Dear Parents/Carers,
As we come to the end of this academic year, I want to take this opportunity to say how excited we are to welcome your child to Leigh Stationers’ Academy in September. Starting secondary school is a significant milestone, and we look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
This letter contains important information about the start of Module 1, as well as details regarding Chromebooks, uniform, and our Year 7 residential trip to Marchants Hill in Surrey.
A Snapshot of 2024/25
This has been a hugely positive year for the academy. We’ve focused on raising expectations and creating a calm, purposeful environment in which students can thrive. Attendance has improved significantly, behaviour has strengthened, and over 750 students were recognised through our rewards programme with trips to Vue Cinema, the O2 Arena and Thorpe Park.
The confidence families continue to show in the academy is clear: we remained significantly oversubscribed for Year 7, with over 375 first-choice applications for just 270 places. Our Sixth Form also continues to grow, with over 180 students attending this year’s induction day.
Enrichment plays a big part in life at LSA. With over 30 weekly clubs and a packed calendar of trips and visits, including PGL for Year 7, a CCF leadership camp, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, Disneyland Paris, and a cultural visit to New York, with many more planned for next year.
Our Performing Arts and Sports programmes are also thriving. This year’s School of Rock production and our seasonal concerts showcased impressive musical talent across the school. Meanwhile, our inter-college competitions and Sports Day brought the school community together, with Caxton College winning Sports Day for the first time in 13 years.
We are proud of the culture of ambition, inclusion and opportunity that continues to grow at Leigh Stationers’ Academy, and we are excited that your child will be joining us on this journey.
Start of Module (Term) Arrangements
The full list of term dates for the 2025/26 academic year can be found here.
- Monday, 1 September 2025 at 08:30 – Year 7 and Year 12 students return
- Tuesday, 2 September 2025 at 08:30 – All other year groups return
The academy site will open from 08:00 on Monday, 1 September 2025, and we ask that students arrive no later than 08:30, when the school day will formally begin. Year 7 students will start their first day with a welcome assembly, setting the tone for the year ahead and introducing them to key members of staff.
Following this, students will spend a double period with their form tutor. This time is designed to help them settle in, get to know their tutor group, familiarise themselves with academy routines, and take part in a guided tour of the school.
During the course of the day, all Year 7 students will attend their first English and mathematics lessons, ensuring a strong academic start from day one.
In the final period, students will take part in an enrichment taster session. We expect all Year 7 pupils to participate in at least one extra-curricular club during the year, and this taster provides a valuable opportunity for them to explore their interests and try something new.
To support this, we invite you to submit your child’s enrichment preferences in advance via the following Google Form. The deadline for submitting preferences is Wednesday, 27 August 2025 While we will do our best to allocate students to one of their chosen options, please note that places are limited for each session and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
We will provide all Year 7 pupils with lunch on their first day; however, they are welcome to bring a packed lunch if they prefer. This allows flexibility while fingerprint registration and ParentPay setup are completed. If you have any questions about catering or dietary needs, please contact Ms Barnes, Assistant Principal, at: eleanor.barnes@leighstationers.org.uk.
Chromebooks
As previously communicated, all students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy are expected to have access to a Chromebook for use in lessons and at home. Communications from our provider, Freedom Tech, have already been sent to families with details of how to sign up via our dedicated Year 7 portal. You can access the portal using the following link: Leigh Stationers’ Academy Year 7 Portal. We are currently expecting the delivery of Chromebooks to arrive during the summer holiday. We will be in touch nearer the time to confirm collection arrangements, which we hope will take place on Friday, 29 August 2025.
Uniform
Leigh Stationers’ Academy works with two approved school uniform suppliers to give families greater choice and flexibility. Please ensure you place your order in good time to avoid any delays before the start of term.
| JK Clothing | Brigade |
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To support all students in being fully prepared for learning each day, we are also introducing the ‘Terrific 10’ – a checklist of essential daily equipment. The full list is shown on the poster below. Please can we ask all parents and carers to support us in ensuring that students arrive at school each day with the correct equipment. Your support helps us to maintain high standards and ensures every child is ready to learn.
PGL Trip – Marchants Hill in Surrey
As previously communicated, we are pleased to offer all Year 7 students the opportunity to take part in our residential trip to Marchants Hill in Surrey, taking place from Friday, 17 October to Sunday, 19 October 2025. This trip forms a key part of our transition and enrichment programme, helping students to build confidence, try new activities, and form strong relationships with their peers and staff.
Trip Overview & Payment Schedule
- Dates: Friday, 17 October – Sunday, 19 October 2025
- Location: Marchants Hill, Surrey
- Cost: £225 (includes coach transport, full-board accommodation, and all activities)
- Activities include: Abseiling, Aeroball, Archery, Axe Throwing, Climbing, Fencing, Giant Paddle Boarding, Giant Swing, Jacob’s Ladder, Raft Building
- Remaining Balance: Due by Friday, 3 October 2025
If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, financial support may be available. Please contact Ms Barnes, Assistant Principal, with any queries or to discuss support options: eleanor.barnes@stationers.latrust.org.uk. We strongly encourage all Year 7 students to attend, as this trip is a fantastic opportunity to build friendships, develop independence, and make lasting memories early in the school year.
Start of Term Webinar
Before the start of the new academic year, we will be holding a Parent/Carer Start of Term Webinar at 16:00 on Thursday, 28 August 2025. The session will take place via YouTube Live, and a recording will be available immediately afterwards for those unable to attend live.
The purpose of the webinar is to walk through the key start-of-term arrangements for all pupils, ensuring everyone is fully prepared for a smooth and successful return to school. We warmly encourage all parents and carers to watch the webinar to stay informed and confident about the first few days of term.
We are committed to keeping parents and carers well-informed and up to date throughout the year. The main source of information is the Latest News page on our academy website, where we publish a set of weekly updates every Friday. These updates include important reminders, upcoming events, and celebrations of pupil achievement. If you need to get in touch with someone at the academy regarding your child, the best point of contact is their College Team. Please use the relevant email address below to contact your child’s College directly:
- Angelou College: angelou@leighstationers.org.uk
- Caxton College: caxton@leighstationers.org.uk
- Hansard College: hansard@leighstationers.org.uk
- Equiano College: equiano@leighstationers.org.uk
Thank you once again for your support. I hope you and your family have a restful and enjoyable summer, and I very much look forward to welcoming your child to Leigh Stationers’ Academy in September as they begin their exciting journey with us.
Best wishes,
Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal
