The former chair of Birmingham charity Services For Education, Sarah Smith MBE, who has been a trustee of the charity for more than 11 years, has retired after what her colleagues described as “unwavering and committed support”.

Since it was established as a charity in 2012, Services For Education has considerably expanded its operations and reach to reflect the diversity of the city and the needs of schools throughout the West Midlands. Today, its 200 staff teach music to 28,000 children in Birmingham and deliver professional development and school improvement for teaching and support staff throughout the West Midlands and further afield. In September 2024, Services For Education was appointed Hub Lead Organisation for Birmingham by Arts Council England as part of the National Plan for Music Education.

Sarah became a Trustee of Services For Education in March 2015 and served as Chair from 2021 to 2024. She is also well known in her role as Director of Education for the Church of England’s Diocese of Birmingham. Before that she was Executive Headteacher of St John’s CE Primary School in Sparkbrook and has also served as Chair of Birmingham Local Authority Primary Forum supporting schools on their journey of school improvement. She was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for her Services to Education.

Sharon Bell, Chief Executive of Services For Education, said Sarah was the epitome of a charity trustee.

“Services For Education has been incredibly fortunate to have Sarah’s wise advice and counsel for more than a decade. She has given unwavering support since the early years of our development, provided an unparalleled perspective on education issues and was a significant member of our team as we overcame the challenges of the pandemic,” said Sharon.

“I was fortunate to benefit from Sarah’s knowledge and expertise when I became Chief Executive in 2019. Her advice has always been considered, calm and compelling. Sarah has made a significant contribution to our work supporting Birmingham schools and young people, as well as education more widely. I, our senior leadership team and our trustees, will undoubtedly miss her wise guidance,” said Sharon.

Sarah Smith said: “Serving as a Trustee and Chair of Services For Education has been a real privilege.

“Throughout my career I have been passionate about ensuring that children and young people receive the very best opportunities, and I have been grateful for the chance to use my experience in education to support the charity’s work. I have worked alongside exceptional trustees, leaders and staff and leave with great confidence in the future of the organisation and all that it will continue to achieve for children, young people and schools across Birmingham and beyond.”

Sarah Smith was thanked for her contribution and guidance by fellow trustees and members of Services For Education’s Senior Leadership Team at a dinner one week before her final Board meeting in July.

Services For Education has an annual income of around £7m and is supported by Arts Council England, charitable donations and its commercial operations.

About Services For Education

Services For Education is an education and training charity based in Birmingham, that brings music and learning to life. The organisation employs around 200 staff who deliver music tuition to children and provide expert training and development to teaching and school support staff. It works with more than 90% of Birmingham schools and has an annual income of £7.1m (2024/2025). Part-funded by Arts Council England, it also operates its own fundraising and subsidised commercial activities. Services For Education works with more than 90% of Birmingham local authority schools.

Services For Education’s Music Service, teaches music to more than 28,000 children each year, reflecting Birmingham’s diverse population. Twenty-two percent of pupils it teaches have special needs, 35% are eligible for free school meals and more than 40% have English as an additional language. The Music Service also runs 113 free ensembles and provides more than 18,000 musical instruments free of charge, ensuring that children can access and enjoy making music together. In recent years, to enable children to develop musical skills and experience collaborative music-making, it has expanded its whole-class instrumental teaching. Each year, 12,500 children in Birmingham schools take part.

A highlight of the year is Services For Education’s annual Youth Proms at Symphony Hall that enables nearly 3,000 young musicians from schools throughout Birmingham to perform to an audience of more than 6,000 over four nights. The Music Service also runs music schools, operates a world music department, provides private music tuition for all ages, and works with partners to offer musical and choral opportunities to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

Services For Education’s School Support Service delivers expert training and development to teaching and support staff in schools across the West Midlands and increasingly across England.

It helps improve practice and ensures teachers are equipped to respond to changes in curriculum and policy. In 2024/25, 94% of head teachers rated its training as either good or excellent.

The organisation also delivers innovative programmes that support the physical and emotional wellbeing of children and young people through its Health for Life initiative which has been running for more than a decade. Learn more at www.servicesforeducation.co.uk

For further information on Services For Education:

David Clarke, Clarke Associates, (Public and media relations, Services For Education)
E: david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk;
M: 07808 735255

Issued on behalf of:

Services For Education
Unit 3 Holt Court
Holt Street
Birmingham Science Park
Aston
Birmingham B7 4AX