Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community
Learning continues with our usual high standards and expectations in place right to the end of Module 6. Our Cultural Capital Day was another huge success on Friday and we look forward to sharing the pictures with you in our end of module newsletter – LABextra! Which will be published before the end of the academic year.
We hope you enjoy our collection of information and articles below which serve as a taster of some of the activities that took place last week.
As always, if we can support you in any way please contact us via info@bexley.latrust.org.uk, where we will make every endeavour to respond within 24 hours.
Best wishes,
Mr John Dixon | Principal, Leigh Academy Bexley
MYP (Middle Years Programme)
Diving Deep: Unpacking the “Caring” 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 Caring.
At Leigh Academy Bexley, we’re committed to nurturing students who embody the IB Learner Profile.
- This week, we are focusing on developing the Caring Learner Profile. Caring learners show empathy, compassion, and respect. They act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the world around them. At school, we encourage students to be kind friends, helpful classmates, and thoughtful members of our community. Through classroom activities and real-world connections, learners are discovering the power of small acts of kindness!
Why is this important?
Being caring is important in the MYP (Middle Years Programme) because it helps students grow not just academically, but also as thoughtful and responsible individuals. Here are a few key reasons why caring matters in the MYP:
- Builds Positive Relationships
Caring students show empathy, kindness, and respect toward others, which strengthens friendships, classroom collaboration, and school community. - Encourages Global Citizenship
The MYP promotes international-mindedness. Being caring helps students understand different perspectives and take action to support others both locally and globally. - Supports Well-being
A caring environment helps students feel safe, valued, and supported — which is essential for personal and academic growth. - Promotes Ethical Action
MYP learners are encouraged to make responsible choices. Caring individuals consider how their actions affect others and strive to make a positive impact. - Fosters a Collaborative Learning Environment
In group projects and classroom discussions, caring students listen actively, support their peers, and contribute to shared success.
In short, caring is a foundation for becoming a principled, open-minded, and balanced learner — all of which are central goals of the IB MYP.
SEND Coffee Mornings
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all parents who attended our recent SEND Coffee Mornings, aimed at fostering connections within our school community.
The first event welcomed new Year 7 parents, who gained valuable insights into the interventions available for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). We were pleased to hear that many found the information about transition and available resources beneficial. Ms Leahy, our Higher Level Teaching Assistant for Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH), shared details about our ELSA programme, transition groups, and counselling services. Meanwhile, Mrs Baldock provided an extensive overview of our suite of interventions, including Zones of Regulation, Lego Therapy, and ASD outreach.
Furthermore, we received positive feedback regarding the current speech and language link intervention, skilfully managed by our Assistant Educational Psychologist. We look forward to welcoming you to the next SEND Coffee Morning in Module 1. Your engagement is invaluable!
🌟 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
- Olawamiri O – Year 8
- Barakah H – Year 7
- Lee G – Year 8
- Marcus T – Year 8
- Praise W – Year 7
- Alfie W – Year 7
- Sidney H – Year 8
- Annabel L – Year 7
- Isabelle F – Year 8
- Lily W – Year 9
Mathematics
- Alessandro G – Year 7
- Alisha B – Year 8
- Tyler E – Year 10
- Kizzie S-H – Year 7
- Fuhad A – Year 7
- Miley M – Year 8
- Dollers H – Year 10
- Archie G – Year 9
- Maddie M – Year 7
- Olivia-May G – Year 8
Science
- Teddy D – Year 7
- Barakah H – Year 7
- Ruben CL – Year 7
- Blessing A – Year 7
- Daniel H – Year 10
- Summer Y – Year 7
- Praise W – Year 7
- Alessandro G – Year 7
- Olivia-May G – Year 8
- Prithwin K – Year 7
🚀 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.
Lake District Residential – An Unforgettable Adventure Begins (2024-2025)
Last Monday, a group of excited students set off for a much-anticipated residential trip to the Lake District. Spirits were high as they prepared for a week full of outdoor exploration, teamwork, and personal growth.
The first day saw everyone getting stuck into team-building activities, which brought the group together and set a positive tone for the days ahead. From navigating challenges to supporting one another, students quickly began to build trust and confidence.
Each new day brought fresh experiences and opportunities, from high-adrenaline adventures to quiet moments in nature.
This residential was more than just a trip—it’s a chance to learn, grow, and make memories to cherish for years to come.
Student Voice
Student Reflections from the Lake District Residential Trip
Last year’s visit to the Lake District left a lasting impact on many of our students—here are just a few of their reflections on how the experience helped them grow in confidence, independence, and perspective.
Year 8 pupil:
“Going on the trip gave me a level of confidence I never imagined. Being far from London made me think carefully about how to prepare — from planning what to wear to figuring out how to dry our clothes overnight. It’s an experience I’ll always remember.”
Year 9 pupil:
“I used to find behaviour a challenge and often didn’t see the purpose behind things. This trip opened my eyes to a completely different world. It’s made a real difference to how I approach things now.”
🧠LABex Assembly Spotlight
Assembly last week focused on preparing students for Cultural Capital Week.
Mr Morgan’s message was clear; it takes courage to be a calculated risk taker however the benefits are so worth it.
Last week our students had the opportunity to once again leave LABex and go out into the wider world in order to experience something different.
Our thanks to the students, teachers and wider support network, including parents/guardians for all the work that has gone into this valuable programme 2024-25.
📚CPD Corner: How we support Teachers
Last week, staff took part in CPD focused on improving extended writing across all subjects—a key priority for raising literacy and outcomes.
Teachers are using consistent strategies from the LAT Extended Writing Journey, including teaching command words and using sentence structures like “because, but, so” to support writing.
Resources such as writing mats and sentence builders are helping students write with more confidence and accuracy. Here is an example from MFL.
Staff are also identifying where extended writing happens across the curriculum to ensure students have regular, high-quality opportunities to practise and receive feedback. As a result, we are already seeing stronger writing, greater vocabulary retention, and more confident learners.
