Dear Leigh Stationers’ Academy Community,
As we begin a new academic year at Leigh Stationers’ Academy, I am delighted with how our pupils have returned, ready and eager for the year ahead. Their focus, energy, and commitment have been evident across the school, and it’s wonderful to see them embracing all that this year has to offer.
Our Year 11 pupils have settled well into their morning intervention sessions, which are designed to support their preparation for the crucial months ahead. After visiting the sessions yesterday, I was incredibly impressed by how these smaller, focused groups are progressing and the dedication shown by both pupils and staff.
Our newest Year 7 pupils have also made a fantastic start. Not only do they look smart in their new uniforms, but their conduct has been exemplary, setting a strong tone for the year. They have embraced the school culture and are already making a positive impression.
Looking ahead, we have a range of important events coming up, including our Year 6 Open Evenings and Mornings, Year 7 Meet the Tutor Evening, and various college assemblies and choir sessions, which are all important opportunities for our pupils and families to engage with the academy community.
I look forward to another year of leadership, scholarship, and achievement — The LSA Way — to ensure every pupil reaches their full potential.
Best wishes,
Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal, Leigh Stationers’ Academy
Important Dates for Your Diary – Module 1
Please take note of the following key dates for your diary:
- Tuesday, 17 September 2024: Year 6 Open Evening, 16:30–19:00
- Wednesday, 18 September 2024: Year 7 Meet the Tutor Evening, 16:00–19:00
- Tuesday, 24 September 2024: Year 6 Open Morning, 09:15–11:15
- Thursday, 26 September 2024: Year 6 Open Morning, 09:15–11:15
- Thursday, 17 October 2024: Woolf Sixth Form Open Evening, 16:30–19:00
We encourage parents/carers to attend these events. Further details about each will be shared on our latest news page closer to the event dates.
Week 2 Tutor Time Arrangements
Tutor time at Leigh Stationers Academy takes place daily between 08:35 and 09:00, providing a structured start to the day and offering a variety of opportunities for student development. These sessions, totalling 2 hours and 5 minutes each week, are integral to academic and personal growth.
For Year 11 pupils, three sessions per week are dedicated to our intervention programme, designed to support pupils in their preparation for GCSEs. For Years 7-10 pupils, three weekly sessions form our PSHE programme, focusing on personal, social, health, and economic education. In addition to intervention and PSHE, pupils are also provided with the following opportunities:
- Monday: All pupils participate in a virtual student briefing, led by the Principal, Deputy Principal, and Heads of College. This session covers important messages and updates for the week ahead.
- College Assemblies: Throughout the week, pupils attend their respective college assemblies in the main hall, as follows:
- Woolf College: Monday
- Angelou College: Tuesday
- Caxton College: Wednesday
- Hansard & Equiano Colleges: Thursday
- Choirs: Additionally, tutor time is when our choirs meet, allowing pupils to nurture their musical talents:
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- Equiano Choir: Monday
- Year 8 Choir: Tuesday
- Hansard Choir: Wednesday
- Caxton Choir: Thursday
- Angelou Choir: Thursday
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Ms Collier, Head of Woolf College, shared her thoughts on the programme: “These tutor time arrangements provide a well-rounded combination of academic support, personal development, and enrichment opportunities, ensuring that all our students thrive both in and out of the classroom.”
Year 7 Meet the Tutor Evening
We are pleased to invite parents and carers to our Year 7 Meet the Tutor Evening, scheduled for Wednesday, 18 September 2024, from 16:00 to 19:00. This event offers a valuable opportunity for you to meet your child’s form tutor, discuss how they are settling into life at Leigh Stationers’ Academy, and address any questions you may have from the first few weeks of the school year.
Bookings will open next week via SchoolCloud, and detailed information on how to book will be sent directly to Year 7 parents and carers. We look forward to meeting you and discussing your child’s progress.
Year 10 Options
We hope that all Year 10 pupils are settling into their option subjects and finding the content engaging and in line with their expectations. We understand that some pupils may feel they have selected an option that isn’t the best fit and may wish to switch to another subject. Please note that all changes are subject to availability, suitability, and the restrictions previously outlined, such as the requirement to study the EBacc.
The deadline for requesting any changes to option subjects is Friday, 13 September 2024. To request an amendment, please email stephen.smith@stationers.latrust.org.uk.
For certain GCSE subjects, such as GCSE Computer Science or GCSE Physical Education, where vocational equivalents exist (e.g., BTEC Digital Information Technology or VCert Health & Fitness), departments may suggest adjustments even after the deadline.
Years 11 & 13 Intervention Programme
Our bespoke Period 6 Intervention Programme for Year 11 and Year 13 pupils will begin on Monday, 9 September 2024. These sessions are designed to close knowledge gaps and ensure students are fully prepared for their public examinations.
Parents and carers of Year 11 pupils have been sent personalised schedules detailing the session(s) their child must attend. Intervention sessions are open to all students, and a full list of available sessions can be found in the letter sent to parents and carers. Period 6 intervention sessions are a compulsory part of the curriculum for Year 11 and Year 13 pupils. Teachers carefully tailor these sessions to address areas where additional support is needed. Non-attendance will be treated in the same way as missing a regular lesson.
If your child cannot attend a Period 6 session, please notify the Academy following the usual absence procedures.
Chromebooks, Google Classrooms & Homework
This week, parents and carers of pupils in Years 7, 10, and 12 have been collecting new Chromebooks for their children. These devices play a crucial role in student learning at Leigh Stationers’ Academy, especially for accessing Google Classrooms and homework platforms like Sparx Reader, Sparx Maths, and Sparx Science.
Due to recent changes in staff and pupil email addresses, some pupils have experienced difficulties accessing their Google Classrooms and homework platforms. The IT Team has been working hard to resolve these issues, ensuring that all pupils across all year groups can access their learning materials without disruption. Please be assured that no pupil will face any form of sanction or intervention next week if they are experiencing IT-related issues. The school is committed to fully supporting all pupils during this transition.
While the vast majority of issues have been resolved, if your child is still experiencing any Chromebook-related difficulties, including with homework, please contact Mr Turran, Assistant Principal, at christopher.turan@stationers.latrust.org.uk for further assistance.
Leigh Stationers’ Academy Open Events for Year 6 Pupils
For parents of Year 6 pupils, we are pleased to announce the dates for our upcoming open mornings and open evening at Leigh Stationers Academy:
- Tuesday, 17 September 2024: Year 6 Open Evening, 16:30–19:00
- Tuesday, 24 September 2024: Year 6 Open Morning, 09:15–11:15
- Thursday, 26 September 2024: Year 6 Open Morning, 09:15–11:15
To book a place on our open mornings, please click here. To book a place for our open evening, click here. Please note that each booking is limited to a maximum of three guests.
Additionally, there is no on-site parking available for parents or carers. We kindly ask that you plan your journey and, if driving, look for street parking nearby. We look forward to welcoming you to Leigh Stationers Academy!
Our College Model at Leigh Stationers’ Academy
At Leigh Stationers’ Academy, each of our pupils belongs to a ‘college,’ forming a strong community within the larger school environment. Each college consists of approximately 90 pupils per year group, ensuring that every pupil is known as an individual.
In alignment with our recent transition to Leigh Stationers’ Academy, we are pleased to announce that our colleges have been renamed to honour influential figures who have made significant contributions to literature or have a close connection to The Stationers’ Company. These names, selected by our students, reflect our commitment to celebrating literature and the important role the Stationers’ Company has played in advancing the written word.
Our colleges are named as follows:
- Angelou College – Named after Maya Angelou, celebrated for her autobiographical works and poetry, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Her writings empowered readers and championed social justice and racial equality.
- Caxton College – Named after William Caxton, who introduced the printing press to England and was the first English retailer of printed books. Caxton’s contributions were pivotal in advancing the spread of literature and ideas.
- Hansard College – Named after Luke Hansard, renowned for printing the official reports of parliamentary debates, known as Hansard, which improved the accuracy and accessibility of parliamentary information.
- Woolf College – Named after Virginia Woolf, recognised for her experimental writing style and profound exploration of human consciousness and gender roles. Woolf’s work continues to challenge and inspire readers.
- Equiano College – Named after Olaudah Equiano, a former enslaved person who bought his freedom and became a prominent abolitionist and writer. His autobiography provided powerful insights into the transatlantic slave trade and contributed to the abolitionist movement.
