Latest News Update | 26/06/26

Leigh Academy Bexley marked International Women In Engineering Day with an exciting visit to Greenwich University, where some Year 7, 8 and 9 students experienced a day full of engaging workshops, dynamic tours, and fun activities. With only 13% of engineers being women, this trip aimed to inspire and highlight the incredible contributions women are making in the field. As a result, many students left feeling more curious and motivated about the exciting opportunities engineering can offer.

Mr E Addison  |  Deputy Head of Petworth College

Humanities

It is no secret that this week has been a scorcher. Students have been resilient and maintained their learning throughout, and we are proud! 

Students may want to stay in during the holiday period and this week, here is an idea to keep them engaged in learning for Geography (next week History): 

The Geographical Association are running a model making competition. This year the theme is ‘Fragile Environments’. 

Design and make a 3D model to showcase a fragile environment and explain why it is vulnerable, using reused or waste cardboard as the main material, supported with other recycled materials from home or school. 

A fragile environment is one that can be easily damaged by natural changes or human activity. You could choose an example close to where you live or further afield. 

Examples you could choose include: 

• small pond
• hedgerow
• small woodland
• sand dune
• salt marsh
• heathland
• moorland
• mountain environment
• mangroves
• coral reef
• desert
• polar region
• tropical rainforest.

Or you could choose another fragile environment of your own choice. Your model should clearly show: 

• The physical features of the environment (such as landforms, vegetation, climate conditions, wildlife)
• Why it is fragile (what makes it sensitive or vulnerable)
• At least two threats or challenges it faces (e.g. climate change, habitat loss, pollution, litter, trampling, development, farming, water extraction, wildfires, overfishing, tourism, resource extraction)

You may also show how the environment can be protected or managed. 

The colours you use may come from the recycled materials themselves or from coloured pencils or paints that you already have at home or school. There is no need to buy new materials to colour your model. 

You may wish to include labels on your model to help explain key features, threats and protection strategies. 

Your model should be creative, informative and clearly communicate why protecting fragile environments matters. 

How to enter 

• Create your model and take 2 photographs of it (oblique/profile/side view and aerial/bird’s eye/view from above)
• Download the Entry form. Type (or take a photograph of handwriting) up to 300 words to:
• describe your feature and how you have represented it (for example, what is your model showing and what you have made it out of)
• explain your geographic concept/idea (for example, explaining what the concept/idea is, what is happening in your local area / feature

because of this concept/idea, what your views are about it) 

Fill in parental/guardian permission form 

Fill your details in the form at the bottom of the page attaching both your entry form and parental consent forms. Submit your entry. 

Click here For more information (and link to the entry and parental consent forms)

Sparx Maths Award

Year 12 Visit to the University of Kent

This week, our Year 12 students visited the University of Kent to further their understanding of higher education and explore the wide range of courses and opportunities available to them after sixth form.

Upon arrival, students were warmly welcomed by the university ambassadors and escorted to a workshop session. During this session, they gained valuable insight into undergraduate courses, the Students’ Union, clubs and societies, and campus life.

The workshop was followed by a campus tour, where students had the opportunity to visit a variety of facilities, including those for Law, Photography and Art, and Architecture, to name just a few. The tour also highlighted the employment opportunities available on campus. Students learned that they could work in the campus cinema, the Co-op store, or become paid student ambassadors while studying at university.

After the tour, students attended an informative session on student finance. They were introduced to tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, bursaries, allowances, accommodation options, and the financial support available to university students.

Our students were highly engaged throughout the visit and asked thoughtful and meaningful questions during the Q&A sessions with the ambassadors. Their enthusiasm and curiosity demonstrated a genuine interest in their future educational pathways.

Mrs J Arthur-Amponsah   |   Deputy Head of Holkham College  |  Careers Lead