Dear Leigh Stationers’ Academy Community,
This week has been a brilliant reminder of just how much happens at Leigh Stationers’ Academy in a single week. From seeing Blood Brothers live and taking part in a technical theatre workshop at the Criterion, to Year 10 geographers applying their learning in London Docklands, pupils embraced every opportunity with maturity, curiosity and real pride. It was also a pleasure to see Equiano students begin their Duke of Edinburgh volunteering at Avery Hill Park, alongside another strong week of sporting fixtures and achievements.
Looking ahead, the Leigh Academies Trust parent survey closes on Friday, 6 February 2026, and families are encouraged to share their views. The Year 11 and Year 13 mock examinations also begin on Friday, 6 February and run through to Tuesday, 3 March 2026; warm-up sessions and targeted half-term support will be in place, and the academy is grateful for families’ continued support with revision routines and excellent attendance.
Here’s to another great week at LSA.
Best wishes,
Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal, Leigh Stationers’ Academy
LSA Parent Survey: Share Your Views
Leigh Stationers’ Academy families are invited to complete the Leigh Academies Trust parent survey, which aims to gather views on what is working well and where the academy can improve further. The survey is designed to ensure that parents and carers have a strong voice in shaping future priorities, and responses will be carefully analysed to inform next steps.
Each parent or carer is entitled to complete the survey once (there is no need to submit multiple responses for more than one child at the same academy). The survey link has been shared with families and is linked above. The survey will close on Friday, 6 February 2026.
Students Take Part in Technical Theatre Workshop at the Criterion Theatre
On Friday, 16 January 2026, 20 students from Years 9 and 10 attended a technical theatre workshop delivered by the Coram Shakespeare Theatre Company at the Criterion Theatre, where Titanique is currently being staged.
During the session, pupils gained hands-on experience using professional sound and lighting equipment, alongside exploring the creative process through costume design and directing actors to present a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The workshop provided an insightful introduction to the wide range of careers available within the theatre industry and helped students understand how productions are developed and delivered behind the scenes. The visit concluded with a Q&A with industry professionals, giving pupils the opportunity to ask questions and receive practical advice on routes into theatre and the creative industries.
Year 10 Performing Arts Students Attend Blood Brothers at the Churchill Theatre
On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Year 10 BTEC Performing Arts students attended the touring production of Blood Brothers at the Churchill Theatre, giving them the opportunity to see a set text brought to life on stage.
Ms Nielson, Coordinator of Drama, said: “Year 10 were a real credit to Leigh Stationers’ Academy throughout the trip. They showed maturity, respect and genuine enthusiasm, and it was fantastic to see how engaged they were from start to finish. Watching Blood Brothers live gave them a powerful insight into how storytelling, character and performance work on stage, and their reflections afterwards showed just how much it deepened their understanding.”
Year 10 Geographers Explore Regeneration in London Docklands
On Friday, 16 January 2026, 170 Year 10 students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy took part in a GCSE Geography field trip to the London Docklands, supporting key learning for Paper 2 (Urban Environments) and Paper 3 (Geographical Applications), with a particular focus on regeneration.
During the visit, students explored a range of locations across East London to assess the impact of redevelopment, comparing older dockland sites with regenerated areas such as Canary Wharf. Using field sketches, environmental quality surveys and structured observations, pupils considered how social, economic and environmental factors have shaped the area, and evaluated the extent to which regeneration has been successful.
Mr Jusik, Director of Humanities, said: “Year 10 were fantastic. They approached the fieldwork with maturity and curiosity, and gathered high-quality evidence that they can now draw on next year when responding to questions in their GCSE examinations.”
Duke of Edinburgh Students Begin Community Litter-Pick at Avery Hill Park
On Thursday, 22 January 2026, ten students from Equiano College began a 12-week litter-picking programme at Avery Hill Park in support of Surfers Against Sewage, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
This volunteering commitment is one of the three sections students must complete before their expedition in the summer term. During the first session, students worked around the perimeter of the park collecting a wide range of litter. Despite damp conditions, pupils approached the task with enthusiasm and enjoyed making a positive contribution to the local community.
Mr Soane, Equiano College Teacher and Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator, said: “Our pupils were fantastic, during the first session they worked around the perimeter of Avery Hill Park collecting a wide range of litter. Despite the damp conditions, they approached the task with real enthusiasm and were proud to make a positive contribution to the local community. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a hugely valuable experience, helping students build confidence, resilience and a strong sense of responsibility as they prepare for their expedition later this year.”
Mock Examinations: Timetables, Revision and Support
The Year 11 and Year 13 mock examination series will run from Friday, 6 February 2026, until Tuesday, 3 March 2026. Students have received their mock exam timetable this week, outlining the examinations they will sit each day and the timings. Please note that the mock exams straddle the February half-term break; the revision sessions planned during half term are designed to support the examinations students will sit on their return.
Students are expected to use their timetable to create a structured revision plan, prioritising the right subjects while ensuring time is allocated to revise all content. Subject revision checklists are available on each student’s Google Classroom. Parents and carers are encouraged to support students by checking and discussing revision plans at home. The academy’s KS4 revision website also includes a wide range of subject-specific resources to support independent revision.
Consistent attendance is essential during the mock examination period, and families are asked to ensure students attend school every day. Students will also receive details of warm-up sessions ahead of each examination. These sessions form a key part of preparation, providing important guidance on the papers, timings and exam technique, and students are expected to attend.
Parents and carers are also encouraged to review Ofqual’s guidance for exams for parents and students. Any questions should be directed to Mr Flower.
February Half-Term Revision Sessions
Students will receive a timetable in Week five (Monday, 2 February 2026) outlining any targeted half-term sessions they have been selected to attend. Please note that only targeted students should attend these sessions, as places are allocated based on identified gaps in knowledge.
| Monday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:30-10:30 | English | Spanish | VCERT Health & Fitness GCSE PE | |
| 11:00-13:00 | Geography History | Art DT | ||
| 13:30-15:30 | Business | Art |
Weekly Sports Update: Strong Performances Across Multiple Competitions
Leigh Stationers’ Academy teams have been in action across a busy week of fixtures and tournaments, with pupils demonstrating commitment, teamwork and resilience across a range of competitions. Mr Judd praised the achievement of the Under 12 boys reaching the national last 32, describing it as “a fantastic achievement and a real credit to the boys”.
| Fixture | Result | Scorers / Shooters | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| U13B Kent Cup Semi Final vs Ravens Wood | Lost 6–2 | Stanley, Matthew | Uyiosa |
| U15 vs Woolwich Poly | Lost 3–2 (AET) | Harry | Callum |
| LAT 5-a-side Tournament (Girls) | 2–0 vs Blackheath 2–0 vs Wilmington 2–0 vs Mascalls 9–0 vs UTC 9–0 vs Tonbridge 4–0 vs Minster 4–0 vs Bexley 3–1 (Final) vs Hundred of Hoo | All players (multiple goals) | All of the girls (photos below) |
| U12A National Cup (ESFA) Round 6 vs Trinity School | Lost 5–0 | — | Dade |
| U16 Blackheath Cup vs John Roan | Won 11–0 | Frankie, Rom, John, Seb, Ayden, Vir | Ayden |
Personal Development Updates
PSHE Update: Supporting Personal Development Across Years 7-13
In Module 3, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education at Leigh Stationers’ Academy will focus on age-appropriate themes that support students’ well-being, personal growth, and preparation for life beyond the classroom. Each session is designed to encourage collaboration, critical thinking and skill development.
| This Week | Next Week | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | What are healthy relationships? | What are boundaries and why are they important? |
| Year 8 | How can I communicate positively? | How can we maintain a healthy family relationship? |
| Year 9 | What does a healthy intimate relationship look like? | How can I identify negative influences within a relationship? |
| Year 10 | What do healthy online relationships look and feel like? | What is sexual harassment? |
| Year 11 | How do I stay safe in my local community? | Effective Revision Strategies |
| Year 12 | How do I build lifelong connections? | How do I identify a catfish? |
| Year 13 | How do I stay safe whilst travelling? | Effective Revision Strategies |
Careers Education: Weekly Information, Advice & Guidance
This week’s Careers Newsletter provides a focus on technology, healthcare, armed forces careers, and a range of practical work experience opportunities for students.
- Technology & Engineering Opportunities: Students can take part in Google virtual briefings for different year groups, attend an IBM application masterclass for technology and innovation apprenticeships, and explore apprenticeship programmes with BAE Systems working on next-generation engineering projects.
- Armed Forces & Public Service: The newsletter highlights a British Army webinar showcasing over 40 apprenticeship routes, national recruitment for the Royal Military Police with recognised qualifications, and the latest Soldier Magazine featuring modern military roles.
- Work Experience & Career Exploration: Opportunities include British Airways work experience, GP work experience guidance from the Royal College of General Practitioners, a virtual accountancy experience with BDO, and a new series of creative career talks launching in February.
Parents and carers are encouraged to read the newsletter with their child. Further support is available via careers@stationers.latrust.org.uk
Click HERE to read this week’s Careers Newsletter
Career Exploration Series: Students Learn About Banking and Finance Careers
On Friday, 16 January 2026, over 50 students attended the Career Exploration Series – Banking and Finance session. The talk was led by Dan Ankah, Team Head – Talent Acquisition at SMBC, who provided an overview of front office roles, routes into the sector and the key skills needed to succeed in global financial services. Students also heard from Laila Kazmi, who is currently completing a student placement with SMBC. Laila shared her experiences of working in the bank, explained how she successfully navigated the intake assessment process, and took part in a Q&A, offering a relatable perspective on early career opportunities.
Career Exploration Series: British Army Talk
Students interested in careers in the British Army are invited to the next Career Exploration Series session on Monday, 27 January 2026, 10:30–11:30 (Early Lunch Session). Led by WO2 Ray McCaughey, Engagement Warrant Officer, the session will explore Army pathways, including apprenticeships and specialist roles, with time for student questions.
Spaces are limited. Parents and carers must register in advance using this link, and the academy will confirm places with students.
