News

Latest News Updates | Friday, 21st November

Posted on by Leigh Academy Bexley
Leigh Academy Bexley - Latest News
21
Nov

Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community

As we come to the end of a rather chilly week at Leigh Academy Bexley, we have so much to celebrate.  Our Year 11 and 13 students have settled well into their mock examinations and attendance to the breakfast-time Exam Ready Sessions has been excellent.  You will see from our articles below that our Jack Petchey Achievement Awards winners were rightfully recognised earlier this month for their amazing contributions to our academy community.  The smiles on their faces says it all!

Exciting news from our Design & Technology department this week, as we opened the doors on our refurbished Food & Nutrition rooms.  The Year 10 GCSE group can now begin learning the practical skills that will become skills for life.

Our Post 16 students have also had some fantastic opportunities this past week, as they explore the various paths available to them when they move onto their next steps after their secondary education.

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

Jack Petchey Achievement Awards

On Monday November 10th, our Jack Petchey Achievement Award Winners from 2024-2025: Felix, Rachel, Neveah, Millie, Harvey, Kelsey, Callum, Kishan, and Freya went to the Orchard West Theatre to be awarded their medals. It was lovely to hear the citations read out, highlighting the many wonderful reasons that our students were being celebrated. It was a fantastic event and it was great to see our students collect their well-deserved medals.

A group of ten individuals is formally posed on a stage with a banner in the background that reads, "If you think you can, you can!" in large white text, alongside smaller logos and words like 'Inspire', 'Motivate', and 'Achieve'. The group includes five young people seated in the front row, wearing dark school uniforms (blazers, white shirts, ties), and five people standing behind them, including one adult female wearing what appears to be a ceremonial chain or badge of office (possibly a mayor or civic leader). The seated students and standing individuals are all holding small, rectangular silver medals or awards. The background is a dark stage area.

DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY – Food Practical

Last week marked a milestone in our Design & Technology department, as Year 10 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students stepped into the newly refurbished food room for their very first practical lesson. The space, complete with brand new equipment and smart aprons embroidered with the school logo, set the tone for an exciting fresh start to the subject, which has not been taught in several years.

The inaugural challenge? Crafting an apple swan using newly taught knife skills:  a task that sounds elegant, looks impressive, and judging by the students’ reactions, feels a bit like competing on a very polite version of MasterChef.

Despite this being their first experience with advanced knife techniques, students rose to the challenge brilliantly. The room was filled with enthusiasm, determination, and just the right amount of competitive energy. Their finished apple swans created quite a buzz, attracting curious glances (and a few jealous ones) from peers passing by.

Of course, no first knife skills lesson would be complete without a couple of minor nicks, nothing serious, just the sort of tiny cuts that are practically a rite of passage for any budding chef. These were handled swiftly and safely, and spirits remained high. If anything, the students wore their plasters like badges of honour!

Most importantly, the class demonstrated resilience, creativity and a willingness to learn key attributes that will carry them forward as they progress through their GCSE practical work. They left the lesson proud of their achievements and genuinely excited for what comes next.

We look forward to seeing their skills (and their confidence) continue to grow in the weeks ahead.

Miss N Brown – Coordinator of Learning DT

Two finished apple carvings, shaped like swans or birds, are displayed on a black, circular plate. One carving is made from a green apple, and the other from a red apple, demonstrating the completed craft.
The photo captures a workspace where hands are actively slicing and preparing apples, possibly for the carving activity shown in other images. Several apples, both whole and sliced, are on a light-colored table, alongside bright green and yellow cutting boards. Halved apples and thin, curved slices are visible on the boards, with a knife resting on the yellow board.
Two apple carvings are displayed on a white plate. One, made from red apple slices, is in the background, resembling a small bird or swan. The carving in the foreground is made from pale yellow-red apple slices, arranged in a fan shape, possibly representing a wing or tail.
A close-up of a fruit carving in progress on a bright lime-green cutting board. The carving, made from pale apple slices with red skin, is shaped like a bird or swan, with a head carved out using an apple seed for the eye. Whole and cut apple pieces are visible in the background.
A close-up view of an intricate food carving made from slices of a red apple. The slices are layered and curved to resemble a swan or bird, with one apple seed used to represent the eye. The carving rests on a dark, circular surface, possibly a plate or platter.

Year 12 and 13 Careers Fair Visit – Olympia London

Our Year 12 and Year 13 students attended an external careers fair at Olympia, London. Over 30 companies and 25 universities were represented, providing students with a valuable insight into a variety of sectors.

Students were exposed to numerous education options through universities such as King’s College, Art University Plymouth, Aston University, Bath Spa University, British & Irish Modern Music Institute, and Buckinghamshire New University, University of East London, Kingston University, among others. These institutions showcased a range of academic pathways and opportunities.

Companies present at the fair highlighted vocational courses and apprenticeships designed to help students enter their chosen industries. Students were able to engage with organizations such as:

  • AAT – the world’s leading professional body for accounting technicians
  • Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) – representing key sectors within UK agriculture
  • Au Pair in America
  • AWE – at the forefront of nuclear technology and innovation
  • British Airways
  • Campus France UK…and many more.

Our students truly embraced the opportunity, using the careers fair as another stepping stone to explore potential career paths and gain a clearer understanding of the options available to them.

Mrs J Arthur-Amponsah, Deputy Head of Holkham College

Three individuals are standing outside under an overhang or canopy (suggesting light rain), next to a large, weathered brick wall sign. The sign, which is partially obscured, reads: "The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea" and "KENSINGTON HIGH STREET W8". They are smiling, and one person on the right is pointing toward the sign.
A group of seven young people, standing outside against a backdrop of glass or metal-framed windows, are posing for a picture. They are mostly wearing dark coats, jackets, and scarves. Some are smiling or making playful gestures, such as one young woman holding up a peace sign with her fingers.
A young man, wearing a white or light-colored jacket, is smiling at the camera while holding up a small white piece of paper, possibly a ticket or badge. He is standing in a large, crowded indoor exhibition or convention hall with high arched ceilings. Many people are visible in the blurred background, suggesting a bustling event.
A young woman is standing next to a booth at a fair. The booth has a prominent sign that reads "The Sunshine Volunteers, Ghana" and displays a poster board with pictures showcasing volunteering activities. The woman is smiling slightly and holding a bag.
A few young people are gathered around a small, temporary racing track set up in an exhibition hall, possibly for remote-controlled cars or a similar activity. One person is leaning over the track, focusing on a small vehicle, while others stand nearby.
Three people are engaged in a discussion at what appears to be a careers fair or exhibition. A woman in a dark military or uniform shirt, adorned with badges and flags, is talking to two young women in civilian clothes. They are standing on a blue carpet in a large hall with high ceilings. A sign mentioning "RESEARCH ROYAL NAVY CAREERS" is partially visible in the background.

Year 12 Oxford University Workshop

Oxford University (St Hugh’s College) delivered a workshop for our Year 12 students this Wednesday . The aim of the session was to help students understand how to approach applications to Russell Group universities, navigate university life, identify required qualifications, and prepare effectively for higher education.

Our Year 12 cohort fully embraced the challenge and stepped out of their comfort zones by asking thoughtful and ambitious questions such as:

  • “Can a T Level course allow me to go to university?”
  • “Did you need your degree for your current role?”
  • “Can I live off-campus and still receive a student loan?”
  • “What else do I need to do outside school to get into a good university?”

Many students expressed an interest in completing an HPQ to strengthen their university applications. While most students are aspiring to attend university, some have shown interest in pursuing apprenticeships. The workshop also provided guidance on this route, including how to search for suitable apprenticeships and the value of completing internships over the summer.

As a school, we are incredibly proud of how articulately our Year 12 students expressed their aspirations and how fully they engaged in this workshop.

Mrs J Arthur-Amponsah, Deputy Head of Holkham College

A photo taken inside a classroom, showing two students in the foreground smiling at the camera while seated at a desk. Other students are visible seated at desks behind them, looking toward the front of the room.
A wide-angle view of a presentation taking place in a bright, modern classroom. A woman is standing in the front right, speaking to a large group of students who are seated at rows of white desks with blue chairs. A presentation slide is visible on the screen at the front of the room. The students are mostly facing the presenter, indicating an engaged audience.
A photo of students seated at desks in a classroom. In the foreground, one student with long hair is looking at the camera, while a student next to them raises their hand. The room is brightly lit, and the walls are decorated with educational posters or visual aids.
A woman is standing in a classroom, pointing to information on a large projector screen while addressing a small group of students seated at desks in the foreground. The students are looking towards the front of the room. The room is modern with white walls and overhead square lighting.
A group of seven young women is standing in front of a projection screen in a modern classroom, all giving a thumbs-up gesture and smiling. The screen displays a title asking, "How to choose a university? Does it matter where?" and features the logos of several universities, suggesting a careers or higher education presentation. Some of the women are wearing dark outdoor coats and carry bags, indicating they may be visitors or about to leave.
A view from the back of a classroom, showing students seated at desks, listening to a presentation. The heads and shoulders of many students are visible, primarily from the back, as they face the front of the room where a speaker is standing (partially visible in the distance).
A group of students is seated at desks in a classroom, paying attention to a speaker or presentation off-camera to the left. Some students are resting their chins on their hands, and one student is raising their hand, indicating interaction with the lesson.

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: Thinking Skills.

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 Thinker.

Thinking skills are the tools students use to process information, solve problems, make decisions, and think creatively or critically. In the MYP, these skills are considered essential for learning in all subjects, not just in one area.

  1. Why it matters:

Developing thinking skills helps your child:

  • Understand concepts deeply rather than just memorizing facts.
  • Solve real-world problems logically and creatively.
  • Reflect on their own learning and make improvements.
  • Make informed decisions in school and life.
  1. Key components of Thinking Skills in MYP:

The MYP organizes thinking skills into four main categories:

Category What it means Examples for your child
Critical thinking Evaluating information carefully, questioning ideas, and making reasoned judgments. Comparing two sources of information to see which is more reliable.
Creative thinking Generating new ideas, imagining possibilities, and approaching problems in innovative ways. Designing a unique project or coming up with alternative solutions in class.
Transfer Applying knowledge and skills learned in one situation to another. Using math skills learned in class to solve a real-life budgeting problem.
Reflection Thinking about their own thinking and learning process to improve. Considering what study methods worked well for an assignment and what could be done better next time.
  1. How you’ll see it at home:

You might notice your child:

  • Asking deeper questions about topics they’re studying.
  • Trying multiple solutions before choosing the best one.
  • Explaining their thinking process when solving problems.
  • Connecting ideas across different subjects (e.g., science and math).
  1. How you can support them:
  • Encourage them to explain why they think something.
  • Praise creative solutions, not just correct answers.
  • Ask reflective questions: “What did you learn?” or “How could you approach this differently?”
  • Give them opportunities to solve problems independently and discuss their process.

 

 

You can help your child practice these “learning how to learn” skills outside of school by finding real-life opportunities for them to think in a variety of different contexts.

Next week, we’ll delve into another fascinating aspect of the MYP Approaches to Learning Profile.

Actor Demetri Turin Inspires BTEC Year 10 Performers at Leigh Academy Bexley

Leigh Academy Bexley’s Year 10 students, currently studying the BTEC Tech Award in Performing Arts (Acting), were treated to an invaluable professional development session on Thursday 20th November, as renowned character actor, Demetri Turin, hosted a fascinating question-and-answer session.

The visit provided a significant real-world link for the BTEC students, directly supporting their current work on Component 1: Exploring the Performing Arts.  Mr. Turin shared honest and engaging insights into the life of a working actor, covering everything from auditions to stage craft.

Mr. Turin, who has built a diverse career in theatre and film, from the age of 44,  emphasised the critical importance of a performer’s attitude and work ethic.  Mr. Turin encouraged the students to embrace their creativity, stating that he especially enjoys character acting as it allows him to play with “extreme emotions and larger than life characters.” This resonated with students exploring performance styles for their BTEC practical units. He was firm on the importance of soft skills: always being hardworking, punctual, and positive. He framed an acting career not just as an art form, but as a profession requiring discipline and commitment.

A studio portrait of a middle-aged man with graying hair tied back and a neatly trimmed beard. He is wearing a dark, collared shirt and is gesturing with both hands extended toward the camera, with a slightly expressive or engaging look on his face. The background is solid black.

For the BTEC Tech Award, students must investigate the work of professional practitioners and understand the roles and responsibilities within the performing arts industry.

It’s one thing to read about a practitioner, but to interrogate an active professional on the demands of the job solidifies their understanding for their Component 1 written and practical assessment. We are incredibly grateful for his time and inspirational energy.

The session concluded with a rush of student questions, proving the visit to be a huge success in motivating the Year 10 cohort as they continue to develop their technical, practical, and interpretative skills for their upcoming performances.

Mrs H Forbes-Bareham  |  Coordinator of Learning Visual and Performing Arts

Launching Our Reading Buddies Programme

This week, our Sixth Form students proudly launched the Reading Buddies programme. The programme involves Year 12 and Year 13 students working with Key Stage 3 pupils to support their literacy and oracy skills. 

From the very first session, our Sixth Formers created a warm, welcoming environment for their younger peers, taking the time to ask questions about their KS3 buddy before beginning to read. This helped to build a connection and sense of trust between the pairs. Key Stage 3 students showed fantastic enthusiasm and commitment with their reading, even if they felt a little nervous to begin with. It was encouraging to see younger students reading aloud with growing confidence, supported by their buddies who helped them with words and phrases they were unsure of.

The programme offers valuable benefits for everyone involved. It not only strengthens essential communication and reading skills, but also helps build a sense of connection, encouragement, and community across year groups. It helps our KS3 students to see where their own educational journey will lead to and gives the sixth formers valuable volunteering experience to support them in their search for work.  

Overall, it has been a highly successful first week and a wonderful reflection of the resilience, kindness, and optimism of our students.

Miss M Wilson  |  Post 16 Tutor

An image taken from the back of a large classroom, showing rows of students, mostly wearing dark school uniforms (blazers and white shirts), seated at desks. Many students have laptops open and are working. The back wall features a line of computer monitors, suggesting this is a computer lab or a technology-equipped room.

SEND

Hello Parents and Carers

Your academy needs you! Or rather we need your LEGO.

A top-down shot of a large pile of various colored and shaped LEGO bricks scattered around the edge of the frame. In the center, the word "LEGO" is spelled out clearly using large, rectangular bricks of yellow, red, green, and blue.

W A N T E D

(Alive, and preferably plastic)

KNOWN ALIAS: LEGO

REWARD: GOOD KARMA (AND FEWER FOOT INJURIES)

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We have received reports of fugitive bricks hiding in your homes. Are you, or someone you know, harbouring a lonely LEGO brick in a kitchen drawer? Is there a stray 2×2 piece lurking on your kitchen counter, far from its original set?

These bricks are WANTED… for a new life!

THE ‘CRIME’: LONELINESS

Imagine a LEGO world where all the lost and lonely bricks are reunited in one huge container full of love, hope, and future builds. A place where they will be used for amazing, creative structures!

Right now, the shelves in our new Lego Therapy room are tragically empty. They need you.

THE STAKES ARE HIGH

  • If everyone finds 1 lost piece of LEGO… 4 students can build and create!
  • If 2 pieces per person are re-homed… that could double the number to 8 students!
  • If a mere 3 pieces are rescued… 12 students could have so much fun! (You do the math… the possibilities are endless!)

TURN YOURSELF (AND YOUR BRICKS) IN!

Are you fed up with the excruciating pain of stepping on that blue 4-point brick in the middle of the night? Grant it amnesty! Re-home it!

DROP-OFF LOCATION:

The official LEGO AMNESTY BUCKET (Located in the SEND office)

This challenge is also being opened up to all students. Let the hunt begin!

Thank You!

Intervention Updates: Empowering Our Students!

We’re excited to share some fantastic updates on the intervention programs designed to support and empower our students!

New Support through Bexley Safety Valve This module, we are incredibly fortunate to welcome Assistant Educational Psychologists who are delivering three new, vital interventions through the Bexley Safety Valve offer:

  • Friends Resilience: Helping students build emotional strength and coping skills.
  • Secondary Language Link: Enhancing language and communication abilities.
  • ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant): Providing targeted support for emotional literacy.

If your child is participating in one of these wonderful programs, you will have already received a letter and consent form.

An educational poster titled "Intervention Updates: Empowering Our Students!" It is divided into two columns detailing different student support programs. The left column describes emotional and communication support ("Bexley Safety Valve," Friends Resilience, ELSA, Secondary Language Link), while the right column focuses on literacy ("Boosting Literacy & Independence," Daily Literacy Boosters) and SEND support. The poster includes small, colorful illustrations.

Teaching & Learning Update 

Keeping you informed about how we support learning across the school. 

Lesson Highlights

Year 11 are currently revising for their mock exams. Below are revision tools (revision clocks, mind maps and timelines) Year 11 historians are using to revise. 

A historical timeline drawn on a classroom whiteboard, detailing key events in German history, particularly relating to the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi party, spanning from the end of WWI (1918) to 1932. Events like the Kapp Putsch, hyperinflation, the Dawes Plan, and the Great Depression are labeled on the timeline.
A circular diagram drawn on a sheet of paper, dividing the history of medicine into different time periods and concepts, such as "Ancient medicine 1000BC - 1500AD," "Medieval/Prevention/God," "Germ Theory," and "Modern Medicine." The sections contain handwritten notes in different colored pens detailing treatments, individuals, and theories associated with each era, like Hippocrates, Lister, and the Great Plague.
A close-up view of handwritten study notes in a mind map format, filling a page of lined notebook paper. The content focuses on the history of medicine and public health, with main branches labeled "Improvement/Hospital care" and "Preventions." Key individuals like Florence Nightingale and Jenner are mentioned, along with concepts like antiseptics, vaccines, and the Public Health Acts.

Digital Corner  

We are pleased to confirm the successful launch of digital ClassTools within our lessons. This initiative is designed to support teachers in effectively managing student engagement with technology, ensuring that digital time is focused and productive.  We are confident that ClassTools will enable students to maximize their use of lesson time and digital resources, leading to improved learning outcomes.  You can watch this short video designed by the Leigh Academies Trust on Google ClassTools.                                                                           

Humanities Highlights

The Leigh Academy Debate Club is officially up and running! After a soft launch in module 1, our Year 13 students have embraced their role as club leaders and are now planning and delivering the sessions, supported by Mrs Turner. So far, we have had debates around the age of criminal responsibility (Led by Xernthia) and euthanasia (Led by Josh). We are always looking for more attendees so please do encourage your students to attend on Tuesday afternoons, 3:15-4:15!

A classroom scene where a young woman is standing near the front of the room, speaking or presenting to a small group of students seated at desks. The photo is taken from a low angle, showing the white desks and blue chairs in the foreground.
A photo of a modern classroom where students are working in small groups around clustered desks. An adult woman is seated with one group, engaging in discussion. Laptops are visible on the desks, and the room has bright white walls with informational posters and cabinets in the background.

Careers Fair 

This year’s 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 7 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

A public health flyer with the title "Missed your flu vaccine?" The text indicates the flu catch-up clinic is for children aged 4-16 who live or attend school in the borough of Bexley. It lists three specific dates and times in late November/early December 2025 at the Erith Health Centre, along with a phone number and QR code for booking appointments. The flyer features the NHS logo.
Leigh Academy Bexley