News – FMAT

Black History Month Expo at Erdington Academy

Simone Gannon — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:49:09 +0000

Students, staff and hundreds of members of the local community packed into Erdington Academy to enjoy an ambitious event celebrating Black History Month – with music, food, art and poetry.

More than 300 people flooded into the Academy on the 3rd October for an evening of cultural celebration, with performances, events and food spanning a diverse range of African and Caribbean cultures.

Smith’s Wood DofE Expedition

Simone Gannon — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:16:10 +0000

Last month, 22 students from Smith’s Wood took part in a Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

This was the first time since 2018 a DofE event had taken place for Smiths Wood students, and it took a huge amount of effort by Sophie Weightman and a team of colleagues who supported and volunteered their time to get it up and running!

In true British style, the weather was cold and wet, however this didn’t dampen the spirits of the students. ��Their kindness,��respect��Ի��resilience��shone thought and they were all a credit to the Academy.

A special thanks to the DfE and in particular the charity Evelyn’s Gift, whose financial support made this all possible.

Just another example of how working together we can ensure we commit to our mission��“enriching lives, transforming futures”.

Erdington Academy PGL Trip

Simone Gannon — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:47:46 +0000

Erdington Academy PGL trip: Thirty pupils from Erdington Academy made everlasting memories on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to PGL, after the school won an external competition sponsored by the Great British School Trip. Read the full article online.

Smith’s Wood Students attend the West Midlands Hospitality Takeover Event at The Belfry Hotel

Simone Gannon — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 16:32:59 +0000

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On Friday 4^th October, as part of Apprenticeship Week, Springboard organised a West Midlands Hospitality Takeover Event at The Belfry Hotel and Resort.

This oversubscribed event hosted c.120 students from schools/academies across the region, plus accompanying adults. The itinerary for the day comprised of a series of activities hosted by expert leaders from The Belfry, to give students an insight into the numerous career opportunities within the Hospitality Industry.

Students from Smith’s Wood Academy [Kodi, Josh, Kadie, Kyle & Lacie] were fortunate enough to get the last five available spaces and their appreciation at being part of this prestigious event shone though all day.�� They arrived early on an INSET day, kitted out in their school uniform, and actively took part in each of the six sessions: Venue Tour; Mocktail Masterclass; Chef Tasting Session; Gala Service; Career Exhibition; and Towel Art.

Chloe Hynds-Clarke, Food Technician at Smith’s Wood and myself were truly impressed not only by the impeccable way students conducted themselves, but also that they acted upon practical advice given on how to behave in a professional work environment; they made a point of introducing themselves to staff and exhibitioners, keeping eye contact, shaking hands, offering to help clear up after activities and always showing their appreciation with a “thank you”.�� These actions demonstrated both the Smith’s Wood Academy values “Respectful, Ambitious, Resilient” and key life skills which will elevate them in their future careers.

Whilst this event was coordinated by Springboard, there will be further opportunities for students in our Trust to meet and interact with staff from The Belfry in careers assemblies and chef demos on academy sites, as well as through tours/work experience at The Belfry.

Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to some key members of staff who helped make this opportunity happen for our students.�� A perfect example of how together we can achieve our Trust mission “Enriching lives, transforming futures”.

Springboard: Rebekah Henry and team

The Belfry: Emma Oliveira, Dean Cole, Esther Pinedo; Varun Shetty, Anne Metcalfe Emma Wesley Myles, Maia Breedon, Nikhil Patel, Carolin Fisher & Kirsten Price

Smith’s Wood: Chloe Hynds-Clarke, Heather McLelland, Chantelle Reid

For further information:

Oracy Interventions

Simone Gannon — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 09:56:14 +0000

An article in Schools Week explores the evidence that oracy interventions can be effective, but most existing evidence looks at their impact on reading, rather than on oracy itself or wider speaking skills.

Progress 8 & Constructive Accountability

Simone Gannon — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:58:03 +0000

Schools Week report in this article on how Progress 8 must give way to more constructive accountability

Fairfax Academy Arts Showcase 2024

Simone Gannon — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:25:38 +0000

The Smith’s Wood Journey

Simone Gannon — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 14:07:19 +0000

Under the Leadership of Steve Huntington, Principal of Smith’s Wood Academy, the Smith’s Wood Journey is well underway and the small daily steps towards long term, consistent improvements have been recognised by Ofsted in their recent monitoring visit.

Bournville: Advantages of an All-Through Academy

Simone Gannon — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 13:29:22 +0000

To read more about the advantages of an All-Through Academy and how Bournville staff work to make student transition as seamless as possible, .

FMAT Games 2024

Simone Gannon — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 12:21:16 +0000

This year’s FMAT Games took place at Wyndley Leisure Centre on 13th June.

Teams from all Academies competed in track and field events, and it was great to see that every Academy had full teams this year. The��#ambition��Ի��#dedication��shown by staff to prepare the teams and students was to be commended.

What was of a particular note this year, was that students from opposing academies are starting to recognise, chat and support each other in their events. This is really demonstrating the power of sport, and collaboration.

“There was a real ‘friendly rivalry’, and students’ efforts and behaviour were exemplary”.

Thanks must go to all the staff who helped to prepare the students for this event, staff officiating at the event and particularly Dave Trowman for running the meeting on the day.

Congratulations to the students from Fairfax for their victories in every age group:

Year 7&8 Girls:

1^st��Fairfax�� 2^nd��Erdington�� 3^rd��Smith’s Wood�� 4^th��Bournville

Year 7&8 Boys:

1^st��Fairfax�� 2^nd��Erdington�� 3^rd��Bournville�� 4^th��Smith’s Wood

Year 9 & 10 Girls:

1^st��Fairfax�� 2^nd��Erdington�� 3^rd Smith’s Wood�� 4^th��Bournville

Year 9&10 Boys:

1^st��Fairfax�� 2^nd��Erdington�� 3^rd��Smith’s Wood�� 4^th��Bournville

The next Trust wide event is the FMAT Show at Brammall Hall on 24th October. Tickets for staff are free and especially if you have never been before, we highly recommend you attend. It’s a fantastic occasion, showcasing the many talents of our students on stage.