Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community
Welcome back to the start of what promises to be a vibrant Module 5! As the days grow longer and we enjoy this welcome spell of warmer weather, there’s a real buzz of energy around the academy.
You may have already noticed some positive changes on site. We’re delighted that the new water fountains are now installed and available for students to use, helping them stay refreshed throughout the day. Excitingly, the newly refurbished reception area is nearing completion and will soon provide a welcoming and efficient point of contact for all.
We ended the last module on a high with a truly successful Cultural Capital day. It was fantastic to see our students engaging in such a diverse range of experiences, with an impressive 21 trips and visits taking place. This commitment to broadening horizons is a key part of our academy ethos.
Last Friday, we were pleased to welcome Phillip Coleman, one of our Academy Governors, for a visit to the school. He reviewed various aspects of our PSHE provision and offered encouraging feedback on the valuable work being done in this area.
We look forward to another productive and enriching module ahead which of course sees the start of external examinations. Our Year 11 and 13 students are diligently preparing and we all wish them every possible success.
As always, if we can support you in any way please contact us via info@labexley.org.uk, where we will make every endeavour to respond within 24 hours.
Best wishes,
Mr John Dixon | Principal, Leigh Academy Bexley
College Rewards Assemblies – Celebrating Excellence
At the end of the last module, all colleges came together to host their rewards assemblies—an opportunity to publicly recognise students for their continued hard work, dedication, and commitment to the values of our academy.
Students were celebrated across a range of categories:
- Certificates of Achievement
Awarded to students for exceptional performance in key areas including attendance, behaviour, punctuality, and independent learning.
- Acts of Kindness Awards
Selected by their college teams, students who demonstrated consistent kindness and compassion were recognised with ‘All for One’ vouchers in appreciation of their positive contributions to the college community.
- Head of College Awards
These prestigious awards were given to students who consistently model the academy’s core values, reflecting outstanding character and academic excellence. Winners received ‘All for One’ vouchers as a token of recognition.
- Golden Triangle Recognition
Students who achieved 100% positive behaviour, attendance, and punctuality were entered into a prize draw for ‘All for One’ vouchers. All qualifying students were also invited to a celebratory Domino’s Pizza Party as a well-deserved reward.
We are immensely proud of the achievements of our students and look forward to celebrating even more success as the year progresses.
MFL Careers Talk
On Wednesday 23rd April, our year 9 students were treated to a careers talk in the main hall where we welcomed three inspiring guests.
- Monika Wilczynska – A passionate creative professional who shared her journey of pursuing her childhood dream despite adversity, highlighting the emotional and cultural richness languages can bring. She has worked with the Mayor of London, toured with artistes and written a short film which won six awards.
- Zayd Rasool – A business leader with vast experience in international markets, who discussed how languages offer a competitive edge in the professional world.
- David Binns – An industry expert whose insights revealed how multilingualism opens doors in global careers.
Each speaker brought a unique perspective—blending dream, determination, and real-world application. Monika’s heartfelt story resonated especially strongly, with some students commenting, “If she can follow her dream, I can too.” Others described her as “inspiring,” “powerful,” and “relatable.”
The impact was clear. Students left the session buzzing with excitement, reflecting on how languages aren’t just a subject—they’re a bridge to the world. The updated GCSE is also highlighted, making language learning more accessible for all students.
Their contribution didn’t just make the event a success but it made a lasting impression on our students’ aspirations.
The purpose of our MFL Language Talk was to inspire students by showing them the real-world value of learning languages—both personally and professionally. As teachers, we often hear students question the need for languages, especially in a world where English dominates. This event was a powerful response to that question.
Mrs Joachim | Coordinator of Learning – MFL
Top Performers on SPARX
We are pleased to celebrate and recognise our highest-performing students on the SPARX platform.
These students have demonstrated outstanding dedication, effort, and consistency in their home independent learning, showcasing their commitment to excellence in English.
Congratulations to all of them for their hard work and achievement!
Their perseverance serves as an inspiration to their peers, and we encourage all students to continue engaging with SPARX to support their learning and progress.
English
- Isla Rose A Year 9
- Barakah H Year 7
- Aisha A Year 7
- Tyler T Year 9
- Yuliia L Year 7
- Ade S Year 7
- Ronnie B Year 9
- Darren G Year 9
- Max A Year 9
- Leo J Year 8
Mathematics
- Isa C 9H1
- Oluwajomiloju A 8P2
- Mary A 7R2
- Davina S 8H1
- Mya M 8P1
- Kaitlyn W 8R1
- Erika G 10K2
- Barakah H 7R1
- Yoel P 8H1
- Jacob C 10P2
Science
- Barakah H 7R1
- Teddy D 7P2
- Daniel H 10K2
- Summer Y 7H1
- Ruben C 7R2
- Praise W 7R1
- Yoel P 8H1
- Henry J 7P2
- Olivia-May G 8H1
- Feilx I 7K1
Cultural Capital Day – April 2025
Our first Cultural Capital Day of the year took place on the final day of the last module — and it was our biggest and most successful yet, with students visiting 21 incredible locations across London and the South East.
From the thrilling heights of Go Ape in Battersea to the slopes of Hemel Hempstead Snow Centre, and inspiring visits to world-class museums like the Tate Modern and the National Portrait Gallery, students experienced a wide range of activities that broaden their horizons and sparked curiosity.
For many pupils, this was their first time experiencing these cultural and adventurous venues, which is exactly what Cultural Capital Days are all about, creating opportunities, expanding worldviews, and building lifelong memories.
We’re proud to share that this was our highest-attended Cultural Capital Day since its launch last academic year, a true reflection of the value it brings to our students and the enthusiasm it continues to inspire.
Assemblies
As we continue to highlight days of significance in the PSHE calendar, last week’s focus was World Earth Day 2025.
Ms Scott, Coordinator of Learning for Humanities, encouraged our students to think about this year’s Earth Day theme Our Power, Our Planet. #EarthActionDay
Earth Day is celebrated worldwide and raises awareness on our environmental issues. It serves as a reminder that we need to look after our planet for us and our future generations.
The main focus this year is on using renewable energy to sustain our plant for a healthy and prosperous future.
This week Ms Clarke-Forse, Director of Learning for English, led assemblies celebrating annual Shakespeare Day, on his birthday, which was 23rd April 1564.
Students were asked to think about why Shakespeare is still taught and why he is relevant to today’s society.
Link Governor Visit for Personal Development
Last Friday, ten of our Year 7-9 student council representatives from across the colleges met with our PSHE link governor, Mr Coleman, visiting LABex for an update on Personal Development provision.
Before meeting with Mr Coleman, the students were invited to complete a survey that gathered their thoughts on key questions; such as which parts of the PSHE curriculum they enjoy most. The results of the survey were shared with Mr Coleman and from this informed a lively discussion that highlighted how much the student body values the Cultural Capital offer and gave the students an opportunity to share suggestions of how LABex can further support their development as citizens.
Mr Coleman was particularly interested in how the students felt they were being prepared for their next steps, Year 9 and upcoming GCSE option choices as well as their use of Unifrog as a tool to help them find a career path of interest. Thank you to the students involved who are such an asset to the school and to Mrs Wilson for helping to prepare the student body for their informative meeting.
Psychology Revision Conference
On Wednesday 30th April, our Year 13 Psychology cohort attended a revision conference at Stratford Westfield, hosted by Tutor2U. Throughout the course, students have benefited from the range of resources and workshops provided by Tutor2U, and this in-person event was a valuable opportunity to consolidate their learning.
The venue was packed with students from schools across London. The session was led by two AQA examiners who offered insights into common challenges faced in Psychology exams and strategies for success. Our students found the workshop extremely helpful and engaged enthusiastically throughout.
A special mention goes to Izzie, who confidently volunteered to take the microphone and share her responses during the session. All students represented the school impeccably and left feeling well-prepared for their upcoming exam on 16th May.
