Keith Smith was born in South Shields, and went to Dame Allen's School in Newcastle.

He graduated in 1966 from Newcastle University with a BA(Hons) in Modern History and Politics, and the following year worked as an assistant at Pennywell Comprehensive School in Sunderland. He gained his Post Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Birmingham.

In September 1969 he joined the staff of the South Shields Grammar-Technical School for Boys, and in 1994 was appointed Headmaster.