Latest News Update | 6 March

Pathways to the Future – Annual Careers Fair at Leigh Academy Bexley | 4 March 2026

Our annual Leigh Academy Bexley Careers Fair took place on Wednesday and was a great success. The event was designed to support students across multiple year groups: KS3 – Years 9,  KS4 – 10 and 11, and KS5 – Years 12 and 13.

We were fortunate to welcome 23 organisations and professionals who shared insights into their careers and industries. From the education sector, we were pleased to host representatives from the University of Greenwich, North Kent College and London South East College, who provided valuable information about courses, apprenticeships and T Levels.

In addition, a wide range of professionals attended to speak about their career journeys and day-to-day roles. Students were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions and creating meaningful two-way conversations with employers and providers. This allowed them to gain a clearer understanding of possible career pathways and the steps they need to take next.

Year 10 and Year 12 students made excellent use of the opportunity to network with employers and explore potential work experience opportunities. Year 13 students who have received offers from the University of Greenwich were also able to ask more detailed questions about campus life, course expectations and what their first year at university may look like.

The event included professionals and organisations from a variety of sectors, including the NHS (biochemistry and medical research), Stagecoach, Doceo, HM Revenue & Customs, medical professionals, technology and digital specialists, software engineers, Lloyds Banking Group (insurance), C&M Marketing, the RAF, Barclays (accountancy), Investment 20/20, the Erith Fire Brigade, among many others.

We are incredibly grateful to all the organisations and professionals who gave their time to support our students. Their contribution plays a vital role in inspiring our young people and strengthening the connection between education, industry and our wider community.

Mrs J Arthur-Amponsah  |  Deputy Head of Holkham College

National Offer Day

We are pleased to share that following Year 6 National Offer Day, the academy is fully subscribed for September with all places allocated and a substantial waiting list in place.

This outcome represents a significant milestone for the academy and demonstrates the growing confidence families across Bexley have in the quality of education and opportunities provided by Leigh Academy Bexley.

Over the last three years, the academy has undergone a sustained period of improvement and transformation. Through a relentless focus on raising expectations, strengthening teaching and learning, developing an ambitious curriculum, and enhancing wider opportunities for student leadership and personal development, the academy has continued to move forward at pace.

The strong demand for places clearly reflects the academy’s position as a school of choice within the local community and recognises the dedication of our staff, the achievements of our students, and the support of our families.

While we are proud of this milestone, our focus remains firmly on sustaining improvement, delivering high-quality education, and ensuring every student achieves their full potential.

We look forward to welcoming our new Year 7 students in September and continuing the academy’s journey of growth and success.

Mr K Powders  |  Deputy Head of Knole College  |  Transition Lead

Art International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (Art MYP)

Students in Year 7 have been exploring painting through the lens of how time and space influence aesthetics. Students will soon be looking closely at the work of Michael Craig-Martin, analysing how he draws everyday objects from different eras to highlight shifts in design, function, and cultural meaning.

Left, Book/Kindle. Right, Telephone/iPhone 2017
(Image credit: artist and Alan Cristea Gallery, London © Michael Craig-Martin)

Year 8 have been developing their digital art skills, creating imaginative pieces that investigate surreal narratives and striking juxtapositions, using contrast and unexpected combinations to push their visual storytelling. Both year groups are building confidence in technique while asking thoughtful questions that deepen their creative intent.

Example work from year 8 students.

Mr N Britton-Field  |  Lead for Visual Arts

Keeping Your Child Safe Online: Free Expert Webinars for Parents

In an era where technology is an integral part of our children’s lives, navigating the digital world can often feel like a challenge for parents. To help you feel more confident and informed, we are pleased to share details of two upcoming free webinars hosted by RM Technology (a platinum partner of the Confederation of School Trusts) and renowned online safety expert Alan Mackenzie.

These sessions are designed to provide practical, honest, and jargon-free advice on how to support your child’s digital wellbeing.

Session Details

Both sessions take place on Monday 9 March 2026. Please join the webinar that best fits your child’s age group:

• Primary School Parents (17:00 – 17:45)
  • Focus: Building healthy digital habits from the start, setting up a secure home environment, and simple tips for supervised play and learning.
• Secondary School Parents (18:30 – 19:15)
  • Focus: Navigating the complexities of social media, managing digital footprints, and maintaining open dialogue with teenagers about their online lives.

Why Attend?

The digital landscape changes rapidly. These webinars move away from “scare tactics” and instead focus on empowering parents with:

• Practical tips for device settings and parental controls.
• Expert insights into current trends and apps.
• Communication strategies to help you talk to your child about online risks without it feeling like a lecture.

How to Register

Registration is free for all parents in our school community. You can secure your spot by visiting the RM Technology events page here: [Insert Link: rm.com/events].

Note: If you cannot attend the live session, we recommend registering anyway, as a recording is often sent to all registered participants afterward.

Ms D Pieroulli  |  Head of Holkham College

The Countdown is On: Humanities Heroes Take the Lead!

With the Year 11 examinations fast approaching, our Humanities Heroes: The Final 90 challenge is in full swing. We are now well into the critical 90-day window leading up to the first Sociology, Geography and History exam.

By tackling short, daily tasks on Google Classroom, our students are turning revision into manageable chunks.

The Leaderboard: Who’s Checking In?

We’ve seen fantastic engagement across all three subjects. Currently, a dedicated cohort of students is logging on every single day to sharpen their skills. Here is how the engagement looks so far:

Subject	Daily Active Heroes
History	42 Students
Geography	34 Students
Sociology	20 Students

It’s brilliant to see History leading the charge, but Geography and Sociology are hot on their heels! These daily “low-stakes” quizzes are specifically designed to reduce exam-day nerves by making the format of the questions feel like second nature.

Why It Works?

Education research consistently shows that doing a little bit often is far more effective than one long session. By engaging daily with the tasks, students are:

• Strengthening Memory
• Perfecting Technique
• Building Routine

It’s Never Too Late to Join!

If your child hasn’t started their “Hero” journey yet, don’t worry—the door is wide open. All previous tasks remain live on Google Classroom. Students can go back to Day 90 and catch up on any missed questions or practice questions at their own pace.

Every task completed is another piece of knowledge locked in for the summer. 

Let’s keep that momentum going, Year 11!

Mrs L Turner  |  Director of Learning Humanities

Holkham Student Voice Alert!

Our Holkham students continue to show great determination in their pursuit of becoming the best versions of themselves, our Holkham motto. They are keen to share their ideas, opinions and experiences and we value every opportunity to hear from them.

Student voice is an important part of life at Holkham. We actively encourage students to express their views and make suggestions for improvement and all feedback is carefully considered.

Students can share their thoughts using the Student Voice Box which many choose. This allows them to contribute ideas and play an important role in shaping their college experience. By listening to our students, we continue to strengthen our Leigh Academy Bexley community and ensure their voices are heard.

Ms D Pieroulli   |  Head of Holkham College

A Week of “Try”-umphs: LAT Tag Rugby Tournaments

It has been an action-packed week for our rugby squads. From the Year 9s setting the pace on Tuesday to the Year 10s battling it out on Thursday, our students proved that a lack of experience is no match for raw talent and determination.

Tuesday: Year 9s Hold Their Own

The week kicked off with the Year 9 boys facing a formidable field of 13 schools. For many of our players, this was their first real taste of competitive Tag Rugby.

Despite still learning the nuances of the rules as the whistle blew, the boys adapted incredibly quickly. They played with a fantastic spirit, securing enough points to finish dead-center in the middle of the table. To hold their own against seasoned rugby schools was a brilliant achievement and a great foundation for next year.

Thursday: Year 10s Show True Grit

On Thursday, it was the Year 10s’ turn to take to the field. If Tuesday was about learning the ropes, Thursday was about pure determination.

Facing off against some of the toughest opponents in the Trust, the Year 10 boys were relentless. Their stats for the day tell the story of their work ethic:

• Wins: 5
• Draws: 1
• Losses: 3

Despite having very little prior rugby knowledge, their natural skill and “grit” were on full display. They pushed every opponent to the limit, narrowly missing out on a top-three finish by the smallest of margins. It was a performance defined by resilience and high-level sportsmanship.

Both year groups should be incredibly proud. To turn up with limited experience and compete—and win—against schools with established rugby programs shows the caliber of athletes we have here.

Mr S Jordan  |  Teacher of PE

Mobile Phones in Schools

Recent government guidance highlights how mobile phones can disrupt learning and well-being. Please take a moment to read the NSPCC’s article, “Children, Phones and Online Safety,” linked below:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/children-phones-online-safety/

Bexley Voice’s next Tea & Talk session is on 10th March.  Here is the link (for more information) regarding this session https://bexleyvoice.org.uk/calendar/item/56880755

Parents are welcome to join for all or part of the session and can come with any questions regarding SEND.