Headteacher’s pride at once ‘inadequate’ Wolverhampton school

Lovely to see Smestow Academy appearing on the front page of the Express & Star to shout about their progress.

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 on the role of head at Smestow Academy in Castlecroft in January 2023 when it became part of the Matrix Academy Trust.

The school, previously known as Smestow School, received a stinging Ofsted report in 2022 prior to joining the academy – with inspectors criticising its leadership and safeguarding standards – as well as having a succession of headteachers in a small number of years.

But the picture is now looking a lot rosier for Smestow, as Mr Chamberlain said the once “chaotic” school has made progress.

Mr Chamberlain said: “I just feel really proud, everyone has worked really hard and pulled together, both in our school and the trust – it has been a collective effort.