Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community
Another busy week comes to end, with students showing their resilience as learning continued as usual in some very warm conditions! We said our formal goodbye to Year 11 students on Wednesday and the Year 10 examinations have continued throughout the week. Next Tuesday we welcome Simon Beamish, Leigh Academies Trust CEO, Tracey Trusler, LAT West Academies Director, Kevin Watson, Principal of the Leigh UTC and Joseph Sparks, Principal of Leigh Stationers’ Academy to LABex next week for a learning walk. We are looking forward to showcasing the academy and demonstrating our ongoing progress once again.
We did make you aware back in February that Thames Water have planned road closures relating to the Riverside water pipe installation project which directly affect the roads around the academy. Colyers Lane is scheduled to be closed next week. Please plan for these road closures and related diversions that may delay travel for students and buses so that disruption to academy operations is avoided.
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
Year 11 Leavers Event
This week we began our farewells to current Year 11 who have now completed their exams. Mr Dillon started the event off with a brief memory of his school days and how today was just the beginning of celebrating next steps.
Mrs Sardar then took the year group through memory lane with the obligatory school photos of each student! Ms Mann ended the formal side of assembly, leading the students to say thank you to those key people in and out of the Main Hall who have supported them over their school journey.
Students then enjoyed shirt signing, saying goodbye to their peers and staff before consuming a refreshing ice lolly as they left the school site. We are exceptionally proud of all they have achieved and look forward to celebrating with them next week at the LABex Prom!
🌟 Celebrating Academic Success
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, Mathematics and Science.
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
- Barakeh H – Year 7
- Donatas K – Year 9
- Leo S – Year 8
- Dakota E – Year 9
- Charlotte E – Year 9
- Daisy H – Year 9
- Holly R – Year 9
- Theo C – Year 8
- Philip A – Year 7
- Millie D – Year 9
Mathematics
- Bobby Ch – Year 9
- Joel S – Year 8
- Samson O – Year 8
- Samayra P – Year 9
- Tamzin R – Year 9
- Jack A – Year 8
- Aisha A – Year 7
- Danny-James J – Year 8
- Olivia-May G – Year 8
- Nevaeh P – Year 9
Science
- Barakah H – Year 7
- Teddy D – Year 7
- Ruben C – Year 7
- Blessing A – Year 7
- Daniel H – Year 10
- Summer Y – Year 7
- Praise W – Year 7
- Yoel P – Year 8
- Henry J – Year 7
- Olivia-May G – Year 8
Student Voice
A Year 11 student shared the following reflection at the end of their LABex journey, highlighting the positive impact of teacher support and encouragement:
“Thank you for all your help throughout Year 11 in Sociology. Thank you for praising me, which encouraged me to maintain my behaviour. I will be taking Sociology as an A-level subject, so I think that shows your impact on me.”
— Year 11 Student
When teachers become the student – The Frayer Model
The Academy has launched a new approach to teaching subject-specific vocabulary. Our teachers are always striving to deliver the highest-quality lessons and to keep improving their practice. Recently, we reviewed new educational research that shows one of the most effective ways to teach subject vocabulary is by using the Frayer Model.
Here is the layout of our new frayer model.
We have introduced the Frayer Model because the research has shown that the Frayer Model helps students understand not only the definition of a word, but also how to use it correctly.
It encourages them to explore examples, non-examples, and key characteristics of each term, which leads to a deeper and more lasting understanding.
By using this method consistently across subjects, we aim to build students’ confidence and fluency with academic language, helping them succeed both in and beyond the classroom.
Here are examples that have been made in History classes.
Year 9 example: Dictatorship
Here are examples from students books:
💬 Define to Win! A Quick Challenge for Parents and Students
Please ask your child to define the following words from History and Maths. When you have asked them, please contact Mrs Mochnacova with the maths definition and Miss Theobald with the history definition. If the definition is correct, your child will be given a prize.
- Dictatorship (History)
- Bearings (Maths)
Year 7 Netballers Shine at First Tournament!
Our Year 7 netball team had their first tournament on Thursday at Mascalls Academy in Paddock Wood, and despite a few challenges, they truly shone!
The journey there was quite an adventure. A long and hot minibus ride, complete with some scenic views (and perhaps a bit of M25 traffic-watching!), meant we unfortunately missed our first game. However, this minor setback didn’t dampen the girls’ spirits one bit. They went on to win three of their games and narrowly lost three, securing a respectable 5th place after the first round.
In the second round, we faced Hundred of Hoo, and though we didn’t come out on top this time, the girls’ determination and sportsmanship were truly commendable. They were superstars throughout the day and a real credit to our school. Even in the scorching heat, their behavior was exemplary, and they enjoyed chatting amongst themselves between games. We even saw some impressive artwork and crocheting happening during lunch in the much-needed shade!
A huge congratulations to all the girls for their fantastic effort! Special recognition goes to Nellie for expertly captaining the team for the day and to Barakah for being my Player of the Tournament. Her defending skills as goalkeeper were brilliant, and she showed incredible development in the role throughout the competition.
We’re so proud of our Year Seven netballers and can’t wait to see what they achieve next year!
🚀 Strive Corner: Extending Your Child’s Learning
Each week in Strive Corner, we’ll spotlight either an exceptional piece of student challenge work or a useful tip to support independent thinking and stretch learning further.
This space is designed to celebrate subject passion, curiosity, and learning that goes beyond the core curriculum. Whether it’s showcasing outstanding work or sharing simple strategies, our aim is to provide a glimpse into how students are challenging themselves — and to inspire the same enthusiasm and depth at home.
🧠 Strive at Home – Educational Places to Visit This Weekend
- The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Explore STEM, history, and engineering through interactive exhibitions, warships, and rope-making. Great for linking to KS3/4 History and Science.
- Rochester Cathedral & Castle
Perfect for exploring medieval history, architecture, and local heritage. A great tie-in with English and History curriculum themes.
- Greenwich – Royal Observatory & Maritime Museum
A short train trip away, this area offers world-class learning about astronomy, navigation, time, and British naval history.
- The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge (Canterbury)
A mix of art, local history, and curiosity-based exhibitions — great for creative inspiration and independent exploration.
- Brogdale Collections (Faversham)
Home of the National Fruit Collection — ideal for learning about biodiversity, horticulture, and sustainability. - Maidstone Museum
Free entry and full of exhibits on natural history, archaeology, and world cultures – supports both science and humanities learning.
LABex Assembly Spotlight
Strengthening Student Culture Through Everyday Excellence
This week’s assembly theme was led by Mr Wilson, our Safeguarding lead at LABex. Students were reminded of what LABex aims to deliver on ‘World class basics’ which means doing the simple things really well. This will lead to improved relations with both staff and students and therefore improving their experience at LABex. As part of this we reminded students of our uniform policy and the reasons why we have this in place to benefit everyone.
Online Safety Focus: Empowering Students to Make Safe Choices
Students were then reminded of our safeguarding policies before being guided to reflect on the key message of our assembly; online safety. With the increasing numbers of students who have access to social media platforms and online gaming we continue to aim to teach them safe use of the internet. The reflection below outlines a summary of the key messages we hope will reassure you of our commitment to keeping our students safe.
MYP (Middle Years Programme)
🧠🌍 Diving Deep: Unpacking the “Communicator” Learner Profile
Last module, we introduced the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) curriculum we proudly follow as a candidate school. This week, we’re putting a spotlight on one of the ten crucial Learner Profile attributes: being a Principled.
At Leigh Academy Bexley, we’re committed to nurturing students who embody the IB Learner Profile. This week, our focus is squarely on what it means to be a Principled.
Being principled means:
- Acting with integrity and honesty
- Taking responsibility for your actions and their consequences
- Doing what is right, even when no one is watching
- Understanding and following rules, both in school and in life
- Showing respect for others and standing up against unfairness
💬 In everyday life, a principled student:
- Admits when they’ve made a mistake and tries to make it right
- Doesn’t cheat, copy, or lie — even if it’s easier
- Treats classmates, teachers, and family members fairly and kindly
- Thinks carefully before acting, especially when their decisions affect others
- Stands up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult
🏡 How can parents support this at home?
- Talk openly about values like honesty and fairness
- Praise your child when they make the right choice, especially in tough situations
- Set a good example by being honest and accountable yourself
- Encourage them to take ownership of their actions — both the good and the bad
- Discuss real-world examples of principled behaviour (or the lack of it
Being principled helps students grow into trustworthy, responsible, and ethical adults — ready to contribute positively to their communities.
Let’s continue to support our learners as they grow into thoughtful global citizens!
Next week, we’ll delve into another fascinating aspect of the MYP Learner Profile.
