Our Academy
Career Opportunities
Smith’s Wood Vacancies
Thank you for showing an interest in joining Smith’s Wood Academy, part of Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust.
Since I joined the Academy in February 2023, we have been on a clear trajectory to making small daily steps that result in big changes and everything we do is underpinned by our Academy values; ambitious, respectful, resilient. We are now one of the most improved schools for attendance in the Midlands; persistent absence has decreased, suspensions have halved due to a focus on behaviour for learning and progress at Year 11 in-year is predicting over half a grade improvement.
This is an exciting time for you to become a vital part in Smith’s Wood’s transformation journey. Smith’s Wood is a large Academy with just over 780 students from Year 7 to Year 11. Located in the north of Solihull, the Academy serves students who live in the immediate locality, with close to 60% from a disadvantaged background, 20% on the SEND register and 2% EAL. It has the benefit of being a PFI build and as such has a wide range of modern, state of the art facilities at its disposal.
Smith’s Wood is in a transitional state and I am excited about the collective spirit that is apparent as we embark on our next phase of continued growth and school improvement. The experience of being a key player in bringing about systematic change will be an essential part of a successful candidates portfolio. The current focus continues to be to prioritise the behaviour and attitudes of the students, and the consistent application of expectations by all stakeholders. The staff and leaders at Smith’s Wood have
genuine care and passion for the Academy and the community it serves. We work at pace to ensure the best education can be delivered on a daily basis and the resources required to bring about the necessary improvements are being made available.
It is also an exciting time to join the Trust as we are now entering the next phase of our development, having established ourselves as a mature MAT. We have attracted and recruited a wide range of experienced central leaders who have worked in a range of different Trusts. Given this, and the extensive connectivity of members of the Central Team with other leading Trusts across the country, FMAT is very well placed to build on its existing strengths.
Working at Smith’s Wood poses an opportunity for the right candidate to fulfil their vocational passion, whilst making a real impact, raising standards and consequently “enriching the lives, and transforming the futures” of our young people. They deserve nothing less.
Steve Huntington | Principal
For current vacancies at Smith’s Wood, please click here, or follow us on Twitter @FairfaxSWA
Employee Benefits
We are committed to making FMAT a great place to work. As part of this we offer the following benefits to all employees:
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Perkbox Wellness Hub
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Green Car Scheme
- Salary Sacrifice Technology Scheme
- Perkbox Discount Platform
- Recognition scheme
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme or Teachers’ Pension Scheme
- Continuous Professional Development
- Onsite parking
Safer Recruitment
FMAT is committed to providing the highest level of education and care to its students and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
FMAT recognises that the safe recruitment of its staff in the Trust is essential to safeguard the children in attendance. It is our duty to prevent unsuitable people from working with children – ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers who work with children.
Safer practice in recruitment means thinking about and including issues relating to child protection and safeguarding, promoting the welfare of children at every stage of the process and for all people being recruited.
For all posts, enquiries will be made with previous employers about whether a safeguarding concern has been raised against you.
View our Trust Candidate Pack for more information
Here’s just a snapshot of what our employees have to say about working at Smith’s Wood …
“The relationships we develop with our students really allow us to work closely
with them and their families so that they can be the best version of themselves.”
Nathan Stone | Associate Assistant Principal
“Smith’s Wood Academy is a rewarding and supportive place to work, where my skills and contributions are truly valued.”
Harj Sekhon | Office Manager