History of Smith's Wood
Smith's Wood is the site of the ancient 'Smith's Wood' – a historical woodland which was once part of the forest of Arden. It was officially designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2004. Burtons Farm once stood on the junction of Burtons Way and Windward Way and was part of the estates of Coleshill Manor and Kingshurst Hall inRegeneration of Smith's Wood
As part of a £1.4 billion project, many flats and houses (mostly built in the 1960's and 1970's) have been demolished and rebuilt in Smith's Wood as part of the regeneration project of North Solihull. New features have included a brand new high street with a state of the art medical centre, post office, library, a community hub, and a new private housing estate on Burton's Farm Park. The Woodlands campus of Solihull College was completed in 2006. In 2024 one of Solihull's makeshift 'Family Hubs' opened, offering refuge and support for families and children. Smith's Wood Primary Academy was completed in 2009 and was at the time was one of the largest primary schools in the country. It replaced the former Kingfisher Primary School that once stood on its current sports field. Pupils from nearby Bosworth Wood Primary School were merged with the school to occupy the new building. It is ranked as the number 1 best primary school in Solihull, and top 100 in the country.Cars Area
The 'CARS Area', also known as the 'CARS Estate', is a red brick housing estate in the north of the parish consisting mostly of red brick terrace housing built mostly in the late 1970's as an overspill of the existing 'Chelmsley Wood North' estate. The area is distinct for its cosy atmosphere as the majority of its properties are inward facing with the front doors facing greens, gulleys and pavements. Lanchester Park and further woodland can be found here.Education
There are two primary schools in Smith's Wood. Smith's Wood Primary Academy (formerly 'Smith's Wood Community Primary School') on Burtons Way, and St John the Baptist Roman Catholic Primary School on Arran Way. Smith's Wood Academy (formerly and popularly known as 'Smith's Wood Sports College') is the main senior school attended by Smith's Wood children, though some also attend other schools in the wider North Solihull area. The school is known for its swimming pool, rock climbing wall, fitness centre and other sports facilities, often used by the community. Smith's Wood has four SEND and SEMH schools for pupils aged 3-18. Forest Oak School and Merstone School share a building on shared grounds with Smith's Wood Academy on Windward Way. Castlewood School catering for children with SEMH on Jensen Avenue, and The Heights school on Auckland Drive, exclusivley built for pupils in years 3-7.Ethnicity
At the 2001 Census, Smith’s Wood had the 6th highest proportion of non-white residents (Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Chinese) in Solihull (6%), although all wards in the Borough are below the West Midlands average of 11%. In 2001, Smith’s Wood had the Borough’s highest proportion of mixed race (3%) and black residents (3%).Democracy
Smith's Wood ward is one of 17 wards within Solihull Borough Council. The ward has traditionally been represented by the Green Party and since 2008 and won every year since 2011. Consequently, all three councillors for Smith's Wood are now Green Party representatives.Notable Residents
Nottingham Forest forward Jamie Ward grew up in Smith's Wood and attended Smith's Wood Academy. Philanthropist and ParliamentariaReferences
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