Careers Advisor

We are seeking an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and student-focused Careers Advisor to join us here at Smiths Wood Academy. You will play a vital role in supporting students aged 11–16 to make informed decisions about their future education, training and career pathways. The successful candidate will provide professional, impartial careers guidance, helping students understand the wide range of opportunities available to them after Year 11. Working closely with school leaders, staff, parents, employers and education providers, you will contribute to a high-quality careers programme that inspires ambition, raises aspirations and supports positive destinations for all students.

Key Responsibilities include:

1. Delivery professional, impartial and confidential one-to-one careers guidance interviews with students and, where appropriate, their parents/carers.
2. Supporting students to explore their strengths, interests and aspirations, enabling them to make informed choices about their future.

The Ofsted visit in January 2026 found that Smith's Wood Academy is the most improved school in England- after a dramatic and fast paced turnaround. Please see video https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KpsPE5pdJRQ from the Principal with further details about the Academy.

Our recent Ofsted inspection shows we have improved in all areas. Leadership, attendance and behaviour, inclusion, personal development and wellbeing were all graded ‘expected standard’ and we are committed to building on this success.  

Key points from the report included that

"Staff know that their wellbeing and professional development matters deeply to leaders: They value the training that they receive and the opportunities that they have to pursue leaderships qualifications. Leaders have ensured that staff and pupils benefit from a happy and collaborative place to learn and work."

"Pupils' increasingly positive behaviour reflects the high expectations that leaders have of them."

"Pupils are calm and happy around the school. The school is a friendly, respectful community where pupils can be themselves. Pupils and staff share warm relationships. Increasingly, more pupils enjoy coming to this inclusive school. They speak positively about the support and care that they receive from staff. Pupils feel safe and well looked after."

Please see link below to the Academy Website and the full Ofsted Report. Smith's Wood Academy – Part of Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust. A comprehensive school based in Solihull, West Midlands.

Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as well as providing evidence of qualifications. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of[1]offenders-act-1974

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of%5b1%5doffenders-act-1974