Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community
We hope this newsletter finds you well as we move swiftly through what has already been a wonderfully productive and inspiring module here at Leigh Academy Bexley. It is always a pleasure to share with you the vibrant life and excellent progress happening within our academy community, and we are particularly proud of the positive momentum we have generated since the start of the academic year.
Our recent Open Events, showcasing the academy for our next cohort of students in September 2026, continue to be a resounding success. The feedback we have received so far on the quality of our staff and the engagement of our students was truly exceptional. These events are a powerful demonstration of the strong community we have built together.
Also this week we welcomed our CEO, Simon Beamish, who spent time touring the academy and speaking with both students and staff. His visit included looking at the further improvements being made to the learning environment as the significant investment from Leigh Academies Trust continues to enhance our provision.
We hope you enjoy this week’s articles and 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
SEND
Edukey Updates
If you are unable to view your child’s ILP via Edukey, please do let the team know as some parents have had issues with the platform. Email SENDCO Mailbox if you are having any difficulties. This platform is a great way to keep in touch and get any update with ILPS. You can also leave comments about the provision or any changes you feel could be made.
Sensory Circuit
Our daily sensory circuit intervention is proving to be very popular and we have a number of students who are taking on responsibility in these sessions by helping to set equipment up/put away, as well as leading part of the session.
We would like to remind parents of students who may find the start of the day tricky, that the Breakfast Club is open daily from 7:30 until 8:25 and is the perfect place to begin the day away from the busy entrance. Students can talk with staff, friends, read quietly or even catch up on any independent learning. We also have porridge, bagels and cereal available free of charge. If your child would like to attend the breakfast club they can just turn up and sign in at the main reception (if before 8am) or walk straight to the restaurant (if after 8am).
Read and Write Technology to help those with Dyslexia
Click the link below to see what the software can do. Ask your child about the software- they will have a small purple jigsaw piece on the top right hand corner of their screen to activate this program.
Independent Learning Support
The SEND team is on hand every day (except Wednesdays) from 3:15-4pm to support any Independent learning. They will support independent learning issues if needed or your child can work on their own in a calm classroom space and help if is on hand should they need it. You can sign up to this on SOCs.
SEND Parent events in Bexley
MYP (Middle Years Programme)
Diving Deep: Unpacking the Approaches to Learning (ATL’s) 🧠🌍
Last Year, 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 5 crucial approaches to learning attributes: being that of a researcher.
At Leigh Academy Bexley, we’re committed to nurturing students who embody the IB.
- This week, we are focusing on developing the ATL of what it means to be a researcher.
One of the key Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) is being a researcher. This means helping students learn how to ask good questions, find reliable information, and think critically about what they discover.
Being a researcher is important because it:
- Builds independence – students learn how to find answers for themselves rather than always being told what to do.
- Develops critical thinking – they learn to question information, check its reliability, and make informed choices.
- Supports inquiry-based learning – research skills are at the heart of the MYP, where curiosity drives learning.
- Prepares for the future – strong research skills help students in further education, the workplace, and everyday life where they must make sense of a world full of information.
By practicing and reflecting on their research skills, students become more confident, independent, and responsible learners who can apply their knowledge across different subjects and real-life situations.
Next week, we’ll delve into another fascinating aspect of the MYP Approaches to Learning Profile.
Community Project
We are so delighted to announce that Leigh Academy Bexley Sixth Form is currently working on a sensational community project to invite the senior citizens of our area to a Christmas event this December!
This will be an amazing way for our school and Sixth Form to give back to our community in a truly meaningful way. It will be an event filled with fun, warmth and the well-known festive spirit, through refreshments, food and music (all of which makes Christmas such a memorable and joyous time!).
Further details such as time and date will be shared in the following months, but we hope you are as excited as we are to host Leigh Academy Bexley’s first ever community event!
Sixth Form Planning Team
