Latest News Update | 24/04/26

Humanities – History

This week it was Archaeological Week at Lesnes Abbey, where DigVentures (in association with sponsor, The National Lottery Heritage Fund) hosted a community archaeological dig. 

With special thanks to Mrs Turner, 30 of our students were chosen to attend. 

It was a fantastic experience, where students had the opportunity to get their hands dirty and managed to discover; some worked flint, glazed medieval tiles, and roof tiles!

The volunteers that were working alongside the students mentioned that ‘the students of Leigh Academy Bexley were a pleasure to work with’.  Also the local historian and Chair of Friends of Lesnes Abbey & Wood gave the students a tour of the abbey and woods.

Supporting Positive Relationships: Workshops for Years 9 and 10 

On Friday 17th April, students in Years 9 and 10 took part in engaging workshops delivered by Talk Consent, who work with schools across the UK to support young people in understanding relationships, consent, and online safety.

What did students explore?

The workshops were tailored to each year group:

• Year 9 explored online relationships, including how to stay safe on social media, recognise pressure, and understand consent in digital situations. Students thought carefully about the risks of sharing images and how to make positive, informed choices.

• Year 10 focused on what healthy relationships look like, how to spot early warning signs of controlling or unhealthy behaviour, and how to respond to difficult situations – both for themselves and when supporting a friend.

What were the sessions like?

Students took part in interactive discussions and worked through realistic scenarios, helping them to think about behaviour, choices, and consequences in a safe and supportive environment. They were encouraged to share ideas and perspectives, while understanding that they were never expected to discuss personal experiences.

We were particularly pleased with how thoughtfully many students engaged with these important topics, showing maturity and respect throughout.

Why do we prioritise this?

We know that young people are navigating increasingly complex social and online environments. Giving students the knowledge, language, and confidence to recognise positive relationships – and to respond when something doesn’t feel right – is a key part of keeping them safe and supporting their wellbeing.

We value working in partnership with families on these important conversations and encourage you to continue discussing these themes at home.

If you have any questions about the workshops or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

Mrs S Wilson  |  Coordinator of Learning PSHE

Right to Choose Pathway for ADHD and ASD assessment/diagnosis

Many parents have contacted the SEND Team requesting information around the Right to Choose pathway. 

We have compiled a list of links and useful information that should better inform parents in making their decisions. 

Right to choose advice from National Autistic Society:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/how-to-request-an-autism-assessment

Bexley Local Offer information:

https://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Page/41137

Getting a diagnosis – advice from Bexley Local Offer: Wait times through Oxleas/Acorns is approx 3.5 years.

https://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Page/14896

Providers:

https://www.theowl.org/nhs-right-to-choose/

https://healios.org.uk/adults/right-to-choose/

RTC Psicon- Provider for Bexley/Dartford

Should you wish to discuss the Right to Choose Pathway, please contact your GP and YOU will need to suggest a provider you wish to go through the process with. School will then support by completing any necessary paperwork that is usually sent electronically to the SEND Team. 

If you would like to talk to the SEND Team to decide if this is the right course for your child then please email sendco@bexley.latrust.org.uk

Bexley Voice SEND Health Focus Day – Neurodiversity & Mental Health

Further information can be found here: https://bexleyvoice.org.uk/calendar/item/59290611

Student led assembly – Community Languages

This week, our school community came together for a student-led assembly focused on celebrating our diverse community and the many languages spoken at Leigh Academy Bexley. The session was a powerful reminder that every voice matters and provided an opportunity for us all to reflect on how fortunate we are to belong to such a vibrant and multicultural environment.

The assembly was brought to life by the impressive contributions of our students, who shared their personal connections to language:

• British Sign Language: Students shared moving insights into the importance of BSL in their home. They explained how it allows for communication with deaf parents and even shared the “superpower” benefits of signing, such as communicating across loud spaces and improving concentration skills.
• Multilingual Perspectives: We heard from students about how being bilingual wires their brains for better problem-solving and allows them to maintain deep connections with family and traditions across the globe, from Lithuania to Italy and France.
• Creative Expressions: The assembly featured beautiful linguistic performances, including a poem in Italian and a poem in Russian, showcasing the artistic richness of our community.

Beyond individual connections, the assembly highlighted the tangible benefits of learning in a diverse setting:

• Cognitive Growth: Diverse classrooms lead to improved cognitive development and enhanced critical thinking skills.
• Deeper Thinking: Exposure to different perspectives encourages pupils to think more deeply and critically about the world around them.
• Expanded Perspectives: Students were challenged to reflect on their own social circles; if our friends all speak the same language and celebrate the same holidays, we miss out on some of the best perspectives our school has to offer.

The session concluded with a call to action for students to be Open-Minded and Communicators, attributes central to our academy’s values. Students were encouraged to start conversations with those whose “home” might look or sound different from their own, fostering a culture where diversity is not just recognised, but celebrated as a collective strength.

Here are some contributions from our students who led the assembly about how they feel to be part of our wonderful, diverse school community.

Saliou N (Year 11)

“Faire partie d’une communauté scolaire diverse me permet de me connecter avec des personnes de différentes cultures et origines. Je parle anglais, français, italien et wolof, ce qui me permet de communiquer avec plus de personnes et de comprendre différentes perspectives. Cela me permet aussi de rester connecté à mes racines et à mon identité. La diversité rend notre école plus forte et plus ouverte d’esprit.”

(Being part of a diverse school community helps me connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I speak English, French, Italian and Wolof, which allows me to communicate with more people and understand different perspectives. It also keeps me connected to my roots and my identity. Diversity makes our school stronger and more open-minded.)

Ana J (Year 11)

“Being a part of my school’s diverse community has taught me to recognise and celebrate different cultures, while also having the opportunity to spread more awareness of mine. I do British Sign Language, which gives me the opportunity to teach others the importance of it, in addition to my personal gain of improving my cognitive skills.”

Mrs H Bateson  |  Lead Practitioner MFL

Lego Robotics Workshop

This week, the Royal Air Force (RAF) conducted a Lego Robotics workshop for all Year 9 students. As part of their Inspiring STEM careers programme they want to see all young people continue studying STEM subjects to open up the opportunities for exciting and rewarding careers. That’s why they visit schools and communities around the UK and overseas to run hands-on activities and competitions with school students.  It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore the fields of computing, engineering, and construction. 

During the workshop, students built their own LEGO carts from scratch, using essential parts to race against each other. They were also taught how to code their carts to move at specific speeds. The main goal of this session was to introduce students to a broader curriculum as they consider their options for Year 10. 

At the end of each session, students expressed their excitement about the experience, with one student saying, “I am seriously going to consider a career in engineering now.” 

I would like to extend my thanks to George, Jo, and Phil from the RAF for running these informative sessions over two days.

Mr E Addison  |  Deputy Head of Petworth College & STEM Lead

Year 10 Geography Fieldwork Trip

Year 10 students visited Reculver Bay on the 23rd and 24th of April as part of their Coastal Fieldwork unit for GCSE Geography. Students used this time effectively to survey the profile of the beach and look at coastal defence and management strategies, complementing what they had learnt in class. The trip was supported by our Geography LAT advisor, Mrs Milne, who demonstrated how to use the equipment and ensured that data was correctly collected. Students had beautiful weather and are looking forward to applying their newly acquired understanding of the coastal landscape to their upcoming mock exams.

A huge thank you to Miss Wilson, Miss Eves, Mr Wardzynski, Mrs Mochnacova, Ms Mann, Mrs Sparrow and Miss Brown for a successful trip! 

Miss K Scott  |  Coordinator of Learning Humanities