Smestow Academy, Wolverhampton
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 10 months agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Smestow Academy has transformed into a friendly, respectful community where pupils genuinely want to come to school. Teachers know their pupils well and provide strong support to those facing barriers, with particular success in improving attendance and behaviour. The school offers excellent opportunities for personal development including school productions, sports, careers guidance and links with universities.
Key Strengths
- Excellent behaviour and attendance, with pupils showing respect and positive attitudes to learning
- Strong leadership and governance driving rapid improvements across the school
- Comprehensive personal development programme including careers education, enrichment activities and leadership opportunities
- Effective support for vulnerable pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged students
- Broad curriculum offering academic and vocational qualifications with generally effective teaching
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistency in teaching quality across the school, particularly in key stages 1-3
- Pupils' speaking and writing skills need further development despite good reading support
- Staff need clearer guidance on supporting disadvantaged pupils in lessons
- Limited outcomes data available for sixth form since academy opened
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
School productions, arts, sports, breakfast club, study trips abroad, university links, form captains, prefects, librarians, ambassadors
Smestow Academy has made significant improvements since becoming an academy in January 2023, with strong progress in attendance, behaviour, and GCSE results. The school provides a happy, respectful community where pupils feel safe and are supported well.
At a Glance
59.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
19.1
Avg class size
27
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
58%
Available places
589 pupils
1,010 capacity
421 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Wolverhampton
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Wolverhampton
Admissions Demand - Wolverhampton
Places available
3,906
Applications
3,539
Got 1st preference
71.0%
Got preferred school
91.8%
Secondary admissions across Wolverhampton (2025/26)
Inspection History
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.29186%
Overall absence
26.74825%
Persistent absence
572
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Smestow Academy
Castlecroft Primary School
Bhylls Acre Primary School
Westacre Infant School
Christ Church (Church of England) Infant and Nursery School
Uplands Junior School
St Michael's Catholic Primary Academy and Nursery
Christ Church (Church of England) Junior School
Woodthorne Primary School
Perton Primary Academy
Warstones Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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