The Heights Academy in Smith’s Wood, which faced serious allegations of teacher bullying and received a critical Ofsted inspection last year, is now on a path of improvement under new leadership, Solihull councillors have been informed.
Opening in September 2023, the academy promised a distinctive educational approach to support pupils who are autistic or have mental health needs. However, concerns quickly emerged among parents, who created a WhatsApp group to discuss reported issues at the Auckland Drive school, including claims that staff were inadequately managing pupils during meltdowns and that on at least one occasion, a pupil had left the school grounds unsupervised.
Following these complaints, Forward Education Trust, the body responsible for running the school, acknowledged the concerns and commissioned an independent investigation into the allegations. Meanwhile, Solihull Council’s children’s service and education scrutiny board monitored developments closely, requesting ongoing updates.
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At a recent board meeting, Jane Sowerby, the council’s assistant director of education and inclusion, shared progress updates. She revealed that The Heights Academy underwent its first Ofsted inspection in May 2025, receiving an overall rating of ‘requires improvement’ in all categories. Safeguarding was assessed as ‘adequate,’ though relationships with parents were noted as an area needing attention.
A significant development has been the appointment of Lisa Walker as the new headteacher last September, following the departure of her predecessor. Described as an experienced special school leader, Walker has established a productive working relationship with the council. Sowerby emphasized, “We are very satisfied and pleased that the trust has appointed a strong leader who is making a positive difference.”
While acknowledging that the school still has improvements to make, the officer highlighted ongoing challenges, including the lack of a permanent special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). The headteacher has been managing much of this workload herself, although a new SENCO appointment is expected imminently.
Attendance rates currently stand at 74.7%. The officer explained that this figure includes a small number of pupils who, due to anxiety stemming from past incidents, feel unable to attend regularly. The school is actively collaborating with these children and their families to offer appropriate educational provisions and consider alternative placements if necessary.
Looking ahead, council leader Karen Grinsell and the officer are scheduled to visit the school this month to provide support and further guidance on the ongoing improvement efforts. Councillor Andrew Burrow, chairman of the scrutiny board, expressed optimism, noting the benefits of direct council involvement in resolving school issues.
Due to the sensitive nature of the situation and the small number of affected pupils, part of the latest meeting was held in private for further discussion.
The Forward Education Trust remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils at The Heights Academy. They have promised transparency by sharing investigation outcomes with staff and parents as part of their ongoing efforts to rebuild trust and foster a positive learning environment.