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Dear Leigh Academy Bexley Community,
This week we have welcomed over 100 families to the academy to witness ‘live’ learning. Our fully-booked open mornings will continue twice a week until the end of the module so that prospective pupils and their families can make informed choices about the next step of their education journey. The question and answer sessions have been a valuable insight both for families and for us as an academy.
Last week, Simon Beamish (LAT CEO) shared a lovely thank-you letter from Dr Vanessa Ogden at the DfE following her visit to LABex. Please click here if you would like to read it. We were also pleased to see the visit featured on the front page of the Department for Education London Regional Director Newsletter for this month. She wrote:
My first visit to London schools was on 10 September 2026 and was to Leigh Academy Bexley, where I saw the result of the passion and commitment of the headteacher John Dixon and his team, delivering a secure, stable and caring environment, delivering a high-quality education, in the context of a school improvement journey that is inspiring. I was struck by John’s deep investment in ‘place’ and the families he serves. In school turnaround, you have to do ‘everything, everywhere, all at once’ in your leadership – there are so many priorities at the same time, from estates to safeguarding to curriculum and pastoral care. A tribute to John and his team – and all those doing this in London schools day in and day out – because every moment matters for children.
How nice!
Please enjoy this week’s bulletin and 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
A Great Start to the year for Leigh Academy Bexley Sixth Form
Leigh Academy Bexley Sixth Form students recently benefited from an inspiring assembly led by Dr Bains, a Leigh Academy Bexley alumnus, followed by an engaging workshop delivered by Investment 20/20.
Inspiring Futures Through Sport with Dr Bains
Dr Bains, from the University of Greenwich, returned to Leigh Academy Bexley to deliver an inspiring assembly focused on PE, Sport and the range of opportunities available within the sector.
Students explored the courses available, potential career pathways and different routes into higher education. Dr Bains also highlighted that students who do not initially meet standard entry requirements may still have alternative routes available, including Clearing, and that individual circumstances can sometimes be considered when universities make admissions decisions.
The session encouraged students to think more broadly about sport and its wider impact on society. Images and examples, including a wheelchair dancer and an all-female football team, were used to explore themes such as gender equality, disability and inclusion in sport.
Students were also introduced to a range of careers linked to PE and Sport, highlighting that the subject can lead to many different pathways beyond traditional sporting careers.
As a Leigh Academy Bexley alumnus, Dr Bains was also a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work, perseverance and making the most of the opportunities available to you. Her journey demonstrated the importance of using your experiences and opportunities to make a positive impact.
Year 13 Explore Investment Management with Investment 20/20
Our Year 13 students have also begun the first of a series of planned workshops with Investment 20/20, supporting them as they prepare to make informed decisions about their next steps beyond Sixth Form.
The bespoke workshop explored investment management and the recruitment process, giving students an insight into areas including funds, corporate pathways and digital careers within investment management.
We were particularly pleased to welcome Megan and Gracie, who shared their personal apprenticeship journeys and explained what influenced their decision to pursue an apprenticeship pathway. Their experiences provided students with a valuable perspective on an alternative route into the investment sector.
Students were highly engaged throughout the session, asking questions and showing genuine interest in learning more about the opportunities available through Investment 20/20.
One student commented:
“This was a very good workshop. Can we have Charlotte’s email so we can contact her?”
The enthusiasm and questions from students demonstrated the value of providing direct access to professionals and individuals who can share their own experiences of different career pathways.
Leigh Academy Bexley has an ongoing partnership with Investment 20/20, and we look forward to this becoming a regular feature of our Sixth Form enrichment and careers programme.
A huge thank you to Dr Bains, Charlotte, Megan and Gracie for providing our students with another valuable perspective on their future pathways and helping them explore opportunities beyond the traditional routes.
Leigh Academy Bexley Sixth Form Represents the Academy at St Paul’s Academy Careers Fair
Leigh Academy Bexley was invited to attend St Paul’s Academy Careers Fair to showcase our Sixth Form provision and encourage students, parents and carers to visit our upcoming Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 12 November 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Our Sixth Form students who volunteered to represent the academy were professional, proactive and engaging throughout the event. They articulated the values and ethos of Leigh Academy Bexley Sixth Form with confidence, demonstrating a strong understanding of what our provision offers.
Our students were fully prepared to answer questions about the courses currently available, as well as potential courses planned for the next academic year. They also spoke enthusiastically about the personal development opportunities, workshops they had attended and upcoming careers trips, providing visitors with a valuable insight into the wider Sixth Form experience.
Their confidence, knowledge and professionalism made a positive impression and demonstrated their pride in representing the academy. They were excellent ambassadors for Leigh Academy Bexley, showcasing not only our academic offer but also our commitment to personal development, careers education and preparing students for their future pathways.
This was a true testament to the high standards our Sixth Form students uphold and their ability to embody and promote the values of Leigh Academy Bexley. We are incredibly proud of the way they represented our Sixth Form and contributed to raising its profile within the local community.
Mrs Arthur-Amponsah | Deputy Head of Woburn College
Defying Gravity in the West End!
What a Wicked evening!
On Thursday 1st October, a group of 44 students and staff headed to London’s West End for a truly magical theatre experience: the spectacular musical Wicked!
From the moment the curtain rose, we were transported to the wonderful world of Oz, with its dazzling costumes, incredible staging, unforgettable songs and breathtaking performances. There was plenty of laughter, a little emotion and, of course, the show-stopping moment when Elphaba took to the skies to Defy Gravity!
For our students, the trip was particularly special as it brought to life the characters, relationships and themes they have been exploring in their English lessons. Seeing Elphaba and Glinda’s complicated friendship unfold on stage offered a fantastic opportunity to think about identity, prejudice, friendship and the importance of challenging expectations.
Our students were a credit to the academy, and it was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and excitement throughout the evening.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the trip possible. We returned with wonderful memories, songs stuck in our heads and a reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is defy gravity!
Mrs Wilson | Coordinator of Learning PSHE | Teacher of English
Netball Season Launches with Grit and Determination at Leigh Academies Trust Tournaments
The netball season kicked off in full swing over the past few weeks as our Year 8, 9, and 10 teams headed to Leigh Academy Mascalls to represent us at the Leigh Academies Trust tournaments.
Originally scheduled for the end of last academic year, the year 8 event had been postponed due to the summer heatwave—making our players all the more eager to finally hit the court!
Year 8: Stepping Up Under Pressure
On Monday 15th September, our Year 8 squad set off with just one practice session under their belts. Despite a few natural pre-match jitters and a tough opening loss, the team showed tremendous resilience. Across seven hard-fought fixtures, the girls secured 2 wins and 2 draws (losing 3), placing a respectable 11th overall out of 16 schools.
- Standout Performances:
- Poppy was a powerhouse at Centre, gaining confidence with every match and driving the ball brilliantly from defense to attack.
- Ruby G excelled as GS/GA, creating space in the circle and sinking some fantastic goals.
With upcoming fixtures already lined up against Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy and Leigh Academy Halley, the squad is primed for a fantastic year of growth ahead!
Year 9: Resilience and Team Spirit
Tuesday 22nd September saw our Year 9 team take to the court for their first competitive tournament in over a year. After shaking off some initial rustiness in a 3-0 loss to Leigh Academy Halley, the girls bounced back with a dominant 5-0 victory over UTC.
Fighting through bright sunshine, the team finished with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses, eventually wrapping up tied for 11th place overall after a tight playoff run.
- Standout Performances:
- Roxy showcased remarkable confidence and skill. (Luckily, she also managed to resist her signature indoor diving catches on the hard outdoor courts, saving our first aid kit!)
- Melanie brought sharp court awareness to the attacking end, finding space effortlessly to net key goals.
- Barakah proved to be an absolute trooper—playing on through a cut hand to deliver relentless defensive work.
Year 10: Fighting Back to Top 8
Our Year 10 squad rounded off the module’s tournament slate with a thrilling campaign defined by pure grit. Facing early setback losses against tough opponents, the team rallied following a mid-tournament team talk to launch an inspiring comeback.
They bounced back to beat Leigh Academy Wilmington 2-0, drew 3-3 with Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, and pulled off a stunning 6-6 draw against group leaders Leigh Academy Halley. They carried that momentum straight into a 4-2 win against Leigh Academy Ebbsfleet.
In the final playoff battle for 7th and 8th place overall, the squad fell 4-1 to Leigh Academy Blackheath in a physical contest under strict official umpiring, ultimately finishing 8th overall.
- Standout Performances:
- Shooting trio Elouise, Mya, and Lola worked seamlessly together regardless of the rotation, maximizing shooting opportunities and keeping the pressure on every opponent.
Looking Ahead
Every single player represented the academy with pride, passion, and sportsmanship across all three tournaments. The technical progress these teams have made since Year 7 is tremendous, and we look forward to building on these performances throughout the friendly fixtures planned for the rest of the year.
A huge well done to all involved!
Mrs S Beswick | Coordinator of Learning – PE
Theatre Trip to The Old Vic
Our Year 10 Drama students enjoyed their first theatre trip to The Old Vic to see Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves, as part of their Btec Tech Award in Performing Arts.
It was a fantastic introduction to live theatre and a brilliant opportunity for students to see professional acting, staging and comic timing in action. The play follows three married couples whose lives become increasingly tangled through a series of lies, misunderstandings and disastrous dinner parties.
One of the most impressive aspects of the production was the staging. Two different homes existed within the same performance space, with scenes from both households overlapping. This gave students an excellent example of how space, movement, timing and audience focus can be used creatively to tell a story.
The cast demonstrated exceptional comic timing, physicality and characterisation, showing our students just how much precision is required to make comedy appear effortless. The escalating chaos provided plenty of laughs, but also gave students the opportunity to consider how relationships, status and social class can be explored through performance.
For many of our Year 10s, this was their first experience of seeing a professional theatre production, making the visit particularly special. They were a credit to the school and engaged brilliantly with the performance.
A thoroughly enjoyable trip and, hopefully, the first of many visits to the theatre for this group!
Mrs H Forbes-Bareham | Coordinator of Learning Visual and Performing Arts
New Cucina Menu
Cucina will be launching their Winter menu in our restaurant from the start of module 2. Click on the link below to take a look below at the new offer:
Winter menuKey Stage 3 Esports Club: Successful 2026–2027 Launch
The Computer Science Department is delighted to announce the official launch of the Key Stage 3 Esports Club for the 2026–2027 academic year. This new initiative offers students a unique platform to develop key digital competencies, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills in a structured setting.
The club launch drew strong interest and high engagement. Currently we are oversubscribed with 25+ members! Students demonstrated outstanding teamwork and sportsmanship throughout, collaborating seamlessly in small teams. The club has established an encouraging, energetic environment, with students showing genuine enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead.
Esports (electronic sports) involves organised, competitive video gaming. Through individual and team-based play, students develop core skills in communication, strategic planning, and digital literacy.
Ms Sutherland | Coordinator of Learning Computing
