulted in her son Dylan losing his life in the open water. Beckie
- [CCF Taster Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/ccf-taster-day/) - A fantastic day at Smestow Academy as the Army Cadet Training Team delivered a taster day for students in Years 7–9 ahead of the launch of our new Army section in October. Students took part in a range of exciting activities including a gun run challenge, laser clay pigeon shooting, hands-on demonstrations of the weapon
- [Sports Day 2026](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sports-day-2026/) - Dawley re-gain their title! After a year away, Dawley are back with their hands on the Sportsday trophy. They romped to victory last week with a fantastic display by all of their participants leaving Holbeche in 2nd and Graiseley in 3rd. What an excellent day it was out on the field and a fantastic display of
- [French Writing Mocks](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/french-writing-mocks/) - Congratulations to Ruby and Patrick in Year 10 who produced some excellent work in their French writing mocks. Ruby scored 44/50 and Patrick 48/50. Impressive scores in the first set of mock exams! We were also impressed with Freya in Year 7 for an excellent piece of independent writing in French this week. Her work
- [Smestow Academy Recognised in Pearson National Teaching Awards](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-academy-recognised-in-pearson-national-teaching-awards/) - 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
- [Emotional Health & Wellbeing (EHWB) Event](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/emotional-health-wellbeing-ehwb-event/) - Our Year 7–9 Wellbeing Ambassadors had a fantastic opportunity this morning at the Emotional Health & Wellbeing (EHWB) Event held at Molineux Stadium. Delivered by Public Health Children & Young People in partnership with the Wolves Foundation and Barnardo’s, the event gave students the chance to learn about the wide range of support available to
- [Big Bang](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/big-bang/) - Our year 8 pupils had an amazing time exploring the world of science, technology, engineering and maths at the big bang fair at the NEC. Pupils had the opportunity to interact with AI powered Robots, Drone technology and experienced VR headset. Allowing pupils the opportunity to have cutting edge conversations with universities and employers about the
- [🌞 Start the Day Right at Breakfast Club! 🌞](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/🌞-start-the-day-right-at-breakfast-club-🌞/) - Our Breakfast Club is open from 8:00am until the start of the school day, giving pupils a great opportunity to enjoy a healthy breakfast and settle in before lessons begin. 🥣 Free breakfast options available, including:• A choice of cereals• Selected fresh fruits 🍞 Additional breakfast treats available to purchase:• Toast• Pancakes• Other breakfast favourites
- [Meet the Staff](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/meet-the-staff/) - Meet our Teacher of Textiles & Food Technology - Mrs Preece I joined Smestow in September 2023, as a Teacher of Textiles and Food – both subjects that hadn’t been taught at Smestow for several years. Since then, I have had the joy of developing both curriculum areas and seeing pupils achieve and thrive in
- [Silver DofE](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/silver-dofe/) - A huge well done to our Silver DofE students who successfully completed their practice expedition this week alongside students from Wednesfield! Over the course of the expedition, students demonstrated resilience, teamwork and determination as they developed their map reading and navigation skills, pitched and packed away their tents, and battled some challenging weather conditions, including
- [French Update](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/french-update/) - Year 10 students have been working on the theme, Lifestyle and Wellbeing. The Writing tasks in their End-of-Topic Assessment include a picture description and writing a blog on the theme. To ensure they succeed, bullet points have been given for each task for them to follow. Congratulations to Sukmandeep and Riley in 10B, who have done themselves proud. The attached pictures show their work; Sukmandeep’s photo description and
- [National Thank a Teacher Day - 17th June 2026   ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/national-thank-a-teacher-day-17th-june-2026/) - National Thank a Teacher Day is celebrated will be celebrated in the UK on Wednesday 17th June. As part of our celebrations, we are inviting parents and carers to send their messages to our staff too! If you would like to pass on a message of thanks to a member of our team, please complete this
- [Rugby Tournament](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/rugby-tournament/) - The Year 7 girls took part in their rugby tournament this week and showed fantastic determination, enthusiasm, and teamwork throughout the event. For many of the girls, rugby was a completely new sport, but they embraced the challenge brilliantly and gave their all in every match. There were some excellent moments on the pitch, with
- [National Numeracy Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/national-numeracy-day/) - This Wednesday is National Numeracy Day - a celebration of everyday maths and the confidence it gives us in daily life. From managing money and cooking meals to understanding data and making informed decisions, numeracy is a skill we all use more than we realise. National Numeracy Day encourages people of all ages to build
- [Youth MP - Troy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/youth-mp-troy/) - My name is Troy and I am a student at Smestow Academy and I have been asked to write about an achievement recently attained. Some may recognise the name but for those who do not I ran for something called Youth MP and it is as it sounds, I am a Youth Member of Parliament. The whole thing started before Christmas when we put our names forward. We wrote applications and filmed ourselves being interviewed. We were able
- [Parkrun](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/parkrun/) - On Saturday 16th May, Smestow pupils took part in their very first Parkrun after working incredibly hard throughout the last term in the Couch to 5K club. Every pupil showed outstanding effort, determination, and perseverance on the day. With encouragement from staff and one another, they kept going all the way to the finish line.
- [Whats on: Wolverhampton Summer](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/whats-on-wolverhampton-summer/) - Same Difference Youth Festival 2026 We are now getting ready for #WvSameDifference festival 2025 please save the date! It is taking place in West Park on Saturday 1 August 2026 11am-6pm there is going to be lots of exciting things to get involved in and all the activities are FREE. Tickets will be released soon so watch please keep an
- [Matrix Football Tournament 2026](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matrix-football-tournament-2026/) - Smestow YR8 Football tournament perform fantastically well at the trust football tournament. On Friday 8th May, 9 YR8 boys and 2 YR7s travelling across to Etone to compete at the annual trust football tournament. A special mention must go to Lucas YR7 and Prince YR7 who were playing up a year group on the day and
- [The Global Spread: Where CraxsRat Poses the Greatest Risk](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/the-global-spread/) - Threat Profile Malware Type: RAT / Backdoor / Spyware Platform: Android Origin: Based on leaked Spymax code Threat Actor: EVLF (Believed Syria-based) 👉 Download here: 👇️ http://craxs2bqvt2ja3ry2awlg44fyrkzr2nsmkabr56cqf22phmzkcqdzhad.onion/Copy Executive Summary: The Resurgence of the Android RAT The mobile landscape remains the primary battlefield for threat actors, and the sophistication of Android Remote Access Trojans (RATs) continues
- [Speaking exams](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/speaking-exams/) - Congratulations to the Year 11 pupils who completed their speaking examinations last week. Pupils performed well on the examination which is worth 25% of their final grade. Congratulations to some candidates who went above and beyond the have inspired conversations. Pupils commented on how nature was good for your mental health and your soul and there was even a paraphrased quote
- [World Laughter Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-laughter-day/) - What's the best day to fry eggs? Fri-yay! Why is the hulk such a good gardener? Because he has green fingers! What is a bunny's favourite type of music? Hip hop! What did the melon say when his grass was going brown? I guess I better water-me-lon! (Mrs Ellison!) What do you call cheese that's
- [Matrix Netball Tournament 2026](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matrix-netball-tournament-2026/) - The Year 9 girls recently took part in a Netball tournament at Etone College, competing against six other schools within the trust. Throughout the event, the team demonstrated great determination and teamwork, playing to the best of their ability in every match. Each game provided a new challenge, allowing the players to test their skills
- [HSM Update ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/hsm-update/) - Pupils have continued to work incredibly hard throughout rehearsals, and we are now focusing on the final scenes and songs as we move closer to the refining stage in preparation for show time. Everyone should feel very proud of their dedication and the progress they have made so far—it’s really beginning to come together!
- [Revision Resources - Flashcards](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/revision-resources-flashcards/) - ▶️How to use Flash Cards ▶️ Flash Cards in English How to best test my Flash Cards ▶️ Cognitive science behind using Flash Cards
- [International Women's Day - Sixth Form](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/international-womens-day-sixth-form/) - To celebrate International women's day our Sixth form students and some of our Year 9 girls took part in the House of Lords International Women's day event online. This event allowed them to explore the current laws around women's rights, and also get an insight into the careers open to women within our government.
- [Easter Bunny Attendance Draw](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/easter-bunny-attendance-draw/) - During the last two weeks of term, we had a very special guest join us in the Academy. To celebrate our pupils amazing attendance the Easter bunny made a surprise appearance to hand out some Easter goodies to pupils who had 100% attendance. On the last day of term, the Easter bunny upped his game
- [World Autism Day - 2nd April](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-autism-day-2nd-april/) - World Autism Day takes place on 2nd April and raises awareness of autism, highlighting what can be done to improve the quality of life for autistic people. Here at Smestow Academy, we will be celebrating World Autism Day on Friday 27th March and invite all members of our school community to wear blue socks to celebrate the
- [Year 8 French Assessment](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-8-french-assessment/) - For the most recent Year 8 Assessment, one of the writing tasks was to write a short text about sports. Pupils were expected to write about the sports they do, how often they do it, the one(s) they prefer in each season, the sport(s) they would like to do, as well as the one (s) they did recently. In these assessments, pupils covered all the
- [Smestow Academy Shortlisted for National Education Award](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-academy-shortlisted-for-national-education-award/) - We are delighted to announce that Smestow Academy has been shortlisted for the Outstanding Progress - Secondary School Award at the prestigious Education Business Awards 2026. The Education Business Awards recognise the achievements of schools, colleges and universities across the UK that go above and beyond to improve education and enhance the lives of the
- [Paris trip – March 2026 ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/paris-trip-march-2026/) - In the dark and murky hours of Friday morning an excited but slightly sleepy group of twenty Year Seven, Eight and Nine Smestow Academy students boarded the coach for a four-day trip to Paris, the ‘City of Lights’. There wasn’t much ‘light’ at the 1am departure from school but, to the students (and parents’!) credit, they all arrived on-time and we were able to set off on schedule. After a fourteen-hour(!) coach journey, passport control and a smooth ferry crossing, we arrived
- [Performing Arts Update](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/performing-arts-update/) - We were incredibly proud of our pupils, who demonstrated outstanding commitment and enthusiasm in recent weeks. Alongside their ongoing rehearsals for High School Musical, they showed fantastic dedication, energy, and teamwork as they prepared for what proved to be a brilliant production. In addition, pupils took part in an exciting two-day intensive workshop with Marcia
- [Whole-body circuit training](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/whole-body-circuit-training/) - The lesson focused on developing overall fitness through a whole-body circuit training. Pupils worked in pairs, allowing them to support, motivate and encourage each other. During the lesson, pupils rotated through a variety of stations designed to target different muscle groups and improve both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength. The circuit included a range of equipment and
- [Celebratory Event at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/celebratory-event-at-smestow-academy/) - This morning we were pleased to be able to host an event in school to celebrate both International Women's Day (08/03/26) and Mother's Day (15/03/26). Pupils and their families joined us for refreshments, with a presentation of words written by our young people about their mothers. It was lovely for our families to be able
- [Community Week - Delivery of Donations](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/community-week/) - This week, our Year 7 Personal Development Ambassadors took the donations from Smestow Academy to our House Charity shops. Our community week activity last half-term asked for donations of goods that could be sold in the charity shops as an alternative to other fundraising events that we have hosted previously. This is a great example
- [Launching our CCF Cadet Force](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/launching-our-ccf-cadet-force/) - We are proud to announce the upcoming launch of a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent at Smestow Academy. At Smestow, we are committed to providing opportunities for every pupil, ensuring there is something for all interests, talents, and ambitions. The introduction of the CCF will give pupils the chance to develop leadership, teamwork, resilience, and
- [Health and Social Care Event](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/health-and-social-care-event/) - On Thursday 5th March, our Year 12 pupils successfully delivered their Health and Social Care event to younger students within the academy. The event focused on Health education, with pupils creating a range of high-quality posters, leaflets and questionnaires to help educate other pupils about healthy choices and food swaps. Year 12's dedicated a significant
- [Trust-Wide Community Art Project](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/trust-wide-community-art-project/) - During the first term of this academic year, pupils from across our Trust came together for a special creative project celebrating the theme of community. Hosted at Turves Green Boys’ School, pupils from each of our schools collaborated to design and create a vibrant collection of artwork that reflected what community means to them, their classmates,
- [World Book Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-book-day-2/) - 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!
- [ME Dance Company](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/me-dance-company/) - 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
- [Altru Drama](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/altru-drama/) - 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
- [PE Clubs](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/pe-clubs/) - 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
- [Careers Fair 2026](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/careers-fair-2026/) - 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
- [Book Fair](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/book-fair/) - 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
- [Human Geography](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/human-geography/) - 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
- [Stuck for ideas over half-term?](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/stuck-for-ideas-over-half-term/) - 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
- [Roses are Red, Violets are Blue...](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/roses-are-red-violets-are-blue/) - 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
- [Smestow Academy are working with Children North East!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-academy-are-working-with-children-north-east/) - We are pleased to be working with Children North East - an organisation that looks to identify barriers affecting young people and work alongside schools and communities to try to overcome these. All pupils have been sent a link to have their voice heard to their school email address. Parents and Carers will also be
- [Blindfolded Activity](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/blindfolded-activity/) - This week in PE Students took part in an engaging adaptive football session. Pupils took part in a blindfolded activity designed to develop their communication skills and raise awareness of inclusive sport. Whilst playing a modified version of football it encouraged them to rely on teamwork, verbal communication, and senses other than sight. The session
- [Knife Crime Assembly](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/knife-crime-assembly/) - On Friday we welcomed Alison Cope to Smestow Academy, to deliver a very important message to pupils in Years 8-13. Alison stressed the importance of our pupils making the right choices and being mindful of the impact their actions have on those around them. Alison shared her own personal story, which has had a profound
- [Bravo! Modern Foregin Languages Exams](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/bravo-modern-foregin-languages-exams/) - Congratulations to our Year 10 students who have performed well on their end of unit exams. They have been assessed on the Media and Technology unit and many pupils scored 45 or more out of 50 on the listening and reading papers. The writing papers also showed real promise with many pupils demonstrating their opinions
- [Science Club](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/science-club-3/) - Are you curious about how scientists isolate DNA from living organisms? Well, pupils attending Science Club got to answer that question this week! The young Scientists successfully extracted Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) from green peas. They added cold water and tablespoon of salt to green peas. The mixture was then ground up using a pestle and
- [STEM Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/stem-day-3/) - Year 8 and 9 pupils had a brilliant STEM Day with the Smallpiece Trust, taking on the challenge of designing and building a lander. Teams created and tested prototypes, focusing on stability, durability and cushioning to protect their payload on landing. Lots of creativity, problem-solving and teamwork on show as students tested, refined and improved their designs. Finally summarised their design
- [Higher and Degree Vacancy Listings](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/higher-and-degree-vacancy-listings/) - The Higher and Degree Vacancy Listings will be produced three times this academic year (October, January and April) by Amazing Apprenticeships on behalf of the Careers and Enterprise Company. Click HERE
- [High School Musical Auditions](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/high-school-musical-auditions/) - High School Musical auditions took place throughout this week, and we were blown away by the incredible talent on display. The standard of auditions was outstanding, making casting a very difficult decision. We are delighted to have announced our cast list this afternoon, with 35 of our amazing pupils taking part in the production. We
- [C’est quoi, une famille](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/cest-quoi-une-famille/) - 7x1 have begun their new French topic, C’est quoi, une famille’. This topic covers family members and describing them. Well done to Kodi S and Rista S for their excellent, extended written work with Mr Famuyiwa this week. Pupils have displayed our value of ‘Strive to improve and be your best’ this week. A special
- [Religious Studies Trip](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/religious-studies-trip-2/) - We recently took Year 7 on a Religious Studies trip to experience places of worship in Smethwick. We were warmly welcomed at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Smethwick Old Church and Smethwick Jamia Mosque. In each place of worship were given a tour and a talk about each faith and their place of worship. In the Gurdwara
- [Active Observation](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/active-observation/) - In Year 7 English this week, we have been developing active observation skills by “hunting” for outstanding work in the classroom. Using the visualiser, we live-marked exceptional responses together, modelling how high-quality answers can be refined and improved in real time. 👏 Harlee, Year 7 shared an excellent example, and this was live marked under the visualiser, allowing the
- [🎤✨ High School Musical Auditions are coming up! ✨🎶](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/🎤✨-high-school-musical-auditions-are-coming-up-✨🎶/) - 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
- [UK Intermediate Maths Challenge](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/uk-intermediate-maths-challenge/) - 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
- [Rapid Transformation in Latest Ofsted Inspection ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/ofsted2025/) - 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
- [Our Two Year Journey](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/2years/) - The journey to becoming one of the most improved schools in the country, two years since joining Matrix Academy Trust. We are proud of all our achievements so far, as we continue our upward journey through Success Achieved Together. Hear from our pupils, staff and parents about the transformation of Smestow Academy. Parental Comments -
- [Orange Wolves](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/orange-wolves-2/)
- [Meet The Team - Our Mental Health Team](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/meet-the-team-our-mental-health-team/) - 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
- [KayScience](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/kayscience/) - 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
- [Mince Pies and Carols](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mince-pies-and-carols/) - 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
- [Dilmann Gymnasium](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dilmann-gymnasium/) - 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
- [Smestow Academy Culture Day 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-academy-culture-day-2025/) - 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
- [MFL Social media post Smestow Academy December 8th 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mfl-social-media-post-smestow-academy-december-8th-2025/) - 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
- [Orange Wolves](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/orange-wolves/) - Smestow Academy is proud to support "Orange Wolves" which is an annual campaign in Wolverhampton aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence towards women and girls. The campaign runs from 25th November-10th December and encourages individuals, organisations and communities by wearing orange, sharing messages and attending events to support victims of violence. It is part of
- [Poetry Workshop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/poetry-workshop/) - Our students are joining young writers across the country as we shine a spotlight on creativity, self-expression, and the power of poetry. We are delighted to welcome poet Ayan Aden, who will be leading an inspiring poetry workshop with our Year 7 and Year 8 pupils this week. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to
- [Wolverhampton Literature Festival takes place in February 2026](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/wolverhampton-literature-festival-takes-place-in-february-2026/) - With FREE events across Wolverhampton over the weekend there is lots to do! Especially exciting is ‘A morning with Onjali Q. Raúf – Stories That Change the World!’ On Saturday 7th February at Wolverhampton Central Library. Onjali Q. Raúf is the Author of ‘The Boy at the Back of the Class’ one of our 16 before 16 reading
- [Lessons from Auschwitz](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/lessons-from-auschwitz-2/) - 3 of our Year 12 students visited Auschwitz-Birkenau last week. You can read about the visit from one of our students below: The trip to Auschwitz was a very eye-opening experience. Although we only went for a day, with no chance to rest, it was a very heavy-hearted experience. When we arrived at the airport in
- [751 Bus Timetable](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/751-bus-amendment/) - 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 route. 751 Bus
- [Children in Need 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/children-in-need-2025/) - Staff and pupils at Smestow have been fundraising for Children in Need. Staff fancy dress, pudsey Photo Booth, guess how many sweets in the jar and a staff leg wax have all been raising monies for such a worthwhile cause. Thanks to everyone for taking part.
- [Schools Unite in Remembrance 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/schools-unite-in-remembrance-2025/) - On Friday, 7th November 2025, all schools across our Trust came together to mark Remembrance Day — a time to honour and reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who have served, and continue to serve, in our armed forces. The event was led by the Cadet Forces from each school, who played a
- [Lessons from Auschwitz ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/lessons-from-auschwitz/) - We are pleased to announce that we have 3 Year 12 students who have completed their orientation this afternoon for the "Lessons from Auschwitz Project" ahead of their visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau next week. Students attended a seminar at the Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, taking part in workshops to understand what life was like for Jewish
- [French pronunciation](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/french-pronunciation/) - Well done to the Year 11 students who performed brilliantly on their speaking mocks at the end of last half-term. This useful guide will help with pronunciation of the tricky words than can appear on the read-aloud task. Pupils this week have been working on their read-aloud skills and have been completing their personalised feedback
- [Open Events 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/open-events-2025/) - 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 it means to be a pupil at Smestow Academy and give you the chance to ask any questions you
- [Nationwide visit Smestow Academy ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/nationwide-visit-smestow-academy/) - Only 40% of children in the UK say that they have had financial education in School. As part of our personal development offer, we are pleased to say that every pupil in School receives economic literacy. To enhance this offer further, we were pleased to welcome back members of staff from Nationwide who delivered financial literacy lessons
- [Saltmine at Smestow!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/saltmine-at-smestow/) - Last week we were lucky enough for Saltmine, a local Theatre in Education company perform "Filters" for Year 10 pupils. The performance highlighted the risks we may face in the ever-changing world of technology and the impact that our actions now, can have on our future. It also looked at peer pressure that we may
- [Culture Day 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/culture-day-2025/) - We are pleased to have launched culture day today in school! Culture Day at Smestow Academy is one of the days that we look forward to most in our calendar and applications are now open to participate! All pupils are welcome to collect an application form at lunchtime. Pupils are encouraged to write how they
- [The Parents Guide to Green Careers](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/the-parents-guide-to-green-careers/) - We’re proud to share The Parents Guide to Green Careers – 2025 Edition, a FREE and practical guide for parents and carers who want to help their teens explore future careers that make a difference. From sustainability and renewable energy to eco-design and green innovation, this guide helps families: ✅ Understand what “green careers” really mean ✅
- [Career In Teaching?](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/career-in-teaching/) - Every child deserves a great teacher… and that teacher, could be you! If you are interested in a career in teaching, why not train to teach here at Smestow Academy and BBSCITT where: 95% of trainees secure a full-time position in a school after completing their training with us. 60% choose to continue their journey
- [Year 9 Football](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-9-football/) - Year 9 Football Team show their class in their first fixture of the year. On 16th October, our Year 9 boys welcomed Wednesfield Academy to Smestow for a football fixtures. The lads have been very committed to training across the last few weeks and were really excited to get their first game of the season underway
- [Don't Ghost Us](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dont-ghost-us/) - Next week (Monday 20th – Thursday 23rd October), we will be running an Attendance Promotion to encourage excellent attendance during the final week of the half term. Here’s how it will work: Pupils who attend all four days will be eligible for a treat. Heads of House will distribute the tickets to forms during their form
- ["I can save a life!" - First Aid Training for Years 9 & 12](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/i-can-save-a-life-first-aid-training-for-years-9-12/) - Last week, Smestow Academy invited Wayne from "I Can Save a Life!" to deliver First Aid training as part of our Personal Development programme for our Year 9 and Year 12 pupils. All attendees were able to spot signs in the event of a medical emergency and administer CPR, meaning that they are now trained
- [Parisian Cafe](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/parisian-cafe/) - It’s been a very busy time in the MFL Faculty this term. We have welcomed Jeanne Robic as our French assistant. Jeanne will be working with our pupils to improve their listening and speaking skills in French. Jeanne is pictured here helping with the Parisian Café on Open Evening. Also pictured is S Chima and
- [World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2025    ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-mental-health-day-10th-october-2025/) - Smestow Academy are celebrating World Mental Health Day this week with assemblies focusing on this years theme of accessing support. Our mental health team are also offering sessions after-school (Tues-Thurs) giving our pupils time to talk whilst taking part in games, arts and crafts and jewellery making. We encourage our pupils to access support if
- [Sparx](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sparx/) - Year 7 students have been working hard on Sparx maths so far this year. We already have an impressive 8 students who have achieved at least level 5 and gained 5000XP. Well done to the following pupils: L Kalair A Mohammed Fowzul M Hamed E Heath K Pearce M Jabar O Adeleye
- [Smestow Alumni](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-alumni/) - Last week we welcomed back one our alumni, Ella, who shared her journey to become a pharmacist. Ella discussed with pupils the importance of taking opportunities throughout her journey, the emphasis on striving to improve and be your best and finding something you love and want to explore. Thank you, Ella, for taking the time out
- [🔥 Science meets sizzle! 🔥](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/🔥-science-meets-sizzle-🔥/) - At Science Club, we set snacks ablaze (safely!) to uncover the hidden energy inside. Who knew burning food could be so illuminating? 💥🍪 Come every Tuesday afterschool to take part in fun science experiments.
- [Linden Dance Workshop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/linden-dance-workshop/) - On Wednesday 24th September, 25 pupils from Years 7–11 were given the incredible opportunity to take part in a full-day workshop with the highly acclaimed Linden Dance Company. This was not our first collaboration with Linden, and over time we have built a strong and inspiring partnership with this professional company. Throughout the day, pupils engaged in
- [School Council](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/school-council/) - Monday marked the first school council meeting of the academic year. Representatives from each form group have been democratically voted in by their peers and will play an integral part in implementing new ideas, organising whole school events and being the voice of all pupils here at Smestow Academy. In their first meeting, pupils met
- [Welcome Mademoiselle Robic](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/welcome-mademoiselle-robic/) - We are welcoming Mademoiselle Robic to the MFL Department at Smestow Academy this week. Mlle. Robic is our new French language assistant, and she will be working with our pupils in both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, to improve their speaking and listening skills. She will be here until the end of May
- [Key Stage 3 Disco](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/key-stage-3-disco/) - Our first disco for Key Stage 3 pupils took place this evening! Raising money for Birmingham Children's Hospital, our Community Champions had organised a disco for our lower school pupils, complete with refreshments and carnival games too! DJ Stevo was on the decks, accompanied by a budding protege too! Thank you to all our pupils
- [Taekwondo World Championships](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/taekwondo-world-championships/) - Congratulations to F. Lys (10H1) who competed in the Taekwondo World Championships this summer! F. Lys secured a podium place by finishing in Bronze medal position. Head of Holbeche House, Mr Craig, is incredibly proud of F. Lys' determination and sporting success as this embodies the Smestow value 'strive to improve and be your best'! We
- [Let's get Social](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/lets-get-social/) - Staying connected with our community is a top priority, and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to stay in the loop. While our website continues to be a hub for important news and detailed updates, we also recognize that many parents and families prefer to receive information quickly and conveniently.
- [Year 5 Science Workshop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-5-science-workshop/) - Year 5 pupils from Castlecroft primary school became forensic detectives when they visited Smestow and took part in an exciting science workshop. They used their scientific skills to explore the world of forensics to solve a crime. The pupils were well engaged and very excited as they used sharp observational skills to crack the case.
- [European Day of Languages](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/european-day-of-languages/) - We will be celebrating the European Day of Languages at Smestow next week. Did you know that at our school, our students speak an impressive 34 different languages including German, Persian, Spanish, Arabic, Romanian, Farsi and Italian? Many of our students sit external languages in their home languages with many achieving grades 7-9. We were
- [Sparx Maths](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sparx-maths-homework/) - This week all pupils in school have been set homework on Sparx maths. Homework tasks are due to be completed every Tuesday by 9PM. This is monitored and rewarded by the maths department weekly. Opportunities are available in school for pupils to access homework support and these include use of the library, KS3 homework club
- [Smestow perform at Walsall Maker Fest!!!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-perform-at-walsall-maker-fest/) - We were lucky enough to be asked to perform at Walsall Maker Fest today. A celebration of a variety of arts from across the Midlands including story-telling, arts and crafts, music and dance. Two performances from our talented performing arts team were cheered by the crowds. Rain stopped play for the second performance, but our
- [Interns at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/interns-at-smestow-academy/) - Last term, we were happy to host a number of visitors to our academy who were completing an internship. Our guests spent three weeks at the school, in lessons and departments to gain an insight into working in a secondary school. It was fantastic getting to know them and working alongside them at our school.
- [GCSE Results 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/gcse-results-2025/) - Smestow Students Celebrate Fantastic GCSE Success Smestow students are celebrating a wonderful GCSE results day, with the vast majority of pupils delighted to see their hard work rewarded. A significant number of students achieved the very highest grades — 8s and 9s — across a wide range of subjects, including Art, Biology, Chemistry, Languages and
- [Celebrating Outstanding A-Level Results](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/alevel25/) - Smestow is immensely proud to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our Year 13 students, who have achieved a remarkable 98% pass rate this year. We are particularly delighted to report a 0.24 increase in value-added progress compared to 2024, marking the school’s best value-added progress from GCSE in many years. Headteacher, Mr Chamberlain, commented: “We are
- [Our Smestow Values](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/our-smestow-values/) - At Smestow, we understand how important your child’s future is, and this is reflected in our Academy vision: "Success Achieved Together." We are committed to helping your child realise their dreams and do everything possible to ensure their success. We value each student as an individual, working hard to support their academic, personal, and social
- [Maths in action!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/maths-in-action/) - 10xy3 have been studying the topic of trigonometry in Maths. To bring Maths to life we used a clinometer (a device which measures angles of elevation and depression) and a tape measure to try and find the height of the school building. We did get a variety of answers, most being between 8 and 9
- [Duke of Edinburgh](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/duke-of-edinburgh/) - DofE Expeditions 2025. 48 YR9 & 10 pupils have embarked to Cannock Chase over the last week to complete their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition and what fun was had by all. There was huge success throughout the days spent over at Cannock Chase, from navigating their way across the chase to cooking up a
- [Supporting Student Wellbeing in Wolverhampton](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/supporting-student-wellbeing-in-wolverhampton/) - With the summer holidays quickly approaching, we are mindful that some of our pupils might struggle over the break with not having routine or not seeing their peers as often. There is a new service available in Wolverhampton for young people to access to support their emotional wellbeing - Wysa. A free, private and non-judgmental
- [30 Years Teaching - Mr Thomas](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/30-years-teaching-mr-thomas/) - Here at Smestow Academy, we are grateful for the service that our staff provide to our pupils and the wider community. We are incredibly proud and grateful for Mr Thomas, who celebrates his 30th year of teaching here at Smestow. To honour this, we asked him to put his thoughts down on the changes he
- [MFL Matrix Academy Trust Paris visit launch](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mfl-matrix-academy-trust-paris-visit-launch/) - JULY 14 2025 Matrix Academy Trust is proud to announce a visit to Paris from Friday March 13th to Monday March 16th. 50 pupils from each school in the trust are invited to participate in the visit. This exciting opportunity is open to pupils who are in currently in Year 7 and 8 and will
- [Futbol Lingo](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/futbol-lingo-2/) - Teams of 6 pupils from each of our Trust schools recently enjoyed a football-related language learning enrichment activity with a company called Futbol Lingo at Barr Beacon School. Owner Pierce Kiembi is an inspirational football coach and linguist, who aims to inspire future linguists and open young people’s minds about the wealth of opportunities for people who speak other
- [Turing Trip - Italy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/turing-trip-italy-3/) - From 1st – 5th July, pupils from all Matrix Academy Trust schools, including Elmwood School who are joining the Matrix family in September, embarked on the final International trip of the 2024–2025 academic year. The 55 children experienced an unforgettable week in the heart of Italy. During their time in Italy, students explored some of
- [Year 11 Prom 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-11-prom-2025/) - 🎬✨ Lights, camera, PROM! Our Year 11s shone like stars at their Hollywood-themed prom at the Molineux on 26th June 2025. A night of glam, laughter, and unforgettable memories! 🌟#HollywoodProm #Year11Magic #MolineuxMoments
- [Sixth Form Induction](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sixth-form-induction/) - On the 23rd and 24th June we hosted our new Year 12 pupils for their Sixth form Induction day. The two days consisted of subject taster sessions where pupils carried out a locust dissection, joined our current Year 12 students in their maths and sport lessons and explored the careers available to them with an IT
- [Young Animator of the Year UK](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/young-animator-of-the-year-uk/) - The Young Animator of the Year Awards is the biggest animation competition for young creatives in the UK. It's free to enter and is a great opportunity to showcase creative skills. Students aged 11-22 can submit their work, get noticed by industry professionals and have their film screened at Manchester Animation Festival - the biggest animation
- [World Population Day!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-population-day/) - World Population Day takes place today on 11th July. It's aim is to raise awareness of world population issues. Here at Smestow Academy, we have taken the opportunity to celebrate the population of our school with Year 9 form groups researching into and creating displays around 10 countries that our children come from. Pupils have
- [Carding Mill Valley](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/carding-mill-valley/) - Here are our fantastic Year 10’s completing their fieldwork enquiry at Carding Mill Valley in Church Stretton, Shropshire, as part of their Geography GCSE. Pupils were asked to study the river characteristics of the Ashbrook from source to mouth and collect a variety of fieldwork data at various sites after a long walk up the
- [Dudley Zoo](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dudley-zoo/) - In Psychology this term we saw learning extended beyond the classroom, with a day trip to Dudley Zoo. Pupils conducted their own observational study, exploring whether mammals or non-mammals demonstrate greater sociability. The day included a fascinating workshop on how Dudley Zoo applies psychological principles in animal training, including how snow leopards are trained with
- [Lost Words Project](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/lost-words-project/) - As part of our Lost Words project, Year 7 pupils enjoyed a fantastic poetry workshop with freelance writer, novelist and performance poet, Emma Pursehouse. Emma was Wolverhampton’s first Poet Laurette and is a poetry slam champion. All pupils worked with Emma to write some amazing poems on the theme of nature, looking at poetic devices
- [Nature Words](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/nature-words/) - What a fantastic day we had this week thinking about some of the nature words we are losing with Manda and Chris from EKO (Educating Kids Outdoors). A small handful of the children were a little reluctant to begin with but still had a go and accidentally found themselves having lots of fun. We are
- [Matilda](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matilda/) - 🎭 Smestow Academy Presents: Matilda 🎭📅 10th & 11th July🕖 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)🎟️ Tickets: £3 via ParentPay Smestow Academy is proud to present Matilda, a delightful and dynamic stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved tale. Bursting with energy, humour, and heart, Matilda. tells the inspiring story of a little girl with
- [Induction 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/induction-2025/) - Smestow Academy welcomes Parents and Carers to the Induction Evening for our September 2025 intake on 1st July 2025. Further information will be shared about our school at the event, along with information from our school uniform stockists. We're enjoying our 3-day programme of induction for Year 6 pupils who are joining us in Year
- [Exciting Opportunity This Summer! 🎉](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/exciting-opportunity-this-summer-🎉/) - We're thrilled to share that Access Creative College is running a brand-new Summer Camp this August – and it's a fantastic chance for our students to explore their passion for the creative industries! 📅 Dates: 4th – 6th August 2025📍 Location: Access Creative College, Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth Designed specifically for KS4 students, these engaging
- [School Games Mark - Gold](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/school-games-mark-gold/) - We are very proud to announce that Smestow Academy has been awarded Gold for the School Games Mark in the 24/25 academic school year. This is down to the array of sports that we have on offer to all of our pupils here at the academy and the fantastic engagement that we have. Students uphold
- [The Mayor of Wolverhampton visits Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/the-mayor-of-wolverhampton-visits-smestow-academy/) - This morning, we were honoured to host Mayor Cllr Craig Collingswood to Smestow Academy. The Mayor was keen to see hard work that is being undertaken at our School, the improvements to our site and also celebrate the achievements in the Year 8 Careers workshops being delivered by Channel 4. The Mayor met with Mr
- [Prefects support at Induction Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/prefects-support-at-induction-day/) - We are looking forward to welcoming our Year 6 pupils today for the start of their induction programme to Smestow Academy. Here you can see our Prefects receiving a briefing at the start of the day, in the same way we may have in the world of work. Being a Prefect at Smestow in an
- [Futbol Lingo](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/futbol-lingo/) - On July 8th selected pupils from all secondary schools in the Trust will be participating in a languages event with Futbol Lingo. Futbol Lingo is an organisation which helps players to develop their language skills and was developed by Pierce Kiembi, a former player and UEFA coach. Pupils will have their chance to hear about
- [KS3 Disco](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/ks3-disco/) - Tickets for the first Key Stage 3 Disco to be held at Smestow Academy are now on sale from the school shop. This event is taking place on Tuesday 8th July and money is being raised for our Trust Charity; Birmingham Children's Hospital with all proceeds being donated. There will be other events taking place
- [Warinder Juss MP visits Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/warinder-juss-mp-visits-smestow-academy/) - Our personal development curriculum this half term focuses on rights, responsibilities British values. Year 7 are learning about our political system and year 8 are looking at law, crime and our society. This morning, we were honoured to host our local MP, Warinder Juss. Warinder spoke with pupils in Year 8 and Year 9 who
- [Sciengineering at Millenium point](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sciengineering-at-millenium-point/) - Pupils from Smestow Academy recently went on an inspiring trip to Millenium point in Birmingham, immersing themselves in a day dedicated to celebrating STEM. The visit provided a unique opportunity for pupils to experience the exciting world of STEM firsthand, sparking their curiosity and engagement. Pupils witnessed captivating demonstrations in the wizard school of stem
- [French Writing Exam](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/french-writing-exam/) - Congratulations to all of the Year 10 pupils who sat their French writing exam last week. We were extremely impressed with the complexity of their language and the effort that had gone into their revision. They really demonstrated our Smestow value of ‘Strive to improve and be your best. Our pupils were also able to
- [Matrix Awards Evening 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matrix-awards-evening-2025/) - The auditorium at Millennium Point was once again filled with excitement and pride as the third annual Matrix Pupil Awards Ceremony took place. Now a firmly established tradition, the event recognised outstanding academic achievements across all our schools while celebrating the unique talents and character of each of our pupils. The evening was opened by
- [Sparx Maths Winners](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/spark-maths-winners/) - Well done to our Sparx Maths competition winners. You have showed that you strive to improve and make a difference everyday with your commitment to Sparx maths.
- [Science Club](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/science-club-2/) - Our young scientists rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into geology, geography, food technology and science by building a deliciously accurate model of the Earth’s layers — using Maltesers, melted chocolate, marshmallows, and Rice Krispies! Here’s how we turned sweet treats into scientific understanding: Maltesers represented the solid inner core, dense and compact. Marshmallows stood in for the soft, squishy
- [Christchurch Sports Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christchurch-sports-day-2/) - 11 of our YR10 Sport Leaders had a huge impact on Christchurch primary school Sportsday on Thursday 19th June. With have helped lead this day from a number of years now and to keep being invited back shows how well our pupils do. Thursday was an extremely hot day so difficult conditions for everyone involved but for our
- [Guess my job!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/guess-my-job/) - Year 7 took part in an interactive assembly this morning, hosted by our Careers and Enterprise Advisor Carol Codner. The "guess my job" assembly was aimed at challenging stereotypes and getting our pupils thinking about perceptions that we may have about people in specific roles, but also what jobs are available to us in our
- [Final Countdown - Weekly Revision Topics](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/final-countdown-weekly-revision-topics/) - The Final Countdown: Weekly Revision Topics Stay on top of your exam prep! Each week, we’ll share key revision topics to focus on as we count down to exams. Let’s make every study session count. 5th May 2025 | Week 1 28th April 2025 | Week 2 21st April 2025 | Week 3 14th April
- [Trust Wide Sports Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/trust-wide-sports-day/) - ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST EVER TRUST-WIDE SPORTS DAY 2025! We are thrilled to announce a landmark moment in our trust’s calendar — the very first Trust-Wide Sports Day, bringing together more than 3,000 pupils from across Matrix schools. Venue: The iconic Alexander Stadium, Birmingham – home of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Date: Wednesday, 9th July 2025 This
- [MFL](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mfl/) - Well done to the Year 10 students who have been preparing for their GCSE mock exams which begin next week. Pupils have been revising the three themes covered so far and have been practicing the role plays at a doctor’s surgery, a cinema, in a restaurant and at a leisure centre. Pupils have also been
- [Primary Forensic Workshop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/primary-forensic-workshop/) - Year 5 pupils from Bhylls acre Primary School came on Monday to Smestow academy to experience what it is like to be a forensic scientist investigating a crime that was committed. Pupils took part in the following activities; Chromatography to match inks Flame tests Using hand lens to observe hair and clothing fibres All pupils were
- [Prefects 2025-26](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/prefects2025/) - It has come to that time in the year where our next Prefects for 2025 -26 have been selected. This year we had a record 52 applicants for 25 spaces. The selection process which consisted of a written application and interview with Heads of Houses proved very hard and in the end 26 Prefects were
- [Year 7 bake Pizza!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-7-bake-pizza/) - Our budding chefs have been busy preparing, creating, and baking their own delicious pizzas and they did not disappoint! From practising kneading and perfecting their dough, to choosing the perfect toppings, they’ve mastered every step with creativity and care. Swipe to see some seriously tasty results. #FoodTechFun #PizzaMasters #Year7Chefs #HomemadePizza #TastyLearning
- [Maths at Work Poster Competition](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/maths-at-work-poster-competition/) - The Maths department are launching a Maths at work poster competition. This is a national competition being run by www.mathscareers.org.uk with a £100 amazon gift card for the overall winner and further prizes of a £30 amazon gift card. Here is the brief: Choose ONE career to focus your poster on. On your poster explain how maths
- [URGENT NOTICE - SCHOOL CLOSURE TODAY](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/urgent-notice-school-closure-today/) - UPDATE: SCHOOL OPEN TO ALL YEAR GROUPS Smestow Academy will be open to all year groups as of Thursday 22nd May. The water issue has been fixed. Thank you for your support and understanding today whilst we rectified this problem. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow! UPDATE: SCHOOL OPEN TO YEARS 11 and 13
- [Smestow Teaching Principle: Practice.](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-teaching-principle-practice-2/) - They have been introduced to a range of techniques inspired by Frantic Assembly, focusing on how movement can communicate emotion and narrative. This week, pupils worked on creating chair duets to represent themes of friendship. Year 8 have shown fantastic creativity and collaboration, making great progress in this area and devising some truly impressive chair duets that reflect
- [Smestow Teaching Principle: Practice.](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-teaching-principle-practice/) - This term, Year 8 pupils are focusing on the concept of trust as a foundation for their practical work in dance. Developing trust is essential as they begin to explore Swansong by Christopher Bruce—a professional repertoire piece that powerfully explores relationships through contact work and lifts. Through a series of carefully structured tasks, including counter balances and trust falls,
- [MFL - May 19th 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mfl-may-19th-2025/) - 9X1, 9X2 and 9X3 classes sat their Unit 8 assessments last week on ‘Home and dream home’. The groups have really demonstrated our Smestow Value of ‘Strive to improve to be your best’. Here are some examples of their essays written under exam conditions. Pupils had to show their knowledge of the present tense, the
- [Book Donation from Rotary Club of the City of Wolverhampton's Books4Home scheme](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/book-donation-from-rotary-club-of-the-city-of-wolverhamptons-books4home-scheme/) - This afternoon, we are grateful to have received this fantastic donation of hundreds of books from the Rotary Club of the City of Wolverhampton's Books4Home scheme. Mike and Lynn Hardacre delivered books to our school Librarian Mrs Birtwistle. Some of the books will go on our library shelves but most will be given away to pupils and to
- [The Kings Trust Newsletter](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/the-kings-trust-newsletter/) - There are lots of opportunities with the Kings Trust, including free courses to support young people between 16-30 years old to build their confidence, find a job or start their own business. Take a look at their newsletter to find out more information about upcoming courses or becoming a mentor. #SmestowAcademy #SuccessAchievedTogether #KingsTrust #Careers
- [Mental Health Awareness Week - 12-18 May 2025    ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mental-health-awareness-week-12-18-may-2025/) - This week, we have celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week with "time to talk" at lunchtime and mindful colouring being led by Ms Buparai and Miss Mahli who are part of our mental health team in school. Our assemblies will take place with Mr Dyke next week where we will find out more about the theme
- [Reflexions Creative Event - 29th May 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/reflexions-creative-event-29th-may-2024/) - Smestow Academy are proud to work alongside Reflexions who are our Mental Health Support Team in Wolverhampton. They have invited students from Smestow Academy to take part in their creative event which is happening during half-term at the Merry Hill shopping centre. Take a look at the flyer and sign-up to take part! #SmestowAcademy #SuccessAchievedTogether
- [Reflexions Low Mood Webinars - Support for Parents & Carers](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/reflexions-low-mood-webinars-support-for-parents-carers/) - Smestow Academy are proud to work alongside Reflexions, the Mental Health Support Team in Wolverhampton. Mental Health Awareness Week is taking place this week and Reflexions have invited parents and carers of our school to attend a series of webinars to support their child. These are taking place on MS Teams over the half-term break.
- [Tsunami designs](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/tsunami-designs/) - During science club this term pupils from year 7 to 10 have to planned, built, and test wooden model houses designed to withstand a simulated tsunami. The planning phase involved researching tsunami impacts and applying basic principles of structural engineering. Teams sketched designs that considered stability, strong foundations, and how water would flow around or
- [Good luck for the summer examination series!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/good-luck-for-the-summer-examination-series/) - Our Headteacher, Mr Chamberlain led an assembly with our Year 11s this morning with some key reminders for them to "get it right" on examination days. This included how to prepare for the day ahead, remembering to read the command words in a question fully and looking after our mental health and wellbeing during this
- [VE Day at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/ve-day-at-smestow-academy/) - Today, we have commemorated the 80th anniversary of VE Day in school with a presentation during form time, door displays in History, the national 2-minute silence at 12pm and a themed menu in our canteen. We are grateful to all those before us who fought so that we could have the freedom and liberty we
- [Compton Care](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/compton-care/) - This week staff at Smestow Academy have been enjoying cakes made by their colleagues for another good cause. We have raised £97.50 for Holbeche House’s charity, Compton Care. Compton Care has been established for over forty years, offering specialist palliative and end of life care in Wolverhampton. It also offers patients specialist care in their
- [World Laughter Day - 3rd May 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-laughter-day-3rd-may-2025/) - World Laughter Day was celebrated at the weekend (3rd May) and in light of this, we asked our pupils what their favourite jokes were to share with you. We had lots of jokes submitted, but a few of our favourites were... What did the potato wear to his date? A jacket! Where does a pancake
- [UK Junior Maths Challenge](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/uk-junior-maths-challenge-2/) - On Thursday 1st May 60 pupils in year 7 and 8 took part in the UK Junior Maths challenge set by the UK Maths Trust. Every year pupils across the country sit the challenge in the hope of being awarded a bronze, silver or gold certificate. The challenge consists of 25 multiple choice questions designed
- [Spelling Success! Trust-wide Spelling Bee brings together all eight Matrix schools.](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/spelling-success-trust-wide-spelling-bee-brings-together-all-eight-matrix-schools/) - We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible success of our very first Trust-wide Spelling Bee – a vibrant event that brought together pupils from all our schools, in a showcase of linguistic talent, nerves of steel, and community spirit. Over 40 brilliant spellers from Key Stages 2 and 3 took to the stage, each tackling
- [National T1 Rugby](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/national-t1-rugby/) - On Thursday 10th April, a squad of Year 9 pupils took part in the National T1 Rugby series at Wolverhampton Rugby Club. Following an unbeaten group stage, Smestow progressed directly into the final of the tournament. Unfortunately, we narrowly lost out to our opposition. The squad were captained brilliantly by J. Howells who used his
- [Black Country Living Museum](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/black-country-living-museum/) - On Tuesday, our Year 8 cohort had an amazing day out at the Black Country Living Museum As part of their study of Wolverhampton and the Black Country during the Industrial Revolution, students got hands-on with local history — exploring coal mining, nail & chain making, brick making, and more! A brilliant day full of
- [German School Visit](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/german-school-visit/) - A huge shoutout to our amazing year 9 pupils A Phelps, A Bashir, D Tojo, G Dhillon, G Singh, J Kaur, M Copeland, S King, T Jones and D Eghwere who were incredible in welcoming pupils and staff from a school in Germany this week. The above pupils were brilliant buddies, and it was great to
- [Personal Development Calendar](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/personal-development-calendar/) - All schools across our Trust have been working collaboratively to recognise and celebrate key dates in the PSHE calendar. These are in addition to other events that will also be taking place in our individual schools. We are very proud to share our Matrix Academy Trust Personal Development Calendar which gives details of the events
- [Sharing Good Practice CPD](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sharing-good-practice-cpd/) - This evening, staff participated in a carousel of good practice delivered by each other. We have been privileged to have staff share their best practice in delivering our five Smestow teaching principles of review, share, chunk, check and practice to ensure that our pupils are engaged fully in their lessons and developing their curiosity for
- [Year 11 RS visit to a Gurdwara and Church](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-11-rs-visit-to-a-gurdwara-and-church/) - The Year 11 GCSE Religious Studies group recently visited Guru Nanak Gurdwara and the Old Church in Smethwick to support their studies in Christianity and Sikhism. We received a warm welcome and were given insightful talks about each faith and its place of worship. During our visit to the Gurdwara students also had the opportunity
- [Accelerated Reader - 25 million!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/accelerated-reader-25-million/) - We have read over 25 million words so far on Accelerated Reader at Smestow Academy #successachievedtogether 🙂 Our word millionaires so far this year are D.Mobolaji, M.Wright, A. Sulthan Ilyes & A. Oseghale of Year 7, I. Abiodun & K. Singh Kaur in Year 8. In Year 9 we have two pupils who have nearly
- [Year 10 Maths Feast](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-10-maths-feast/) - On Monday 24th March 8 year 10 students were taken to the University of Wolverhampton for a maths competition where they were split into two teams, competing against 6 other schools. The competition consisted of 4 rounds, where the students were exposed to different mathematical tasks, challenging them to think outside the box and approach
- [Teaching Robodog New Tricks - Powered by Year 7!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/teaching-robodog-new-tricks-powered-by-year-7/) - Year 7s are officially coding pros in the making! Today they took control of Robodog using programmed instructions. Making it move and wag its tail! From logic to loops, they're learning how tech comes to life, one line of code at a time. #STEMinAction #RoboticsInClass #FutureEngineers #SmallPeice
- [Year 11 Geography](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-11-geography/) - Last week our year 11 Geographers had the opportunity to complete their Human Fieldwork investigation around Wolverhampton City Centre. During their fieldwork, students were assessing the impact of regeneration on Wolverhampton by conducting environmental quality surveys, speaking to members of the public asking their thoughts and opinions about the topic, plus creating sketches of the sites that they
- [World Autism Day at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-autism-day-at-smestow-academy/) - Staff and pupils were invited to wear blue socks to raise awareness of World Autism Day taking place today. Neurodivergence recognises and values the varied way we all think, learn and behave. Here at Smestow Academy, our values include equality and respect for all and welcoming and caring environment - by wearing our blue socks
- [Our new workload resource published by the DfE](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/our-new-workload-resource-published-by-the-dfe/) - With our reputation for being at the forefront of workload reduction, Matrix Academy Trust is delighted to have another resource published in the Department for Education’s Workload Reduction Toolkit. The resource - which helps make the most out of valuable Senior Leadership meeting time. - originated at Smestow Academy in Wolverhampton and has been shared with
- [Parent & Carer Information Session: Exam Stress and Anxiety](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/parent-carer-information-session-exam-stress-and-anxiety/) - The summer exam season is almost upon us and our Year 11 and 13 pupils are working hard to ensure that they achieve the best grades possible so that they can continue to do amazing things when they leave Smestow Academy. We understand that this can be a worrying and upsetting time for our pupils
- [Scholastic Book Fair](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/scholastic-book-fair-2/) - We are very excited to have the Scholastic Book Fair in school next week. The book fair will be set up in the library and open before school, during break time and after school Monday to Thursday. There will be a fantastic selection of books including new releases such as the latest Hunger Games book
- [World Book Day Literary Figures Scavenger Hunt](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-book-day-literary-figures-scavenger-hunt/) - We have 3 fantastic winners for our World Book Day Literary Figures Scavenger Hunt! We hid nearly 60 Authors and book characters around school, some were very difficult to find, pupils had to find as many as they could during World Book Week. Congratulations to P Moyo for finding 47, E Osei Kuffour for finding
- [Sock Monsters Take Over Textiles!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sock-monsters-take-over-textiles/) - Our Year 7 students have been putting their amazing Textiles skills to the test, transforming ordinary socks into incredible sock monsters! From stitching to stuffing, cutting to customising, they’ve shown creativity, patience, and fantastic craftsmanship in bringing their unique creatures to life! #Textiles #CreativeLearning #SockMonsters #Year7 #Handmade #SewMuchFun #CraftingSkills
- [Red Nose Day at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/red-nose-day-at-smestow-academy/) - Today we have raised money for Comic Relief - a charity that supports young people and families here in the UK and overseas, and this year is its 40th year! We have had a samosa sale, a photo booth, a basketball and penalty shootout and an opportunity to "soak the teacher" featuring our 3 Heads of
- [Turing Trip - Morocco](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/turing-trip-morocco/) - The theme for the 2025 Turing visits was ‘not just tourists’. We wanted to encourage our pupils to not just visit a place, but experience the cultures within it immersing themselves in daily life through food, religion and cultural activities. Our first Turing visit for 2024-2025 was for Year 12 pupils travelling to Morocco. We spent
- [French food & drink](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/french-food-drink/) - Year 10 French students have been learning how to order food and drink in a café this week. Pupils created and performed their role plays in front of the class. For homework, pupils were asked to create a role play of their own, including questions from a waiter or waitress. Some superb work has been
- [Pi Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/pi-day-4/) - To celebrate Pi Day today Year 7 made paper chains to represent the first 10 decimal places of Pi. Pupils learnt a little bit about the history of Pi and that it is a never ending irrational number. They also saw Pi to 1,000,000 decimal places and listened to the Pi song! Each pupil made
- [Biggest Ever Girls Football Session](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/biggest-ever-girls-football-session/) - On Friday, the YR7 girls Futsal team took part in the #BiggestEverGirlsFootballSession at Aldersley Village. The girls played 5 games of Futsal against schools across the city and performed fantastically well, winning 3 out of the 5 games. It took them the first game to get used to the rules and surroundings along with some
- [BAE SYSTEMS STEM roadshow in partnership with RAF and the Royal Navy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/bae-systems-stem-roadshow-in-partnership-with-raf-and-the-royal-navy/) - What a great start to British science week ! Bae systems roadshow visited Smestow Academy to give both year 7 and year 8 pupils a fantastic opportunity to see what the world of science, technology, engineering and Maths is like in the real world. The roadshow involved exploring the science of Artificial intelligence (AI) and
- [Pi Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/pi-day-3/) - Every year maths enthusiasts celebrate Pi Day on March 14th (3.14) and this date also marks International Day of Maths. This year to celebrate Smestow Academy are running several competitions. During form time each form was challenged to create a tessellating design out of Pi symbols. The form with the most creative design will win
- [Spheros](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/spheros/) - We’re rolling into a whole new way of learning with Spheros!These little robots are about to take our lessons to the next level - coding, creativity, and problem-solving all in one! Can’t wait to see what we can program them to do! #Sphero #Computing #CodingFun #FutureEngineers
- [Careers Fair at Smestow Academy!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/careers-fair-at-smestow-academy/) - Today we have hosted a Careers Fair here at School in support of National Careers Week. Every year group has been invited to attend and speak with over 20 employers and training providers across the West Midlands and beyond. From the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton, to Oxford Brookes University, WM Jobs to Aston University and WATES
- [Reading Fluency](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/reading-fluency/) - Some of our pupils at Smestow Academy have worked incredibly hard to improve their reading fluency and have now graduated from the sixth form reading theatre with reading ages significantly higher than the National Average. This is a true testament to #successachievedtogether.
- [Year 10 Psychology](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-10-psychology/) - Year 10 psychology pupils completed their end-of-topic assessment on Development! This reflects Smestow’s teaching principle of ‘Review’, where students consolidate over six weeks of learning. Throughout this time, we have consistently checked for understanding, ensuring that students build strong foundations before tackling their final assessment. Well done to all students for their hard work, effort, and progress! 👏 Did
- [National Careers Week - 3-8 March 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/national-careers-week-3-8-march-2025/) - Here at Smestow Academy, we are celebrating National Careers Week in a variety of ways - assemblies are being delivered by our Careers Lead, our Careers Fayre is taking place on Thursday in the Sports Hall, Year 7 are attending a Science Quiz and a Girls Futsal tournament and we also have a BAE Roadshow
- [Law Panel Invite from Wolverhampton Grammar School](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/law-panel-invite-from-wolverhampton-grammar-school/) - Here at Smestow Academy, we pride ourselves in sharing opportunities for our pupils and creating positive partnerships with local Schools. We are grateful that Wolverhampton Grammar School have invited aspiring Lawyers from Years 10, 11 and 12, to attend "The Law Panel" which is a careers and networking event being held on Wednesday 12th March. Pupils
- [Year 10 Mock Interviews](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-10-mock-interviews/) - Last half-term, we were grateful to host Carol Codner, our Careers and Enterprise advisor who gave sound advice to support our Year 10 pupils prepare for mock interviews with local employers. Today, our Year 10 pupils attended their interviews and wow! Our visitors were so impressed by how our pupils conducted themselves, the clear research
- [Dawley house fundraiser for Wings and Paws Animal Rescue](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dawley-house-fundraiser-for-wings-and-paws-animal-rescue/) - Over half term Smestow staff have baked cakes and sold them to staff at the school. This was done to raise money for the Dawley House charity, Wings and Paws. We are very proud to have raised £127 for the charity. Wings and Paws is a small non-profit voluntary animal rescue, run by founder Clare
- [Vamos Theatre at Smestow Academy!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/vamos-theatre-at-smestow-academy/) - We are proud to be working with Vamos Theatre this afternoon here at Smestow! Vamos Theatre is the UK's leading full mask theatre company, taking its funny and fearless brand of wordless theatre across the length and breadth of the country and beyond since 2006. Vamos Theatre’s trademark style marries full mask with strong visual
- [Maths Puzzle for Mental Health Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/maths-puzzle-for-mental-health-week/) - As part of mental Health awareness week - 7X1 had a look at this puzzle in maths on Friday and tried to find as many words as possible These are the words they came up with in 10 minutes America Paul Grip Pink Apple Too Yet Flicked Cubes Circle Sold Learn Hers Paul was particularly
- [RAG Cards](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/rag-planners/) - Pupils in year 11 participated in a quick quiz on the Earth's atmosphere using their RAG cards in their planners. This demonstrated the smestow teaching principle of check for understanding and allowed the teacher to address any misconceptions pupils may have before moving on to introducing new content.
- [City of Wolverhampton Youth Council](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/4744-2/) - Congratulations to T.Cox and T. Jones who have officially been announced as successful representatives of the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council. Here they are pictured with The Mayor of Wolverhampton and Director of Children's Services. These 2 pupils will work closely with City of Wolverhampton Council’s directors and councillors to promote the voice of young
- [Children's Mental Health Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/childrens-mental-health-week-3/) - This week to celebrate Childrens’ Mental Health week and to support children develop the Smestow Mental Health Top Tip of “Keep learning” the maths department have been providing puzzles. Puzzles are a fun way to relax and supports mental health by encouraging children to keep learning and build resilience. Problem solving skills support pupils to
- [Globalbridge at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/globalbridge-at-smestow-academy/) - We are proud to have partnered with Globalbridge - an online platform that will allow our pupils to track their experiences and achievements, and work towards their long-term career goals. As part of our growing careers curriculum here at Smestow Academy, we wanted to enable our pupils to record the vast array of experiences that
- [Reading](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/reading/) - There are some wonderful things going on in reading at Smestow at the moment...we have some new class reads coming to the library for reading lessons for Years 7, 8 and 9Y2...can you 'Spy' what one of them might be? Very soon your English teachers will be giving out your World Book Day vouchers, to
- [French Pupils celebrating Children's Mental Health Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/french-pupils-celebrating-childrens-mental-health-week/) - Key Stage 4 French students celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week in their lessons this week with cupcakes baked for them by the MFL Faculty. The green represents the Mental Health logo and pupils were encouraged to enjoy a cake and think about the value of mental health. Year 10 pupils will soon be starting a
- [Children's Mental Health Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/childrens-mental-health-week-2/) - This week is Children's Mental Health Week. Set up in 2015, this year marks the 11th year of Place2Be raising awareness of mental health in young people. The theme this year is "Know Yourself, Grow Yourself" and encourages children, young people and adults to embrace self-awareness and explore what it means to them. This will help
- [Further Education Providers Assemblies at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/further-education-providers-assemblies-at-smestow-academy/) - Our careers programme here at Smestow Academy is underpinned by the Gatsby Benchmarks. As part of our commitment to fulfilling benchmark 7 (supporting our pupils in years 8-11 accessing further education providers), we were delighted to host Georgia from Walsall College and Sam from Dudley College this morning in school. Both colleagues delivered assemblies to year
- [Stem Day Workshop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/stem-day-workshop/) - Year 7's took part in a stem day workshop which involved them designing a station of the future and constructing a tunnel which will withstand the weight of 1kg of sand. It was a brilliant day and all pupils showed fantastic teamwork and leadership skills. Well done year 7 and a massive congratulations to the
- [Creative Arts](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/creative-arts/) - Mr Bryan is incredibly proud of how his Year 11 Art group have been taking full advantage of our teaching principle of "review" this week: "This week, we have been taking a holistic approach to whole class feedback. As a teacher I can easily see how my pupils are progressing as a whole. In turn,
- [Matilda Auditions](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matilda-auditions/) - On Wednesday 29th Janurary, we held auditions for Matilda JR. and were thrilled to see 33 incredibly talented pupils audition for a role in the musical. Over the past week, they’ve been putting in a tremendous amount of effort, learning their scripts and songs. During the auditions, it was truly heartwarming to witness the spirit of collaboration
- [Personal Development CPD at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/personal-development-cpd-at-smestow-academy/) - As part of our ever-evolving personal development curriculum here at Smestow Academy, we were delighted to host Amanda Evans, lead teacher for PSHE from City of Wolverhampton Council to our staff CPD last night. Amanda supported staff in delivering sensitive topics, ahead of our Relationships and Sex Education module which will be delivered to pupils
- [Smestow hosts Wolverhampton PSHE Leads Network Event](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-hosts-wolverhampton-pshe-leads-network-event/) - This week, Smestow Academy was proud to host the Wolverhampton PSHE Leads Network meeting for both primary and secondary colleagues. The sessions were delivered by Amanda Evans who is the PSHE Advisory Teacher in Public Health at the City of Wolverhampton Council. PSHE Leads from schools across the city attended to hear updates with regards
- [Equal Access!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/equal-access/) - Smestow Academy are delighted to have received a plaque this week from @TheFA commending us on providing equal access and opportunities for girls to play football whether it be in the curriculum and through extra-curricular provision. This is delivered through the #BarclaysGirlsFootballSchoolPartnerships to ensure that all girls can participate in our national sport. Smestow are proud to
- [Headteacher’s Pride](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/headteachers-pride/) - We're on the front page of the Express & Star. Headteacher's pride at once 'inadequate' Wolverhampton school which is now one of city's best The headteacher of a once "inadequate" Wolverhampton secondary school which is now one of the top performing in the city has spoken of his pride at the turnaround. Ian Chamberlain took
- [Aston University Opportunity for Years 9 and 10](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/aston-university-opportunity-for-years-9-and-10/) - As part of National Careers Week, Aston University is hosting a Parents and Carers Evening for students in year 9/10 to provide information, advice, and guidance on Higher Education on Thursday 6th March 5pm – 7:30pm. Please note, parents can arrive up 5:50pm (there is an optional campus tour at the start).Parents can book their place via https://forms.office.com/e/AkQXzA48Rx or find
- [Trust Wide Football Tournament](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/trust-wide-football-tournament/) - This week we hosted our first ever trust wide football competition between all our schools. The competition was hosted at Etone College and utilised the outstanding facilities and Football Academy provision to implement a very competitive and fun filled event. The day consisted of high quality and competitive football from Year 8 pupils from each
- [Health & Social Care - Careers Talk](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/health-social-care-careers-talk/) - Today, Sixth Form Health and Social Care students were able to meet with a member of our English department; Miss Wright, who before teaching was a Social Worker. Miss Wright discussed the university application process and what her degree was like when studying to become a social worker. She gave an insight into what the
- [Year 10 - Prep session for Mock interviews](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-10-prep-session-for-mock-interviews/) - As part of our careers programme, Year 10 pupils will be invited to take part in mock interviews with local employers. This is organised through our partnership with Carol Codner, our Careers and Enterprise Advisor. Activities such as these are great examples of how we support our pupils achieving Gatsby benchmark 5 which is about
- [Talent Competition 2025](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/talent/) - Do you have a special talent you wish to showcase at our next big live event? You will have the chance to perform on stage in front of a live audience in Birmingham in the state-of-the-art theatre at Millennium Point on Thursday 15th May 2025 at our annual pupil awards evening. Whether it be singing,
- [University of Birmingham - Christmas Lecture](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/university-of-birmingham-christmas-lecture/) - On the last week of Half term, our Year 7 pupils visited the University of Birmingham to take part in Christmas themed lecture. Our pupils were able to learn about a range of Christmas based topics including how Santa is able to use online data to track which presents to give to everyone at Christmas.
- [Christmas Assembly!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christmas-assembly/) - Well done to our Heads of House, Mr Sidhu and Mr Holmes for another fantastic end of term assembly! It was full of performances, competitions, awards and sing-a-longs! A big shout out goes to Mr Webb for his fantastic DJ skills for the event too. Well done to all pupils who were awarded spirit of their house
- [Decorate your Door!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/decorate-your-door/) - Staff and pupils have participated in the final house competition of the year today, decorating their doors ahead of the holidays! Well done to everybody for their efforts and for taking part! It was a very difficult decision for Mr Chamberlain and Mr Heywood who judged the competition - who would have been your winner?
- [Autumn Term Active Citizenship](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/autumn-term-active-citizenship/) - This term has seen our staff and pupils fully embrace our personal development programme, in particular our active citizenship programme. We aim to raise awareness of a variety of events taking place, not just at Smestow, but nationally and globally too. You will have seen from our posts over the last 4 months, the activities
- [Christmas Jumper Day and Mince Pies & Carols](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christmas-jumper-day-and-mince-pies-carols/) - Today marked Smestow Academy's Christmas Jumper Day, alongside our second Mince Pies & Carols Event. Staff and pupils were invited to wear their Christmas jumpers for a £1 donation to Save the Children. Key stage 3 parents and carers were invited to join us in school for a morning of festivities and refreshments, with performances
- [Bridge Design](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/bridge-design/) - On Tuesday pupils in 8X3, 8Y1 and 8Y2 took part in a stem day which involved pupils planning, designing and building prototypes of bridges and testing these to see whether they will withstand the weight. Pupils had team roles such as Project manager, finance manager, designer, structural engineer, community lead and marketing executive. Pupils demonstrated brilliant teamwork,
- [Careers at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/careers-at-smestow-academy/) - We are pleased to share that we will be hosting a Careers Fair in school on 6th March 2025 to coincide with Careers Week. This event will be open to all pupils and more details will follow in the Spring term. This half term, we have launched two careers events taking place for pupils. Our Year
- [One of the most improved secondary schools in the country!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/one-of-the-most-improved-secondary-schools-in-the-country/) - Smestow is officially one of the most improved secondary schools in the country! I am delighted that we can now officially celebrate our wonderful GCSE exam results from lastSummer as the performance tables have now been published by the Department for Education. Aswe thought, we are one of the most improved schools in the country
- [Staying Safe over the Festive Season](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/staying-safe-over-the-festive-season/) - As the holidays are nearly upon us, we wanted to share this #wakeupwednesday advice from The National College. We would ask that parents and carers take five minutes to read the information given in support of maintaining safety over the festive period - this includes road safety, travel plans, digital and considering stress and fatigue.
- [Christmas Jumper Day at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christmas-jumper-day-at-smestow-academy/) - Smestow Academy are celebrating Christmas Jumper Day on Wednesday 18th December 2024. Staff and pupils are invited to wear their Christmas jumper alongside their uniform for a £1 donation in support of Save the Children. Save the Children is a non-government organisation which was founded in the UK in 1919. Their goal is to improve the
- [Mince Pies & Carols at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mince-pies-carols-at-smestow-academy/) - Parents and Carers of pupils in years 7, 8 and 9 are invited to join us in school on Wednesday 18th December for a morning of refreshments and festivities. Our creative arts department have created some superb work to showcase and we will have a sing-a-long of some christmas favourites to celebrate the forthcoming holiday. There
- [Reflexions at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/reflexions-at-smestow-academy-2/) - Here at Smestow Academy, we are very fortunate to be supported by our local mental health support team, Reflexions. This can be through 1-to-1 sessions for individualised support, group sessions looking at exam stress management or parent support at progress evenings. Reflexions are holding an open discussion with the National Team whose role it is
- [Choices Magazine - December Edition](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/choices-magazine-december-edition/) - As part of our careers programme in school, we are keen to support parents, carers and pupils with the choices that they have with regards to their next steps. We have shared previously from Amazing Apprenticeships, but the December edition of the Choices magazine is now available, which showcases the celebrations that took place for
- [Linden Dance Community Project](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/linden-dance-community-project/) - Over the past five weeks, 15 of our exceptional pupils have had the opportunity to collaborate with a professional dance company Linden Dance. This project was community-driven aimed at addressing loneliness in Wolverhampton. Linden Dance approached Smestow Academy following a highly successful previous workshop, where they were impressed by the work ethic and dedication of
- [Year 11 BTEC Sport](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-11-btec-sport/) - Big shoutout to our YR11 BTEC Sport students this week who have been tirelessly over this half term to complete their final PSA assessment before the preparation for the exam starts. Students have had to complete three different parts of coursework for Component 2 along with being assessed on their practical ability of a sport of
- [Performing Arts Showcase](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/performing-arts-showcase/) - On Thursday 28th November all the schools from across Matrix Academy Trust came together to celebrate the Performing Arts. It was a spectacular display of talent, showcasing their skills in dance, drama, and music. This event was a celebration of creativity, hard work, and the vibrant spirit of pupils who have worked hard over the
- [STEM Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/stem-day-2/) - 60 year 8 pupils from 8X1 and 8X2 took part in a stem day hosted by small peice trust to encourage science, technology, engineering and maths. The day involved pupils planning, designing and building prototypes of bridges and testing these to see whether they will withstand the weight. Once trialled and tested the pupils then
- [Forensic Scientist Investigation](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/forensic-scientist-investigation/) - Three classes of year 5 pupils from Uplands Primary School have had the brilliant opportunity to come to Smestow academy to experience what it is like to be a forensic scientist investigating a crime that was committed. All pupils were well engaged and demonstrated excellent investigative skills to conclude who had done the crime. Mrs Neish
- [I Can Save a Life!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/i-can-save-a-life/) - Last week, Year 9 and 6th Form pupils undertook basic first aid training and defibrillator use with Wayne from "I can save a life!". Wayne showed pupils how to perform basic CPR and discussed what scenarios we might find ourselves in when we have to use this life skills. Our first aid training is a key
- [Sixth Form Open Evening 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sixth-form-open-evening-2024/) - Thursday 21st November 2024 - 4pm - 7pm
- [Stars in our Schools ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/stars-in-our-schools/) - Last Friday we celebrated "Stars in our Schools", a national initiative to celebrate all the amazing support staff that help schools to run smoothly. Here at Smestow, we are incredibly lucky to have an amazing support team who deserve to be celebrated today for all their hard work. Some of our support team are pupil
- [Culture Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/culture-day-2/) - Friday 29th November saw Smestow Academy celebrate our second Culture Day. Culture Day originally came from a suggestion from our School Council and we are proud to celebrate our diversity in our school. Over 130 pupils took part in Culture Day, which included musical and dance performances at lunchtime alongside a themed menu from our catering
- [Dodgeball](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dodgeball/) - Our Year 7 and 8 Girls attended a dodgeball tournament with other schools in the city this week. They showed great determination to win 2 games and draw against some tough opposition after a couple of early losses. Our pupils showed great integrity and honesty by playing to the rules and being respectful to other
- [Advent Calendar of Kindness](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/advent-calendar-of-kindness/) - Smestow Academy's advent calendar of kindness is back for 2024! As part of our demonstration of active citizenship in school, we have an advent calendar of kindness to promote our welcoming and caring environment. Pupils are able to access the calendar on our TV screens and on posters around our school building. It also gives
- [Trauma Awareness CPD at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/trauma-awareness-cpd-at-smestow-academy/) - Staff at Smestow Academy have had the first of two CPD sessions this evening in support of our pursuit of the "Attachment Aware & Trauma Informed Schools Award" led by Dr Laura Kirven. Our session this evening has looked at brain development, case studies of young people who have suffered significant trauma, triggers and two models -
- [Sixth Form Open Evening](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sixth-form-open-evening/) - Last night, we held our sixth form open evening in our newly refurbished sixth form area. There was a lovely buzz about the event, with pupils from Smestow Academy and beyond in attendance. Prospective students heard a talk from Mr Chamberlain (Headteacher) and Mrs Bryant (Assistant Headteacher & Head of 6th Form) and also had
- [Tag Rugby](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/tag-rugby/) - 8X2 have started the half term in an impressive manner in both Tag Rugy and their Team Building lessons. Pupils have developed excellent tactical awareness and incorporated the team work skills developed through their Team Building lessons into their Tag Rugby work. Today, pupils have been challenged to showcase their leadership skills of creativity, planning, and
- [Forensic Science Workshop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/forensic-science-workshop/) - A class of year 5 pupils from Uplands Primary School had the brilliant opportunity to come to Smestow academy to experience what it is like to be a forensic scientist investigating a crime that was committed. All pupils were well engaged and demonstrated excellent investigative skills to conclude who had done the crime. Mrs Neish
- [Careers Event at Newhampton Arts Centre](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/careers-event-at-newhampton-arts-centre/) - Last week, a group of Year 11 pupils went to Newhampton Arts Centre to visit a Careers Pop-Up Event ran by the WMVRP and Changemakers group at Wolverhampton City Council. Pupils got to meet staff from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Fire Service, as well as representatives from The Army, Wolverhampton
- [International Men's Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/international-mens-day/) - International Men's Day is celebrated each year to recognise men and boys in our community in all their diversity. Here at Smestow Academy, we are commemorating this day by celebrating male role models within the Literacy world throughout the week. Mrs Birtwhistle, our Librarian has a fantastic display of books in our Library and pupils
- [Children in Need at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/children-in-need-at-smestow-academy/) - Staff and pupils have taken part in a variety of fundraising activities today all to raise money for BBC Children in Need. Children in Need supports young people and their families across the UK who aren't as fortunate as ourselves. We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our pupils and their fundraising today. They
- [Smestow Teaching Principle 5: Practice ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-teaching-principle-5-practice/) - As part of our commitment to high quality teaching at Smestow Academy, and our recent launch to our school community of our 5 Teaching Principles on the school website, we are excited to share with you weekly updates of the wonderful work our pupils are doing. In Maths 9y2 were learning to construct a perpendicular bisector
- [Just Like Us - Anti-Bullying Assembly at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/just-like-us-anti-bullying-assembly-at-smestow-academy/) - Today, pupils in all year groups have been part of LGBTQ+ assemblies delivered by the charity "Just Like Us". The assemblies were led by members of the charity who are also part of the LGBTQ+ community. They shared their lived experiences and signposted pupils where to get support. Our pupils behaved superbly well, especially given
- [YR 7 & 8 Girls football](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/yr-7-8-girls-football/) - On Wednesday, our YR 7 & 8 Girls football team travelled across to St Peters to take part in a football fixture and their first of the year. Some of the girls were really keen for a fixture after attending Girls Football Club before half term and had really progressed with their skills, and then
- [Religious Studies Trip](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/religious-studies-trip/) - On Thursday 7th November, Smestow Academy took Year 7 on a Religious Studies trip to experience places of worship in Smethwick. We were warmly welcomed at Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Holy Trinity Church and Oldbury Jamia Mosque. In each place of worship were given a tour and a talk about each faith and their place of worship.
- [Reflexions at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/reflexions-at-smestow-academy/) - Here at Smestow Academy, we are very fortunate to have the support of "Reflexions" who are part of The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust. Reflexions offer mental health education practitioners, who come into school and support our young people who may be struggling with their mental health. Please complete the survey by using the QR
- [Smestow Football Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-football-academy/) - We are delighted to inform you of the new Smestow Football Academy that is launching for 2025-2026 Academic Year. Experience what it is like to be a professional footballer, training throughout the week and playing games in a nationally recognised colleges league. You will be coached by a semi professional footballer who has fantastic experience
- [Poppy Appeal](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/poppy-appeal/) - M McNicholas (Head Student) and S Phelps (Mental Health Ambassador) from our Smestow Senior Six Leadership team have been selling poppies and wristbands at lunchtime this week to raise monies for the Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Sunday this weekend. We will also be hosting a two-minute silence in school on Monday 11th November
- [Remembrance Service](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/remembrance-service/) - Our pupils and staff have been considering remembrance. Each year, as a country, we join to consider the sacrifices and efforts made to protect our British values. Throughout conflicts over the years, the men and women who have given their all to ensure our individual liberty and freedom of speech remain intact. On Friday 8th
- [DORCAS at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dorcas-at-smestow-academy/) - Today, pupils in Years 7, 9 and 10 have received a talk from Carmen at DORCAS regarding female genital mutilation (FGM). As part of our personal development programme, pupils are made aware of safeguarding themselves and each other regarding FGM, what FGM is and what the laws are regarding this in the UK. Pupils were
- [School Health Nurses](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/school-health-nurses/) - Today, our School Health Nurses Barbara and Tina have been in school promoting their drop-in service. Over lunchtime, pupils had the opportunity to meet the Nurses and ask any questions about the service they offer. Pupils have been able to take away cards with the number of the "Chat Health" line too, which is a
- [Porto Football Trip](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/porto-football-trip/) - Day 1 – Thursday On Thursday 24th October, 24 YR9&10 students embarked on the 2024 Football Tour. Porto was the destination this year, the trip started with a very early morning for a coach journey down to London Gatwick where we would catch an early morning flight to allow us the whole day in Portugal to begin
- [Accelerated Reader!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/accelerated-reader/) - We Did It! Our amazing pupils in Years 7 and 8 and 9Y2 have smashed the 2 million words target. Our total now stands at 2,334,739 words - what an amazing effort by everyone. Pupils who really achieved fantastic reading scores were L. Morton in Year 7, also our top quizzer! And a shout out
- [Smestow Teaching Principles](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-teaching-principles/) - We are really excited to launch to parents and families our 5 Smestow Teaching Principles. We will share regular updates with you. At Smestow academy, Quality of Education is at the heart of what we do, and echo’s the vision of Matrix Academy Trust “Education without Exception” We have created an entirely new curriculum since
- [Careers at Smestow](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/careers-at-smestow/) - Careers information and guidance is an important aspect of our personal development programme here at Smestow Academy. Not only do pupils complete careers lessons as part of the form time programme but subject content is also linked to careers and aspirations as part of our curriculum offer. We are very lucky to have an independent
- [Who's to blame?](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/whos-to-blame/) - During Open Evening, enthusiastic Year 6 pupils entered a 'Who's to Blame' competition introduced by the English department. Four lucky pupils from different primary schools across Wolverhampton will be receiving a selection of books, a certificate and some Smestow stationary as their prize. The responses to this competition were fantastic and are certainly in keeping
- [KayScientist of the Month](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/kayscientist-of-the-month/) - Congratulations to A Samuels ( 7G1), P Singh (8H1), R Kaur (9H1), F Imamudeen (10H1) and K Agyei-Darko ( 11E1) for being kayscientists of the month. Keep up the brilliant work and continue to strive to improve and be your best. Who will be the kayscientist next month?
- [School Executive Council Committee](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/school-executive-council-committee/) - This morning, our school council reps had the opportunity to deliver a speech to each other, and Mr Patel, with the hope of being voted on to the School Executive Council Committee. There were 11 pupils who showed great courage and confidence to stand in front of their peers and share why they would be suitable
- [October 2024 - Choices Magazine](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/october-2024-choices-magazine/) - October Edition: HERE
- [PE Update](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/pe-update/) - Smestow Academy are delighted that Castlecroft Primary School, our neighbours, are now utilising access to our state of the art swimming pool. The Year 6 class come down every Tuesday afternoon to take part in their PE lesson at Smestow in the pool. Both Mr Webb and Miss Perfit who have been involved in these sessions
- [Dance - Year 8](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dance-year-8/) - This week our year 8 pupils have been working hard finalising their choreography ready for assessments to beign. During this project they have learnt how to respond to a stimulus and the choreographic process that follows. All pupils have been working extremely hard portraying our Smestow Value 'Success achieved Together' to create interesting unique dances.
- [World Mental Health Day at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-mental-health-day-at-smestow-academy/) - As part of our celebrations of world mental health day in school, our Year 7 pupils have been completing mindful colouring at lunchtime, highlighting our key top tips for positive mental health. They are: Be active Connect Give Keep learning Take notice Our staff have also participated in wellbeing week, with a variety of activities
- [🎶 Student Spotlight: Music Lessons That Inspire! 🎶](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/🎶-student-spotlight-music-lessons-that-inspire-🎶/) - In this edition of our music newsletter, we celebrate the incredible journeys of our students as they dive into the world of music! From mastering the piano to strumming their first chords on the guitar, each lesson is a stepping stone toward their musical dreams. Join us as we highlight student achievements, share inspiring stories,
- [Wellbeing Ambassador Training at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/wellbeing-ambassador-training-at-smestow-academy/) - This morning, our newly appointed wellbeing ambassadors attended their first training session with Mrs Oshodi. The group discussed what mental health is, identified some statistics regarding mental health in secondary age pupils and developed techniques to support pupils in our school. This training is also part of the many activities taking place this week as
- [Cushion Covers](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/cushion-covers/) - Our talented Key Stage 3 students have been hard at work designing and making their very own cushion covers! From selecting fabrics to mastering stitching techniques, they've shown amazing creativity and craftsmanship. Their unique designs reflect their personality and style, and we couldn't be more proud of their hard work! Stay tuned for more updates
- [PE Catchup](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/pe-catchup/) - We have reached over 200 different students attending extra-curricular clubs which is a fantastic effort and is great to see so many different students attending the offer of clubs we have on as a department. Our main focus in lessons this week has been working together as a team and solving problems especially in Key
- [Extra Curricular](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/extra-curricular-wellbeing/) - Next week at Smestow Academy we are promoting wellbeing, and in order to allow our pupils and staff to take part in a range of new activities to promote good mental health there will be no study seminars taking place after school for year 11. Study seminars will continue as normal, beginning with the options
- [Open Events 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/open-events-2024/) - 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 it means to be a pupil at Smestow Academy and give you the chance to ask any questions you
- [Forensic Science Workshops with Primary Schools](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/forensic-science-workshops-with-primary-schools/) - Science hosted a forensic science workshop for year 5 pupils from Castlecroft Primary. The workshop involved pupils becoming forensic scientists for the day to investigate a crime that was committed. Pupils conducted different practical activities like chromatography to investigate the colours in ink, they looked at different clothing fibres using magnifying glasses, they matched fingerprints
- [Autin Dance Trip](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/autin-dance-trip/) - On Friday 27th September, 24 of our pupils had the amazing opportunity to be part of the community cast for the Autin Dance Theatre's professional piece 'Parade'. The pupils have been working hard preparing for this performance, they attended a full day intensive workshop with the professional dancers from Autin Dance Theatre and then attended break
- [Rewards Assembly](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/rewards-assembly/) - At the start of each term as a school, we look back and celebrate all of the effort, hard-work and achievements our wonderful pupils are making in their studies. Our rewards assemblies are a key part of our rewards programme and annual calendar, having three opportunities each year to celebrate together. These assemblies are a
- [Widening Participation Programmes](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/widening-participation-programmes/) - Attention all Year 12 students! Widening Participation Programmes help students from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress onto University and Apprenticeships after Sixth Form. All the programmes listed below are FREE. There are sometimes small costs for travel but in most cases, all expenses are covered. Should any funding issues arise, please speak to the Sixth Form team.
- [Year 9/10 Geography](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-9-10-geography/) - In Geography, our Year 10 GSCE pupils have been completing 2D models of the Global Atmospheric Circulation. This enables them to see how air circulates around the Earth and why we have differences in climate. Our Year 9 pupils recently played the Indian Game of Life where they were able to understand the life of
- [Open Evening 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/open-evening-2024/) - Last night we hosted our Open Evening and welcomed prospective Year 7 pupils and their families to view our school, and take part in a range of activities. Each of our departments were proud to showcase the best Smestow has to offer, including an evening murder mystery in English, flames, trolls and potions in Science,
- [Whats on this term?](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/whats-on-this-term/) - Check out our board in the dining hall to say what active citizenship opportunities we have coming up this term!
- [Science Club](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/science-club/) - In science club at Smestow, pupils will have the opportunities to take part in fun practicals and various other scientific activities. Here are some of the upcoming activities : A hygiene and bacterial growth investigation; A STEM investigation to design and build a parachute which will safely deliver an egg; An investigation to determine which type
- [Sparx pupils of the week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sparx-pupils-of-the-week/) - This week pupils at Smestow Academy continued with a high success rate on Sparx maths. 7G2 were our form of the week with 94% of students completing their homework to 100%. A. Iordache and M. Yasir were chosen by Ms Collett to represent their form. 7Y2 were our maths class of the week because they
- [Choices Magazine](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/choices-magazine/) - Are you a parent or carer that isn't sure about your child's next steps? Want to find out about apprenticeships or T-Levels? The "Choices Magazine" provides parents and carers with information about both apprenticeships and technical education and you can find the September edition here! #SmestowAcademy #SuccessAchievedTogether #Careers #NextSteps
- [Study Seminars](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/study-seminars/) - Our Year 11's have begun their final year at Smestow with a really positive mindset and their attendance to the study seminars has been incredible. Keep working hard Year 11 and striving to be your best!
- [Creative Arts Talent](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/creative-arts-talent/) - Extraordinary work by our pupils in Smestow Academy's art department. We're currently creating nature inspired pieces influenced by the portrait works of Marco Mazzoni and the animal floral hybrids of Veronica Steiner. Whether it's working in graphite and colouring pencil, pen or watercolour, our students our exceptionally talented!
- [Smestow PE Update](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-pe-update/) - A fantastic start to PE here at Smestow Academy with some excellent resilience, perseverance and teamwork shown in all lessons. These 3 values and skills are the focus of our lessons at the start of the academic year with all students having to show these at some stage in their lessons, whether it be working
- [Autin Dance Theatre](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/autin-dance-theatre/) - On Monday 16th September we had the fantastic Autin Dance Theatre in leading a full day professional dance workshop. 24 pupils of our pupils participated, and they all worked extremely hard throughout the day consistently demonstrating our Smestow values. The workshop day was intense, yet all pupils persevered and continued to demonstrate their amazing talent. The choreography
- [International Day of Peace](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/international-day-of-peace/) - Our assemblies this week have acknowledged the International Day of Peace which takes place annually on 21st September and started in 1981. This year is especially poignant as it marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly having adopted the declaration and programme of action on a culture of peace. The values, as laid out
- [International Day of Democracy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/international-day-of-democracy/) - Schools across Matrix Academy Trust have been recognising the International Day of Democracy (15th September).​ International Day of Democracy began in 1997 and it is based on the principles of equality, liberty, and justice. Democracy is essential for human rights and development.​ Schools will be considering the meaning behind the international day, but also our modern
- [Sixth Form](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sixth-form-september/) - Our amazing sixth form students have settled into the new term well and are already underway learning new and exciting things. They've made the new sixth form area their home, adopted a plant, started a special enrichment programme involving diamond painting and practising mindfulness techniques and have experimented with mealworms in Biology. We are proud
- [Sixth Form Area](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sixth-form-area/) - Over the Summer holiday we have been busy redecorating our Sixth form area to make it a vibrant and inspiring space for our Year 12 and 13 students. Our Sixth form students now have a cosy common room, and a separate studious work space to use during their independent study sessions to help them excel
- [Significantly improved GCSEs](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/gcse-results-day-2024/) - 2024 GCSE exam results rapid improvements and unlocked potential at Smestow Academy. Smestow academy are delighted with some outstanding GCSE results for Summer 2024 as pass rates for pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in English and Maths rose 6% from 34% (Summer 2023) to 40% following the school’s first full year of being
- [A Level Results Day 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/a-level-results-day-2024/) - We are all extremely proud of our Year 13 students as their hard work has paid off achieving some wonderful results. The school was filled with lots of smiles as celebtration as 93% of them off to university and 100% with positive destinations on apprenticeships or alternative courses. Some of our many successes include: M
- [Discovery Days](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/discovery-days/) - Smestow Academy hosted three fantastic discovery days which involved pupils having the opportunity to participate in different activities and events in and out of school. This was the first time that we hosted discovery days and what a brilliant experience it was. Pupils showed what adrenaline junkie’s they are when they went on trips to
- [Year 11 Prom 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-11-prom-2024/) - On Thursday 27th June, the staff at Smestow Academy had the privilege of saying goodbye to an absolutely incredible year group. Our 2024 Y11 Prom was held at the Mount Hotel, in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, and was a venue befitting of the occasion. We were in the Grand Hall, and the venue certainly did not disappoint. In
- [Be A Baller Discovery Days.](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/be-a-baller-discovery-days/) - 3 Days, 34 students, 3 teachers. What a fantastic time was had by all. The Be A Baller discovery days started at Smestow on the Tuesday where Mr Webb had put on a range of different matches and activities into a Euros like tournament style, looking for teams to come out on top. We had
- [Smestow Academy Spectacular 60th Anniversary Celebration   ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-academy-spectacular-60th-anniversary-celebration/) - On Saturday 13th July, Smestow Academy celebrated 60 years with a spectacular celebration event, bringing together former and current pupils, colleagues and members of the community. Founded in 1964, Smestow Academy has been serving children and families in the Castlecroft area of Wolverhampton for six remarkable decades. The school is now making excellent progress to
- [Results Day Information 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/results-day-information-2024/) - A level Results Day – Thursday 15th August 2024 Results will be available from 8am till 11am in Dining Hall GCSE Results Day – Thursday 22nd August 2024 Results will be available from 9am till 11am in Dining Hall
- [Sports Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sports-day-2/) - On Wednesday, Smestow annual Sportsday took place and what an event it was. An amazing spectacle for the school lead by the PE department where mass participation was the aim and this is what we got with lots of students from all year groups across all the houses competed in a series of track and
- [Christchurch Sports Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christchurch-sports-day/) - On Monday, 14 YR9 students travelled to Christchurch primary school to lead on their annual sportsday. This is an event where we as an academy have been asked to lead on for the last 5 years due to our excellent leaders. The day started with a carousel of activities for the infants where they took
- ["YO! Active"](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/yo-active/) - Do you enjoy taking part in physical activity? Do you like swimming, the gym, badminton on table tennis? Are you the next Andy Murray or Emma Radacanu??? The City of Wolverhampton is offering eligible children and young people free physical activities all year round. In partnership with Wolves Foundation, their aim is to encourage healthier
- [Alcohol Awareness Week (1st - 7th July)](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/alcohol-awareness-week-1st-7th-july/) - Did you know that in 2020, Wolverhampton had the worst rate of alcohol related deaths in the UK? As part of our personal development programme, it is important that we educate our pupils on the risks associated with consuming alcohol as part of their health education. In providing the local context, we can also raise
- [Mock General Election](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mock-general-election/) - Our students are taking democracy into their own hands today with our exciting mock general election! Over the past few weeks in Personal Development, they've dived into pupil-friendly versions of each political party's manifesto, engaged in spirited discussions, and watched a special assembly featuring political party broadcasts delivered by our amazing staff. Today, students are
- [Maths Picnic](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/maths-picnic/) - Two groups of Y9 pupils took part in the Maths Picnic at Highfields School. The event was organised by the AMSP and there were seven schools competing altogether. Each group had to complete four different maths challenges within a given time and points were awarded. The challenges were problems requiring knowledge pupils have learned at
- [Fundamental British Values](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/fundamental-british-values/) - This half term, we are celebrating the fundamental British values at Smestow Academy. Yesterday, we delved deeper into topics relating to our rights and responsibilities of living in modern Britain such as politics and parliament, law, crime and society, and the prevent agenda. Form groups took part in a party political broadcast too, with the manifestos
- [Junior Kangaroo](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/junior-kangaroo/) - On Tuesday 11th June L Spruce in Year 8 sat the UK Maths Trust Junior Kangaroo. He qualified for this event by scoring 102 in the UK Junior Maths challenge in April. In the junior Kangaroo he had 60 minutes to answer another 25 challenging questions and this time he was provided with a diagram
- [DofE](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dofe/) - On Friday 21st June, Smestow Academy embarked on their first Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition as a Matrix Academy School. 27 Year 10 & Year 11 students left school at 10 o clock to travel to Cannock Chase where they were to be pushed out of their comfort zone and achieve something outstanding. The weather did
- [Smestow's Got Talent Auditions](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestows-got-talent-auditions/) - On Thursday 13th and Friday 14th June pupils had the opportunity to audition their best talents for our upcoming talent show on Saturday 13th July which will be part of the 60th Celebrations summer festival. All pupils who auditioned were fantastic, Miss Field and Miss Harvey were so proud of the 'welcoming and caring environment' that all pupils contributed towards
- [Kidical Mass Wolverhampton](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/kidical-mass-wolverhampton/) - On Saturday 15th June selected pupils who regularly attend Dance or Musical Theatre Club were given the opportunity to perform at Kidical Mass Wolverhampton, which took place at East Park, representing schools from the City at the event which campaigns for safer streets to cycle on aligning with our Smestow Value of 'Equality and Respect for All.'
- [National Archives - D Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/national-archives-d-day/) - In preparation for the 80th anniversary of D Day on Thursday 6th June, year 9 have taken part in a live interactive session from the National Archives and hosted by historian Dan Snow. During this session, students were lead through some activities by Mrs Pinches to help them recall previously taught knowledge from their Second World War
- [Rounders](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/rounders/) - On 21st May, Year 8 & 9 girls took part in their first rounders fixture at home against Wednesfield Academy Year 9 students. The game was made up of two, ten minute innings. Smestow won the toss and chose to field first. The team quickly adapted to new fielding formations having not played together before. The
- [Mental Health Awareness Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mental-health-awareness-week/) - This week at Smestow we have been celebrating ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’. Ensuring our pupils are aware of how to look after their mental health and wellbeing is one of our key priorities here at school! As one of our Mental Health top tips is to ‘Be Active’ down in the performing arts department we
- [Personal Development Ambassadors](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/personal-development-ambassadors/) - We are excited to launch a new pupil leadership opportunity in school! Our PD Ambassadors will champion all of the exciting events that are taking place in our school to help us develop into young people who make outstanding contributions to modern British society. If you are interested, make sure to let your Form Tutor
- [Scholastic Book Fair](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/scholastic-book-fair/) - The week after half term brings the Scholastic Book Fair to school. The Library will be open to all pupils to visit the book fair from Tuesday 4th June until Friday 7th June, before school, break time and after school. Scholastic will be providing a fantastic selection of classic and newly released books at discounted prices
- [Pi Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/pi-day-2/) - We are very proud of M Harris Year 7 who won the trust wide Pi Day competition. Pi day is the 14th March (3.14) and is celebrated worldwide to make maths more fun and relatable. This year Matrix Academy Trust asked it’s pupils to “bring pi to life”. M Harris created a beautiful poster based
- [UK Junior Maths Challenge](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/uk-junior-maths-challenge/) - On Thursday 25th April pupils in 7X1, 8X1 and 8X2 took part in the UK Junior Maths Challenge. Pupils were presented with 25 challenging mathematical problems to encourage problem solving and reasoning skills. Pupils only had 60 minutes to complete the task and they needed to apply their knowledge of the maths curriculum to interesting
- [DofE prep has started!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/dofe-prep-has-started/) - Our year 10 and 11 Duke of Edinburgh students have began their preparation for the expedition coming up in June, working towards their bronze award. We will be venturing into the wilds of Cannock Chase for a walking and camping expedition, and have been working on map skills, cooking and putting up tents in preparation.
- [Exam Season](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/exam-season/) - The exam season has begun and all pupils have been given a copy of the Year 11 collapsed timetable showing the exams and exam preparation sessions. All pupils should use the following exam tips to help them prepare for their exams: Pupils need to be in school at 8.30am at the latest, the canteen is open from
- [Turing Stockholm, Sweden ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/turing-stockholm-sweden/) - Embarking on a journey beyond borders can be a transformative experience for students, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures, languages, and traditions. Recently, a group of 35 adventurous pupils from across Matrix Academy Trust had the incredible opportunity to explore the city of Stockholm, Sweden through the Turing Scheme. This
- [Smestow Community Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-community-week/) - This week we have been raising money for our house and 6th form charities. Not only did we have a football tournament earlier in the week, but today we have had a samosa sale and the chance to "soak a teacher!" at breaktime.Our Heads of Houses are the best and have put themselves in the
- [Sparx Maths Badges](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sparx-maths-badges/) - This week, during progress assemblies, pupils in year 7 to 10 were awarded Sparx maths badges. A Sparx maths badge is awarded to a pupil who achieves at least 2 levels within 1 school term. This means that they have gained over 20,000 XP on Sparx maths. Pupils who achieve this have shown a huge
- [Pi Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/pi-day/) - In March, pupils across Matrix were invited to enter a Maths competition to celebrate Pi Day. Pupils were asked to use their imagination to bring Pi to life and to illustrate a real life example of Pi. We received entries from Smestow Academy, Etone College and Turves Green Boys School. M Harris from Smestow was our
- [STEM Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/stem-day/) - Year 9 had another opportunity to take part in a STEM Day project, pupils showed fantastic team skills by planning and designing a HS2 tunnel bridge. It was a great day where pupils had the opportunity to show their creativity and leadership skills. Well done to all pupils who got involved and a big congratulations to
- [Uniform Swap Shop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/uniform-swap-shop/) - The cost of school uniform can be daunting and is yet another financial pressure on many parents. The Uniform Swap Shop is open to everyone and there’s a great range of uniforms available. While it is great if parents can bring some uniform to donate themselves, they really don’t have to bring anything at all. Drop into St Columba’s in Castlecroft Road in Finchfield (WV3 8BZ)
- [Graiseley House Assembly - Star Performers](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/graiseley-house-assembly-star-performers/) - J Flora (7G1) and D Rana (9G1) welcomed Graiseley students to their house assembly in style this week! The two boys showcased their talents with an energising and cultural performance that they performed at the Matrix Pupil Awards Ceremony last week. This showcased the rich diversity and talent we have here at Smestow Academy.
- [Smestow Prefect Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-prefect-day/) - This week our newly appointed Prefects took part in their two-day training programme. Day one consisted of visiting Challenge Academy and Baggeridge County Park where Prefects spent the day on a variety of team building activities. The afternoon saw Prefects, Miss Davey, Mr Craig and Mr Patel take on the high ropes and the ‘plunge’
- [Revise and Reflect at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/revise-and-reflect-at-smestow-academy/) - Last week, pupils in years 11-13 had an assembly which focused on positive mental health during the exam season. We talked about the importance of revision but how it is as equally important to reflect on whether or not we are practicing self-care at what can be a stressful time. At Smestow Academy we are
- [St George's Day Menu at Smestow Academy - 23rd April](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/st-georges-day-menu-at-smestow-academy-23rd-april/) - Today we have celebrated St George's day with a themed menu in our cafe. Pupils and Staff have been able to choose from a specially curated menu by Mrs Lampitt and the catering team including Yorkshire pudding wraps and Eton mess! Did you know that England isn't the only country to celebrate St George? He
- [Year 10 Football](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/2397-2/) - On Wednesday 17th April, the Year 10 football team travelled to Wednesfield Academy for their first football fixture of the year. On an evening that was plagued by strong winds, the lads did extremely well to manage the conditions and come away with a 2-2 draw. It was always going to be a game of who
- [Careers Guidance Pupil Website](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/careers-guidance-pupil-website/) - We are excited to launch our brand-new Careers Guidance Pupil Website. Pupils need to be prepared for the evolving working world and so, at the heart of our Careers Programme, is a focus on building up essential lifelong employability skills. Visit our new website to access a wealth of careers guidance, designed to support both pupils
- [Linden Dance](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/linden-dance/) - On Wednesday 10th April, 21 selected pupils from year 7-10 participated in a series of professional workshops followed by a live performance of 'Unboxed' by the amazing Linden Dance Company. Throughout the day the pupils were able to build knowledge of contemporary and afro-fusion technique and participate in creative tasks looking at themes from the piece
- [Published poets at Smestow!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/published-poets-at-smestow/) - Seventeen budding young poets from Smestow Academy have been published in an anthology of poetry titled Lest We Forget. The published collection of poems, which are based on the theme of war and peace, came as a result of a competition for students aged 11 and above. Launched in November 2023, the competition was ran
- [Nationwide Finance Workshops](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/nationwide-finance-workshops/) - As part of our personal development curriculum, it is important that we provide opportunities for our young people to access economic literacy. Research shows that delivery of financial education means that children and young people are more likely to save money, have a bank account and be confident about money management. Financial education enhances financial
- [Neurodiversity Celebration Week - 18th-24th March 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/neurodiversity-celebration-week-18th-24th-march-2024/) - Did you know - approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference? Depending on how our brains work, we think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. Many people in our community use neurodiversity as an umbrella term to describe alternative thinking styles such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Autism and ADHD. Most importantly, neurodiversity
- [Red Nose Day - 15th March 2024](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/red-nose-day-15th-march-2024/) - Red Nose Day is a fundraising day in support of Comic Relief, which was set up in 1985 in response to the famine in Ethiopia. It is a major UK charity with a vision of a just world, free from poverty. Over the last few years, monies raised have helped to support over 3 million
- [Biggest Ever Football Session](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/biggest-ever-football-session/) - On Friday 8th March, eight year 7 girls participated in the 'Biggest Ever Football Session' in Wolverhampton. As part of the Let Girls Play campaign, the FA and Barclays' invited Smestow Academy to be a part of 5000 schools that competed all on the same day across England. Significantly, sharing the day with International Womens Day,
- [Year 7&8 Handball](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-78-handball/) - On Monday evening the YR8 Boys took part in the city handball competition at our Lady and St Chads. In tough conditions the lads did really well and showed excellent teamwork, work rate and resilience throughout their 4 games of the tournament. Considering they have never played in a handball competition before, the skill and
- [Internation Women's Day and British Science Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/internation-womens-day-and-british-science-week/) - To celebrate British science week and international women’s day on Friday 8th March 60 year 9 pupils had a fantastic opportunity to take part in a STEM day which was delivered by small piece trust Students worked brilliantly as a team and planned, designed and constructed an aircraft It was an amazing day where students
- [Wellbeing Conference](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/wellbeing-conference/) - Today we welcomed Dr Eve Griffiths and Antonia Thomas from Outreach, who delivered training to Matrix staff on understanding the effects ACES and trauma can have on our pupils' mental health, behaviour and understanding, as well as how we can facilitate restorative conversations in school. We learnt innovative new ways to support our pupils in
- [Long Service](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/long-service/) - A huge congratulations our staff who attended the annual Matrix Academy Trust long service celebration meal last Friday. They joined colleagues from across the trust at the wonderful BANK. Racking up over 700 years’ service collectively across the trust. Another huge thank you to you all for your continued dedication to our community.
- [Lessons from Auschwitz project](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/2147-2/) - On 27th February, Mrs Fellows along with three sixth form students had the opportunity to take part in the Lessons from Auschwitz project which included a one-day visit to Auschwitz One and Auschwitz Birkenau. On the day we took part in a guided tour of both camps and had a brief visit to Oświęcim to visit
- [World Book Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-book-day/) - World Book Day 2024 is on Thursday 7th MarchTo celebrate World Book Day and our love of reading we have some fantastic activities throughout the week.We have craft activities in the library and not one but 2 competitions running in school all week.Classroom Cluedo and Staff Favourite BookAnswer sheets can be collected from the library from Monday
- [National Offer Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/national-offer-day/) - Admissions 2024 It is National Offer Day. If you have been successful in your application for Admission into Year 7 2024, we will write to you shortly with a welcome letter and information about forthcoming key dates. If you have changed address since you applied, please contact us via email so that we can ensure we
- [Much-loved pool secured for future generations](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/much-loved-pool-secured-for-future-generations/) - Following a £160,000 revamp funded by its new multi-academy trust, Smestow Academy’s much-loved swimming pool has had its grand reopening. When Matrix Academy Trust took on Smestow Academy in January 2023, they found the swimming pool to be unusable. A year on, the facilities have been completely overhauled. Smestow Academy Headteacher Mr Chamberlain said, "For
- [Handball Competition](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/handball-competition/) - On Monday evening our YR9 & 10 Boys embarked on their first ever competitive handball competition which was held at our Lady St Chads. The tournament was a fantastic opportunity for the lads to showcase what they have learnt in PE lessons and compete against the top schools in the city. It was very competitive
- [Loudmouth](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/loudmouth/) - Today students in years 9 and 10 watched a performance from Loudmouth which focussed on real life stories of both child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation including county lines. The students were fully engaged in watching the performances and afterwards were given the chance to ask some insightful questions to the characters. Students displayed
- [Are you Smestow Academy Alumni?](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/are-you-smestow-academy-alumni/) - CALLING ALL SMESTOW ACADEMY ALUMNI If you’re a former student of Smestow Academy, we want to hear from you! Your experiences since leaving could help to motivate and inspire our current students to feel more confident in making decisions about their future. We’d love you to join our Alumni Network and stay connected with the
- [Matrix ‘Far From Home’ - Turing 2023-24](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/turing2024/) - Sweden, Italy, Peru We are delighted to announce that, for the third year running, Matrix Academy Trust has had another successful Turing bid. The Turing Scheme is the UK government’s programme to provide funding for international opportunities in education and training across the world. It supports Global Britain by providing an opportunity for UK organisations from the higher education,
- [Geography Fieldwork](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/geography-fieldwork/) - Recently, Year 11 undertook Geographical investigations as part of their Paper 3 Geography examination at Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire. Pupils were investigating river characteristics and how they changed as we moved downstream. It was a wonderful day had by all, despite the rain and pupils really loved exploring the valley!
- [Turing Trip - Italy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/turing-trip-italy/) - On Tuesday 23rd of January, 50 pupils from the Matrix Academy Trust travelled from Gatwick Airport for a trip to Rome with the Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme is a government initiative that fully funds a range of international opportunities for young people to go abroad and experience different cultures around the globe. Pupils who
- [Turing Trip - Italy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/turing-trip-italy-2/) - On Tuesday 23rd of January, 50 pupils from the Matrix Academy Trust travelled from Gatwick Airport for a trip to Rome with the Turing Scheme. The Turing Scheme is a government initiative that fully funds a range of international opportunities for young people to go abroad and experience different cultures around the globe. Pupils who participate
- [Children's Mental Health Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/childrens-mental-health-week/) - To celebrate children's mental health week this week, we are promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across the school. All pupils are invited to take part in our mindfulness challenges in return for prestigious silver commendations and they will also take part in a themed lesson, delivered by their form tutors as part of our
- [Daniel Caines Visit](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/daniel-caines-visit/) - Former Olympic athlete, World Champion (400m) and European Champion (4x400m relay) Daniel Caines visited Smestow Academy today to deliver a series of inspirational assemblies to pupils in Years 7-11. Daniel shared his stories of growing up in the world of sport, the setbacks he encountered and the achievements he has accomplished. His key messages are
- [‘Help your Child Revise’ Morning](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/help-your-child-revise-morning/) - With the second round of Year 11 mock exams just round the corner, we understand that you may want further information and guidance on how best to support your child at such a crucial time in their studies. With this in mind, we would like to invite all parents/carers of Year 11 pupils to our
- [Matrix Academy Trust Talent Competition](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matrix-academy-trust-talent-competition-2/) - Do you have a special talent you wish to showcase at our next big live event. You will have the chance to perform on stage Infront of a live audience in Birmingham in a state-of-the-art theatre Millennium Point on Thursday 18th April 2024. Whether it be singing, juggling, stand-up comedy or anything in between, we want to see all your
- [Are you a budding photographer?](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/are-you-a-budding-photographer/) - Our chair of trustees Sir Mark Aspinall has been invited to have his photograph taken to be placed in the Victoria Law court in Birmingham. Sir Mark has over 20 years’ experience in Law across banking, financial, media, NHS, Government and FTSE corporate sector and is currently a Judge and a Governor of a local
- [Christmas Jumper Day ](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christmas-jumper-day/) - On 20th December, staff and pupils at Smestow Academy were invited to wear their Christmas jumpers alongside their uniform to raise money for Save the Children. The Save the Children charity works tirelessly to support education facilities, and mental health support and safe spaces for young people. They work towards a world where every child has
- [House Form Awards](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/house-form-awards/) - Christmas Assembly - 21st December 2023 Staff and pupils were invited to a whole school assembly today, spreading festive cheer and celebrating a successful term. Special guests included Father Christmas and Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, a Christmas Elf, presents and crackers. We all took part in Christmas games and performances, sing a longs and rewards
- [Mince Pies & Carols - 20th December](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/mince-pies-carols-20th-december/) - Parents and Carers of Key Stage 3 pupils were invited into school this morning to share some festive cheer. We had performances from the newly created musical theatre group, with an excerpt from "Elf the Musical" and also our Dance group who performed to "Step into Christmas", followed by a Christmas carol sing along! It
- [Team Building Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/team-building-day/) - On Tuesday 12th December, 50 students across the Matrix Schools met at Barr Beacon to find out more about their “Far From Home” Italian adventure as part of the Turing Scheme. The day consisted of meeting their staff, team building activities and learning more about where they are going. This of course would not have
- [Book Amnesty](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/book-amnesty/) - The Library is well on its way to being organised, but sadly we have lots of books unaccounted for, therefore I would like to invite the entire school to join in a book amnesty. We are hoping many of the missing books are at home, therefore we would like to encourage as many pupils, parents
- [Careers Fair](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/careers-fair/) - Our Annual Careers Fayre was the biggest and best yet! All students from Year 7-13 amazed our array of exhibitors with their conduct. Tracey Brace, an NHS sonographer stated “They are very polite and well-mannered but their questions are really insightful and articulate”. Dr Thomas Prewitt-Wex, Outreach Manager from Oxford Brooks University added “I am
- [Culture Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/culture-day/) - Smestow Academy is hosting our first Culture Day today, with pupils in all year groups having been invited to participate in wearing traditional dress and taking part in cultural performances. Mrs Lampitt, our Chef has also created a special culture day menu in the cafe. Culture Day was organised as a result of pupil voice,
- [Maths Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/maths-week-3/) - Last week the maths teachers wore maths tshirts to celebrate the end of Maths Week and Children in Need. The pupils engaged in fun puzzles throughout the week and there were some stunning entries for the art competition. The quality was so high that 3 winners were chosen: J Kaur Year 8, T Jones Year
- [Children in Need](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/children-in-need-2/) - Staff and pupils at Smestow Academy have been raising funds for Children in Need today, with a staff and 6th form fancy dress, a cake sale and a basketball shootout at breaktime. A total of £227.22 has been raised. All monies raised will be for BBC Children in Need, a charity which supports underprivileged children
- [Smestow Academy in the news!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/smestow-academy-in-the-news/) - A lovely article about the ongoing transformation at Smestow Academy🎉 "I visited 'inadequate' secondary school and it wasn't what I was expecting at all Smestow School in Wolverhampton is one of only a handful of secondary schools in the West Midlands with an 'inadequate' rating "It feels like the grown ups are running the place
- [Anti-Bullying Week Assemblies at Smestow Academy](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/anti-bullying-week-assemblies-at-smestow-academy/) - This week, Miss Davey (Head of Dawley House) and the Anti-Bullying Reps have delivered assemblies to year groups that shared theme for this year which is "Make a Noise about Bullying". Our reps spoke confidently about what bullying is, the different perceptions of bullying which includes face-to-face, banter and online abuse. Smestow Academy has a
- [Build a Brain - House Competition](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/build-a-brain-house-competition/) - Miss Whitehouse launched a psychological thriller of a House Competition which required pupils to Build a Brain using any materials! There were some extremely creative entries from pupils with some GCSE Psychology pupils using the knowledge learnt in lesson to produce well-written explanations of what each part of the Brain does. Pictured is runner up
- [Maths Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/maths-week-2/) - Maths Week England began today and pupils have already been getting involved. Pupils completed a selection of Futoshiki puzzles during form time this morning and they will be completing a different puzzle during lunch time each day this week. Today's puzzle was all about socks. Look out for tomorrow's puzzle all about the zoo.
- [Anti Bullying Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/anti-bullying-week/) - Anti Bullying week takes part each year in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Anti Bullying Alliance. This year's theme is 'Make A Noise About Bullying.' This event will take place from Monday 13th to Friday 17th of November. All pupils will have an assembly on our theme 'Make a Noise About Bullying' from Miss Davey and
- [Maths Week](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/maths-week/) - Maths Week England was set up in 2019 with the goal of ensuring that no children miss out on the opportunities that being a confident competent mathematician can give them. Set up by Andrew Jeffrey, Maths Week England aims to show pupils that maths is fun, relevant and, more importantly, available to everyone. This year the theme
- [Transgender Awareness Week - 13-19th November 2023](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/transgender-awareness-week-13-19th-november-2023/) - At Smestow Academy, we are celebrating Transgender Awareness week, in the week beginning 20th November. Pupils are invited to wear their rainbow laces as part of their Dance and PE kit that week. The rainbow laces are a visual symbol to celebrate, uplift and honour our trans community. There is no cost to pupils taking part in this event
- [Children in Need](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/children-in-need/) - 17th November 2023 Fundraising for BBC Children in Need will take place in school on 17th November. Pupils are asked to donate what spare change that they can in donation buckets around school. There will be a cake sale at breaktime, along with a basketball shootout on the tennis courts at break too! Staff and 6th Form are
- [Odd Socks Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/odd-socks-day/) - 16th November 2023 Anti-bullying week is taking place week beginning 13th November 2023. We are raising awareness of this though house assemblies led by Ms Davey (Head of Dawley House) and our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. To show our support, staff and pupils are invited to wear odd socks on 16th November, a symbol to all to celebrate how unique
- [New Defibrillator at Smestow](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/new-defibrillator-at-smestow/) - Following the success of the "restart a heart" campaign and raising awareness in school, we are pleased to share that we have had a new defibrillator installed in school. The device is in a locked box by Mr Murphy's office. Hopefully, we will never need to use it, but we are lucky to be able
- [Year 9 First Aid Training with Air Ambulance](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-9-first-aid-training-with-air-ambulance/) - Today, all Year 9 pupils have completed a course in First Aid, led by the Air Ambulance. As part of the statutory Health requirements and our personal development curriculum, all pupils should be taught first aid in secondary schools which will cover dealing with common injuries, how to administer CPR and the purpose of defibrillators.
- [23rd October 2023 - Breast Cancer Awareness Month](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/123rd-october-2023-breast-cancer-awareness-month/) - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and on 23rd October, our School Health Nurse Barbara Tandi came into school to raise awareness and signpost our pupils to more information. 1 in 7 women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Symptoms can include a lump, but this isn't the only form of breast
- [Anti-Slavery Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/anti-slavery-day/) - Wednesday 18th Ocotber is Anti-Slavery Day. We have discussed this in asemblies this week led by Mr Murphy and rasies awaareness of the need to stand together to stop modern slavery. We have also shared some signs that are more and less obvious. Here at Smestow Academy, we are a "telling school" and we encourage all
- [Restart a Heart](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/restart-a-heart/) - Monday 16th October is "Restart a Heart" day - a day to raise awareness about the importance of early CPR and defibrillation. More than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen every year in the UK and sadly, less than 1 in 10 people survive. This important day is now in its 10th year and is more important
- [Saltmine Switch Up Performance](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/saltmine-switch-up-performance/) - As part of our Personal Development curriculum, today pupils in years 8 and 9 had the opportunity to watch a brilliant performance by Saltmine Theatre Company on the dangers of gang violence and knife crime. Following the session, students were then part of a workshop with the actors to discuss the main messages of the
- [Themed Menus](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/themed-menus/) - We are delighted to launch our themed menus for 2023/24 off the back of our very successful new menu for the academic year. These special days are an opportunity to celebrate events, festivals and cultures from around the world across all of the Matrix Academy Trust schools. Not only will these provide pupils with a
- [Swimming Pool Refurb](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/swimming-pool-refurb/) - Work is well underway on the £100000 swimming pool and changing room refurbishment. With current progress we are still hopeful of reopening for January 2024.
- [National TA and Teacher Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/national-ta-and-teacher-day/) - At Smestow Academy, we value all members of our school community. We are proud to recognise National TA and National Teacher Day in our school. Pupils have been busy writing thank you cards to staff as part of this event. We had an overwhelming response from our pupils, who were really grateful to be given
- [World Mental Health Day - 10th October](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/world-mental-health-day-10th-october/) - 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
- [Macmillan Coffee Morning](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/macmillan-coffee-morning/) - On Friday 29th 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
- [Black History Month](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/black-history-month/) - This week pupils at Smestow Academy have been learning about diversity and celebrating Black History Month. The theme for Black History Month this year is Saluting our Sisters, raising awareness of the exceptional achievements of black women through time. As part of this, pupils have received an assembly and have the opportunity to take part
- [Castlecroft Primary School Forensic Workshop](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/castlecroft-primary-school-forensic-workshop/) - 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
- [Open Events 2023](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/open/) - 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
- [GCSE Results Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/gcse-results-day/) - 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 Level Results Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/a-level-results-day/) - 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
- [Results Day Information](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/results-day-information/) - A level Results Day - Thursday 17th August 2023 Results will be available from 8am till 11am in Dining Hall GCSE Results Day - Thursday 24th August 2023 Results will be available from 9am till 11am in Dining Hall
- [Sports Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sports-day/) - 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
- [End of Year Assemblies](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/end-of-year-assemblies/) - 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
- [Year 11 Prom 2023](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-11-prom-2023/) - What a fabulous night at our Year 11 Prom! We are so proud of all of our Year 11 and what you have achieved over the last five years. Our pupils went all out with some amazing dresses and suits as well as fabulous heels. We saw some spectacular entrances from pupils in limousines, lorries,
- [Christchurch School](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/christchurch-school/) - On Thursday, Mr Webb took a group of fantastic YR8&9 Sports Leaders to Christchurch school to run their annual sportsday. We were invited back after last year being such a success and the students once again did not disappoint with their fantastic attitude, participation and leadership throughout the day. The students first of all had to lead on a number
- [Magistrate session](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/magistrate-session/) - Today 30 pupils in year 8 were invited by Wolverhampton Grammar School to attend a session delivered by Mr Russel, a serving magistrate for Wolverhampton City. The pupils learned about the role of the magistrate court in UK government and were given real case scenarios where they had to use evidence to determine what they
- [Matrix Academy Trust Awards Evening 2023](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matrix-academy-trust-awards-evening-2023/) - Matrix’s first ever cross-trust pupil awards event, held at Millennium Point on 20th April, was a fantastic success. Pupils were recognised for exemplifying our trust values of creativity, resilience, selflessness, enthusiasm and continuous improvement. There were also awards for exemplary members of our Cadet Forces. With more than 7000 pupils across our trust schools, it was
- [Molineux Tour](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/molineux-tour/) - On Thursday the group of YR7 students who have been working with Wolves in the Foundation got the chance to tour round Molineux stadium. As part of the Premier League Inspires programme that the students have been taking part in is this reward trip for their hard work and interaction. The students got to go
- [Final Football Standings](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/final-football-standings/) - Football seasons have come to an end and it is two third place finishes and two bottom half finishes for our four football teams across the academy. The Year 9 football team and Year 10 football team have finished 6th and 5th respectively in their leagues. With an injury depleted squad for both year groups, it was
- [Geography Home Learning](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/geography-home-learning/) - A huge thank you to our KS3 pupils who have handed in OUTSTANDING Geography home learning this half term. There has been some amazing work and creativity.
- [Global Recycling Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/global-recycling-day/) - Huge thanks to all students that entered the Global Recycling Day competition. The winners were James and Thomas B who won 100 points for their house with this entry... Well done boys!
- [Emphatic Victory](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/emphatic-victory/) - Our Year 10 football team turned back the clock to the standard of performance that clinched a league title last year with an emphatic 9-4 win over St Edmunds on Friday 17th March. The boys dominated the game from the start with the energy of captain C. Davies in the centre of midfield alongside his partner M. Li
- [Comeback Kings](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/comeback-kings/) - Our year 7 team pick up their second win of the season against NEWA on Tuesday evening with their best performance of the year! The first half was very tight but the boys found themselves 2-1 down at half time but certainly weren’t out of it. We equalised early on in the second half but
- [Girls Football Day](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/girls-football-day/) - On Wednesday 12 Yr7&8 girls embarked on the Biggest Ever Football session in Wolverhampton! The girls spent a whole morning at Aldersley Leisure Village taking part in different football activities .... Futsal, Skills, Goalkeeping and the most popular one which is a new game called Panna. All participants were a credit to the school where
- [Champions](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/champions/) - Smestow are proud to announce that our YR8 girls have been crowned the best Volleyball Team in the City! On Thursday night Kyla, Aicha, Ffion & Yancey competed in the volleyball competition at Kings School. The girls soon picked up what was needed to be successful in the sport and came away winning all of
- [Bronze Medal for YR8 Boys in Volleyball City Competition](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/bronze-medal-for-yr8-boys-in-volleyball-city-competition/) - On Tuesday night Mr Webb took 4 YR8 boys to Kings School to compete in the YR8 annual City Volleyball Competition. The lads have not had much experience with volleyball matches but soon picked up the skill and match awareness to defeat 3 of their opponents throughout the tournament. They worked excellently as a team
- [Matrix Academy Trust Talent Competition](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/matrix-academy-trust-talent-competition/) - Do you have a special talent you wish to showcase at our next big live event. You will have the chance to perform on stage in front of a live audience in Birmingham at Millennium Point in their state-of-the-art theatre on Thursday 20th April 2022. Whether it be singing, dancing, juggling, stand-up comedy or anything and
- [We are Social!](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/we-are-social/) - We are happy to launch the brand-new Smestow Academy website. We hope this makes communication between school, parents and pupils easier and more effective. Our website is updated on a weekly basis so please use this to stay up to date with everything going on around school. Our school letters will be uploaded onto the
- [Happy Puzzle Company](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/happy-puzzle-company/) - On Thursday 2nd February, The Happy Puzzle Company visited Smestow Academy. Students from years 7 and 9 took part in workshops that focused on problem solving and team building skills. In groups of 6, pupils took part in a series of fun challenges. Challenge 1 proved the most fun for staff as pupils tried to
- [Year 10 Volleyball](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/year-10-volleyball/) - On Tuesday night the YR10 boys travelled to Kings school to take part in the city Volleyball Competition. Considering the lads have never played competitive volleyball before, their performance was highly impressive! They showed some great skill and teamwork throughout the night beating the likes of Kings, St Peters, St Chads and Moreton. Team B
- [Sports hall Athletics Competitions](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/sports-hall-athletics-competitions/) - Yesterday, the Sportshall Athletics competitions got underway and it was the turn of year 10 first of all. These 5 boys showed excellent commitment to the school to compete at the highest level possible in a range of events The boys all completed two field events each, where a shoutout goes to M.Lefter for his
- [Young Voices 2023](https://smestowacademy.co.uk/young-voices-2023/) - For the first time at Smestow Academy, Year 7 students had the opportunity to take part in Young Voice 2023 at Resorts World in Birmingham along with over 6000 other students across schools in the West Midlands. The students worked hard learning songs and dance moves for the concert, and what a fantastic job they did! They

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