Smith's Wood Academy
Birmingham, B36 0UE · Solihull · secondary school
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13th of 15 secondary schools in Solihull we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.2/10 against 208 of them, against 0.1/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 11 | 35% | 0.39 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 13.7 · 1 | 30% | 0.03 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.52 · 0 | 25% | 0.01 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 33.0 · 3 | 10% | 0.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Smith's Wood Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 18.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 32.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -1.52, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 697 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,000. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students starting from lower baselines? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Smith's Wood Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have made "significant and highly effective changes" since the last inspection, creating a "happy and collaborative place to learn and work." While attendance, behaviour, and inclusion are meeting expected standards, achievement and teaching quality currently "need attention" due to inconsistent outcomes and knowledge gaps.
Strengths
- Attendance rates are "rising swiftly" following "particularly effective" leadership work.
- Behaviour is "increasingly positive," with a "demonstrable reduction" in suspensions and rare bullying.
- Pupils with barriers to learning, including those with SEND, are "generally supported well" using strategies like 'pupil passports'.
- The school fosters a "friendly, respectful community" where pupils "feel safe and well looked after."
- Careers education is "highly effective," helping pupils prepare for future education and employment.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure consistent support for foundational skills, specifically "legible handwriting, correct spelling of key words and correct use of punctuation and grammar."
- Staff need to adapt teaching and assessment more effectively to help pupils "deepen their key knowledge and skills."
- Teaching quality is currently "not consistent," resulting in uneven pupil experiences and unaddressed knowledge gaps.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing "an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 30.0 |
| 2024/25 | 32.2 |
| 2025/26 | 33.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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