Latest News Updates | Friday, 7th November

Leigh Academy Bexley - Latest News

Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community

What a great start we have had to Module 2. The energy and enthusiasm of our students continue to inspire us all, and we’re delighted to share some truly enriching opportunities and highlights with you in this week’s bulletin.

We have an exciting edition this week, including ways your child can engage with the wider community and explore their future pathways.  Inside this bulletin, you’ll find:

  • An article on an inspiring Alumni Visit, written by one of our Year 13 students.
  • Our upcoming Careers Fair, a crucial event designed to help students discover their potential next steps.
  • The impact of the fantastic British Red Cross Youth Challenge Workshop.
  • A special Invitation from the Met Police offering a unique perspective on community engagement.

We believe these opportunities are instrumental in fostering well-rounded, ambitious, and community-aware young people. Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We hope you enjoy reading about everything that’s been happening.

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

Alumni Visit

On Wednesday 15th October, Leigh Academy Bexley were fortunate to receive a visit from an alumni, Amo Sokhi now Managing Director of Polaris. Amo shared his story, from growing up in Erith to becoming a very successful businessman, with our students in Years 12 and 13.

Amo’s message was one of resilience and growth. Students were taken on a journey from his days as a student, growing up in the local area in a chaotic household, a ‘colourful life’ he called it. Amo cited the positive influence his business studies teacher had on him after a very straight conversation about ‘trying harder’ at school, the conversation and wise words of advice that he has never forgotten. In addition, his media studies teacher also taught him how to write a good CV which he believes was the key to helping him to succeed in his career.

Amo managed to gain a place at Kingston University and applied for an amazing chance to work for an entrepreneur who was so impressed with his CV and covering letter that they created a role for him in their company. As a result of being given this step on the careers ladder Amo successfully got through five rounds of interviews against tough competition to gain a place on an MBA course paid for by the company at Oxford University.

Amo reached out to the students offering to support our young people and as a direct result of this talk one of our Year 13 students handed Amo his CV and was then offered a work experience placement at the company’s offices in Chancery Lane London during the two week break. Below, Oussama shares with us an account of his experience.    

During my two week work experience at Polaris, I gained a real insight into how a professional digital marketing agency operates. I supported tasks such as outreach, data handling, research and helping with client related work. I also learned how to use a CRM system to organise information and track tasks, which helped me understand how agencies manage client communication and internal processes. Alongside learning about SEO strategies and digital marketing, I developed important professional skills, including following the workplace code of conduct, managing my time, communicating clearly and showing initiative. This experience helped me grow in confidence, improve my organisation and understand what it takes to work in a fast paced business environment. Overall, I left feeling more confident, motivated and excited for my future career. Oussama – Year 13 Student

We look forward to welcoming Amo back to the Academy for our Careers Fair and working closely with him to support our young people take their first step into the world of work.

A speaker is giving a presentation on a stage in a large hall to an audience of students, who are dressed in school uniforms. The presentation slide is titled "Where it all began – Frinsted Road, Erith," detailing aspects of the speaker's background.
A man is engaging with a small group of students on the stage floor after the presentation. The students, wearing blazers and carrying backpacks, are clustered around the speaker, likely asking questions or networking.
An image of a modern, minimalist office or lobby interior. The space features a seating area with distinctive turquoise-blue velvet wingback chairs, a white circular table, and a large black arc floor lamp, with large windows overlooking the exterior.
A modern city street scene at night between two large, curved office buildings with glass facades. The buildings are brightly lit inside, and the street below is illuminated by streetlights.

Careers Fair

This year’s annual Leigh Academy Bexley Careers Fair will take place at the school on Wednesday 4th March 2026. The Careers Fair provides our students with the opportunity to explore the wide range of career options available to them after leaving school by having meaningful conversations with professionals. Your participation in this event is vital in giving our students valuable insight into the world of work.

The main event will run from 12:00 – 14:00, with a 45-minute break. Students from Year 9 to Year 13 will have the opportunity to browse the stalls at the fair, asking questions about career options in a lively and informal setting. Lunch will be provided.

If you would be interested in sharing your experience and participating in our 2026 Careers Fair, please complete the Google form linked below. Once completed, I will be in touch with more details.

Parents Careers Fair Interest Form  

Thank you in advance for your invaluable contribution to our students’ careers education.

Mrs J Arthur-Amponsah  |  Deputy Head of Holkham College

The British Red Cross Youth Challenge Workshop

We had the Red Cross visit our school on 17th October 2025 to deliver an interactive workshop on the Youth Challenge for our Year 12 and 13 students. During the session, students discussed personal, local, national, and global challenges, exploring the common threads that connect them.

Students examined what resilience looks like and the importance of support systems under the four key branches of connection, stability, resources, and adaptability.

This was followed by several case studies, where students identified challenges and discussed how these could be overcome through resilience, linking their ideas back to the support system model.

We would like to thank the Red Cross for providing this valuable workshop. It undoubtedly helped our students develop important, transferable skills that they can apply both in school and in their everyday lives.

British Red cross logo
A classroom is full of students and a few adults (some in business attire) seated in small groups at tables, facing forward. The overall setting appears to be the beginning of a presentation or a joint activity in a modern, well-lit teaching space.
A student in a dark blazer is writing notes on a whiteboard. The notes are divided into columns labeled 'STABILITY,' 'RESOURCES' (with items like 'Money' and 'Technology'), and 'ADAPT,' suggesting a brainstorming session on a resilience or problem-solving topic.
Students are seated in small groups facing each other across tables, engaging in discussion. The layout suggests a collaborative and interactive workshop environment where they are talking through a task or topic.
A group of male students, dressed in school blazers, is deeply engaged in a discussion around a circular diagram on their table. They are leaning in, showing focused engagement with the group task.
A group of female students is sitting closely together and working on a task at a table. They are focused on materials on the table and interacting with each other, reinforcing the collaborative nature of the session.
A small group of students and an adult facilitator are working together at a table. One student is writing on a paper featuring a diagram, while others are engaging with the activity and posing for the camera.
A close-up of a hand writing a list of support systems on a worksheet titled "Connections." The list includes people and institutions like 'Family,' 'Teachers,' 'Therapist,' 'Red Cross team,' and 'Community.'

A New Met for London

You are invited to join a community conversation to discuss the publication of A New Met for London 2. This is our strategy that will shape how we police London for the next two years, and we are committed to listening to the thoughts and feelings of the communities it will affect.

 This will take place at the Bexley Civic Offices, 2 Watling Street, Bexleyheath, DA6 7AT VENUE, on Wednesday 12th November 2025. Guests are asked to arrive for 1800 for a 1900 start. Parking can be located at the Bexley Council Multi-Storey Car Park, on the Broadway, DA74JG, next to the cinema, the venue is a short walk away. Alternatively any busses that travel through the Bexleyheath Broadway, the closest train station is Barnehurst, which is either a 20 minute walk, or a short bus journey.

Please accept or decline the invitation using the Eventbrite link provided:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-crime-fighting-bexley-tickets-1706786146309?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please advise if you have any dietary, mobility or access requirements. If yes, please provide further information. There will be the opportunity to ask questions during the event and networking time before the event starts.

Melanie Pressley
Detective Superintendent
Bexleyheath Police Station | SE BCU
Metropolitan Police Service