Fairfax Multi Academy Trust (FMAT), based in Birmingham and Solihull, serves a diverse and predominantly disadvantaged student population across its four schools: Bournville School (a through-school from Reception to Year 11), Erdington and Smith’s Wood (both 11–16 secondary schools), and Fairfax (an 11–18 school with a sixth form). Almost half of its students come from a minority ethnic group and there are many cohorts where up to 70% of students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This context shapes the trust’s commitment to supporting some of the most underserved students in the country, with nearly 40% of students living in areas ranked in the bottom 10% nationally for deprivation.
Despite these challenges, the trust has leveraged its small size—serving just under 4,000 students—to create a collaborative and agile approach to improving attendance and student engagement. A major focus of this effort has been on attendance, where the trust has made substantial progress. Smith’s Wood Academy, for example, saw an almost 5% improvement in attendance within one year, ranking it the 7th most improved school nationally and the most improved in the West Midlands. In this case study, Rachael Gacs speaks with the trust’s Director of Education, Martyn Jobling, about the strategy and approaches that have led to improved levels of attendance and student engagement across the trust.
Developing an Attendance Strategy
“We’ve been relentless and tenacious in building a strategy that works for our communities,” says Martyn. “It’s about more than just numbers; it’s about building trust, re-engaging students and families, and ensuring every child feels supported in coming to school every day.” For Fairfax Multi Academy Trust, relentlessness and tenacity are the driving principles behind their approach to improving attendance and behaviour. Over the past 18 months, a dedicated team—including pastoral vice-principals, the pastoral lead, the Director of Education, and the four school principals—has collaborated to develop a robust pastoral strategy. This group has focused intensively on ensuring that students return to school regularly post-COVID, attend consistently, and engage positively with their school environment.
“It’s about more than just numbers; it’s about building trust, re-engaging students and families, and ensuring every child feels supported in coming to school every day.”
