Latest News Update | 27 February

Safer Internet Week 2026

In the last module, our students explored the important topic of digital safety. As part of Safer Internet Week 2026, students engaged with this year’s focus on the safe and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, an area that is increasingly relevant in today’s world. AI is now embedded in many aspects of daily life, from social media platforms to workplaces, providing tools that can be incredibly useful in supporting everyday tasks. We are also seeing a growing movement of people using AI to assist with aspects of their jobs and learning. However, alongside the many benefits this technology offers, it is equally important to consider how it is being used and to what extent. Having open discussions with young people about using AI responsibly, in ways that benefit rather than hinder them in the long term, is essential.

Students were highly engaged, and we had some incredibly thoughtful discussions across all year groups. They were enthusiastic and reflective when considering their own use of AI and the responsibilities that come with it. We explored how AI can be used positively as a learning tool, for example, to help explain challenging concepts, generate ideas or present information in different ways, while emphasising that it should never replace their own thinking or effort. We were particularly impressed by how upbeat, mature and engaged students were when discussing both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with new technologies.

Parents and carers can support this learning at home by continuing these conversations. Encourage your child to talk about how they use AI and other digital tools for schoolwork, discuss the importance of protecting personal information and reinforce the message that digital tools should support learning rather than do the work for them. Setting clear expectations around technology use and modelling positive digital habits can further help.

We were also pleased to host a parent workshop on 23.2.25, where we explored practical strategies for supporting children with safe and responsible AI use at home. Thank you to those who were able to attend. Due to the positive feedback, we are looking to run this workshop again in the Summer Term, and we will share further details soon for any parents and carers who would like to join us to find out more about how children develop safe, balanced and responsible online behaviours. 

Miss M Wilson  |  Teacher of Computer Science

SEND Interventions

At the Academy, we offer a plethora of interventions specifically designed to support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our offer is dynamic, running throughout the academic year and adapting to the specific profiles of our learners.

Communication, Interaction & Regulation

For students with Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we focus on building social confidence and emotional literacy:

• Lego Therapy: a collaborative intervention that develops social skills, turn-taking, and joint problem-solving.
• Speech and Language Link: Targeted sessions to improve expressive and receptive language, ensuring students can follow instructions and express their ideas clearly.
• Auditory Memory Training: Specific exercises to help students retain and process spoken information more effectively.
• Zones of Regulation: A curriculum designed to foster self-regulation and emotional control by categorizing feelings into four “zones.”

Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH)

Supporting the wellbeing of our students is a priority. For those with SEMH needs or ADHD, we provide structured spaces to process emotions:

• ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant): Tailored individual or small-group support to help students recognize, understand, and manage their emotions.
• Strengthening Minds: An intervention focused on building resilience, self-esteem, and positive decision-making.
• Sensory Circuits: A series of physical activities designed to “alert,” “organize,” and “calm” the sensory system, helping students reach a state of optimal alertness for learning.
• Counselling
• Direct work with Speech and Language Therapist support

Cognition & Learning (Literacy & Dyslexia)

We utilise industry-leading software and specialist tutoring to support students with Dyslexia and other literacy challenges:

• Lexia PowerUp: A personalized, digital program that helps students build the skills they need to decode and comprehend complex texts.
• Reading Wise: A high-impact literacy intervention that targets reading fluency and comprehension through structured, bite-sized modules.

Physical & Sensory Needs

For students requiring support with fine motor skills or physical regulation:

• Handwriting Support: Specialist sessions to improve pen grip, letter formation, and writing stamina.
• Sensory Circuit

If your child has an ILP you will be able to access their plan  and interventions via Edukey on the link you have been given. If you no longer have access to this link please email the SEND Team on sendco@bexley.latrust.org.uk

Supporting students at home with ADHD

This is guidance taken from The Contented Child.

Bexley Local Offer Events

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World Book Day at Leigh Academy Bexley

World Book Day takes place on Thursday, 5th March, and we have an incredible week of activities lined up to celebrate the joy of reading!

Pre-Event Competitions

In the lead-up to the big day, students can get creative with two major challenges:

• The Masked Reader Mask-Making Competition: Design the most mysterious literary mask.
• The Literary Crunch Competition: A chance to design your own book themed cereal.

All Week: The Traitors (Library Edition)

The library will be hosting a special book-themed edition of The Traitors every breaktime. Who can navigate the deception and claim victory for the faithful readers?

Thursday 5th March: Main Events

On World Book Day itself, the library will have the following activities taking place:

• Breakfast of Champions Book Quiz: The ultimate early-morning knowledge challenge (held before school).
• Book Character in a Jar: Can you identify which famous characters are “trapped” inside the jars?
• The Great Emoji Book Challenge: A lunchtime race to see who can decode famous book titles written entirely in emojis.

Book Tokens

Reading shouldn’t just be for one day! All students will receive their £1 World Book Day tokens during their English lessons, which can be swapped for a free World Book Day book or used as a discount at participating bookshops.

The Reading Team

Shakespeare Comes to Life for Year 8

On Monday 23rd February, our Year 8 students were treated to a high-energy workshop led by two professional actors from Shakespeare’s Globe.

This visit served as a thrilling curtain-raiser for our upcoming trip to the Globe on the 20th of March. The session focused on Romeo and Juliet, bringing the play’s iconic scenes to life through active participation rather than just observation.

Key Highlights:

• Student-Led Performance: Under the guidance of the visiting professionals, our students took centre stage to read and perform key scenes from the play.
• Expert Coaching: The actors worked alongside the students, helping them unlock the language and emotion behind the text through various performance exercises.
• Exceptional Engagement: Our Year 8s rose to the occasion with fantastic energy. The actors were particularly impressed, commenting on how polite, focused, and well-engaged our students were throughout the day.

It was a proud moment for the English department and a wonderful way to build momentum for our visit to the Globe Theatre next month!

Miss H Rafferty  |  Coordinator of Learning English

Modern Foreign Languages International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

In the MFL department, we are incredibly proud of how our Key Stage 3 students are connecting their classroom learning with real-world experiences. By comparing their own lives to those in Francophone and Spanish-speaking countries, our students are developing a deeper global perspective and a stronger sense of empathy.

A Virtual Journey to Cameroon

Our Year 7 French students recently completed their “My School Life” module with a virtual visit to a school in Cameroon. This eye-opening experience allowed them to see firsthand how education looks in a different cultural context.

Key highlights from their reflections included:

• Cultural Comparisons: Students were surprised to see classrooms without walls, where learners are exposed to the natural elements.
• Practising Empathy: The class engaged in thoughtful discussions, imagining the daily challenges and unique environment of Cameroonian students.
• Gratitude & Perspective: Despite the lack of modern resources, our students noted how happy and engaged the children in Cameroon appeared, leading to a profound sense of gratitude for their own school facilities.

It has been wonderful to see our students grow not just as linguists, but as compassionate global citizens.

Mrs H Bateson   |   Lead Practitioner MFL

Sixth Form Careers Insight with Investment 20/20

Our Year 12 students, and especially our Year 13 cohort, are currently at a very important stage as they make decisions about their future study and career pathways. Supporting them to make informed choices and develop key employability skills is a central part of our Sixth Form provision.

We were delighted to welcome representatives from Investment20/20, who delivered an engaging and informative session on what employers look for in young professionals. Students gained valuable advice on interview preparation, including the importance of first impressions, positive body language, and researching a company thoroughly before attending an interview.

Our Year 13 students were particularly keen to learn more about the opportunities available and appreciated the chance to network with Charlotte, who generously offered her time, advice and ongoing support.

We are also pleased to share that Investment20/20 is interested in establishing a link with Leigh Academy Bexley to provide future work experience opportunities. We look forward to developing this partnership further for the benefit of our students.

We are incredibly proud of how our Sixth Form students conducted themselves — they were professional, engaged and excellent ambassadors for the school.

Mrs J Arthur-Amponsah  |  Deputy Head of Holkham College