Dear Leigh Stationers’ Academy Community,
This has been a week that captures the best of life at Leigh Stationers’ Academy. Our Year 12 Parents’ Evening saw over 550 appointments booked and attended, reflecting the strong partnership between home and school. Christmas Jumper Day brought real joy to the site and, importantly, raised over £1,000 for Save the Children – a powerful example of our community looking beyond itself to support others. I am also pleased to recognise the promotion of our School Staff Instructor, Mr George Heine, to the rank of Lieutenant, marking his outstanding contribution to the CCF and the opportunities it provides for our young people.
We have a busy final week of Module 2, with Christmas Extravaganza performances on Tuesday and Thursday, Bronze Award trips on Wednesday and Thursday, and a much-needed early finish on Friday. Here’s to an excellent end to the module.
Best wishes,
Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal, Leigh Stationers’ Academy
End-of-Module 2 Arrangements
As the final week of Module 2 approaches, parents and carers are reminded that the last day of the module, Friday, 19 December 2025, will be a half-day, with pupils finishing at 12:35. Module 3 will begin on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, at 08:30 for all pupils. A complete list of term dates is available here.
Parents’ Evenings at Leigh Stationers’ Academy
Year 12 Parents’ Evening Success
On Wednesday, 10 December 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy welcomed Year 12 parents and carers to the first Sixth Form parents’ evening of the academic year. More than 550 appointments were booked and attended, giving families the opportunity to discuss students’ progress, next steps and support in the run-up to mock examinations and final assessments.
Ms Eve Collier, Head of Woolf College, commented: “It was fantastic to see so many parents and carers in attendance. Their continued engagement makes a real difference to our students’ confidence, independence and success in the Sixth Form.”
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
The Year 11 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. Bookings will go live on Friday, 19 December 2025 at 19:00 and will close on Tuesday, 6 January 2026 at 12:00.
Year 13 Parents’ Evening
The Year 13 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday, 14 January 2026. Bookings will go live on Friday, 2 January 2026 at 19:00 and will close on Tuesday, 13 January 2026 at 12:00.
Further parents’ evening dates are as follows:
- Year 9 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday, 18 March 2026
- Year 10 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday, 15 April 2026
- Year 7 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday, 8 July 2026
Appointments can be made via the SchoolCloud booking system, with full instructions available on the academy’s website. For any assistance or further information, parents and carers are asked to contact Gabrielle Holland at gabrielle.holland@stationers.latrust.org.uk
Christmas Jumper Day Raises Over £1,000 for Save the Children
On Thursday, 11 December 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy took part in the national Christmas Jumper Day in support of Save the Children. Students and staff wore a wide range of festive jumpers and outfits, helping to raise over £1,000 for the charity. Mr Sparks, Principal, said: “Christmas Jumper Day is always a highlight of the year. It was wonderful to see our community come together for such an important cause, and there were some fantastic jumpers and full costumes on display – particularly from the maths team. I am proud of the generosity and spirit shown by our students and staff.”
Promotion for School Staff Instructor, Lieutenant Heine
School Staff Instructor Mr George Heine has been promoted by the Royal Marines to the rank of Lieutenant. Commenting on the promotion, Major Wilson said: “It is fitting recognition of the commitment and dedication he has shown to the CCF at Leigh Stationers’ Academy that George has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Well done, and our best wishes for the future in his role as our SSI.”
Christmas Extravaganza: Limited Tickets Remaining
Leigh Stationers’ Academy will host its Christmas Extravaganza on Tuesday, 16 December and Thursday, 18 December 2025, from 18:00 to 20:00 on the academy site. The event will showcase pupil performances as part of the end-of-term celebrations.
Tickets are free of charge and available via Eventbrite. A limited number of tickets are still available, and early booking is strongly recommended. Mr Yeates, Director of Performing Arts, said: “We can’t wait to showcase our school choirs, bands and a brilliant range of soloists. There’ll be a real mix of classic Christmas favourites and traditional pieces – and yes, there will be audience participation, so expect a few moments where we’ll need everyone to join in.”
Reminder: Year 11 & 13 Mock Exam Results Evening
All parents and carers are invited to attend the Mock Examination Results Evening with their child on Monday, 15 December 2025. The event is designed to simulate the experience of GCSE/A-Level Results Day in August, with pupils opening their sealed results envelopes to review their performance across all subjects.
The evening will begin with a short presentation from the Principal, Mr Sparks, outlining the academy’s next steps, planned intervention strategies and the importance of a shared approach between school and home to maximise pupil success. Families will then proceed to the restaurant to collect and review results, with Directors of Learning and senior staff available to discuss outcomes and answer questions.
The schedule for the mock examination results evening can be found below:
| Principal's Speech | Results Collection | |
|---|---|---|
| Woolf College (Year 13) | 17:00 | 17:20 |
| Hansard College | 17:20 | 17:40 |
| Caxton College | 17:40 | 18:00 |
| Angelou College | 18:00 | 18:20 |
All parents and carers are asked to complete the attendance form for the Mock Examination Results Evening, available here, so that the academy can plan appropriately and ensure the event runs smoothly for all families.
Personal Development Updates
PSHE Update: Supporting Personal Development Across Years 7-13
In Module 2, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education at Leigh Stationers’ Academy continues to 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 | How do I maintain a healthy balance? | What is puberty, and how will it impact me? |
| Year 8 | Healthy bodies = Healthy minds. How can I look after myself? | Healthy bodies = Healthy minds. How can I look after myself? |
| Year 9 | What are illegal substances, and why are they illegal? | How can outside influences impact my mental health? |
| Year 10 | How does the law protect us? | What is the law surrounding Social Media and Hate Crime? |
| Year 11 | How can I ensure harmful behaviours are not normalised? | How can I stay safe against harmful traditional practices? |
| Year 12 | What impact does alcohol and other risky activities have on my body? | How can I stay safe from fraud and scams? |
| Year 13 | How can I eat healthily on a budget? | How do I maintain personal hygiene? |
Parents and carers are encouraged to continue these conversations at home, discussing ideas to help reinforce students’ understanding of these important topics.
Careers Education: Weekly Information, Advice & Guidance
This week’s Careers Newsletter shares UCAS post-application guidance, university webinars, and subject tasters in Nursing, Teacher Training and Computer Science. It also features STEM careers events, information on paid STEM placements, and opportunities linked to Toyota, Lexus, BDO, Virgin Media O2 and Network Rail. Students are signposted to tools such as the InvestIN careers quiz and the HIGHERIN platform for reviews of placements and apprenticeships.
The newsletter spotlight focuses on Careers Adviser as the Job of the Week, alongside features on UCAS, the University of Portsmouth and recent labour market data on graduate outcomes. Parents and carers are encouraged to read the newsletter with their child. Further support is available via careers@stationers.latrust.org.uk
Financial Conduct Authority Apprenticeship Insight Days for Year 13 Girls
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is hosting two exclusive Apprenticeship Insight Days for Year 13 girls who are interested in apprenticeships, developing their employability skills and finding out more about careers in the financial sector. Apprenticeship pathways include Accountancy, HR, Paralegal, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Data Analytics and more.
The events will take place on Friday, 13 February 2026 and Tuesday, 24 February 2026, from 10:00 to 15:30 (approx.) at the FCA offices in Stratford, London (E20 1JN). Interested pupils can apply here.
The University of Law Business School: Virtual Work Experience Evening
Year 12 and Year 13 students interested in Business, Accounting, Finance or Marketing are invited to join a virtual work experience evening with The University of Law Business School on Tuesday, 16 December, from 17:00 to 19:30. The event includes interactive taster sessions in Management, Marketing and Accounting & Finance, as well as guidance on UCAS applications and writing strong personal statements. Interested pupils can sign up here.
Elite Football and Education Programme – Volenti Academy
Year 11 students interested in combining high-level football development with academic study are invited to explore the fully funded Elite Football and Education Programme with Volenti Academy at London Nautical School and City of London Academy. The programme offers coaching from former professional players, competitive fixtures, international experiences and showcase matches. Further information is available here.
A trial session will take place on Tuesday, 23 December 2025, from 13:00 to 15:00 (registration from 12:45) at Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Eltham, SE9 3LX. Students may attend with a friend or teammate, but all participants must register via the link provided. Pupils should bring football boots suitable for 3G and a drink.
After-School Club Schedule Update
In preparation for the upcoming Intra-College Competitions, there will be a temporary change to the after-school schedule next week. All after-school clubs will pause for the week.
Weekly Sports Fixtures Round-Up
Leigh Stationers’ Academy had one sports fixture last week, as the U13 Rugby Union team travelled to face Lift Bexleyheath in a friendly match.
| Fixture | Result | Scorers / Shooters | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rugby Union U13 Friendly vs Lift Bexleyheath | Won 45 - 15 | Chase, Jake, Fin, Alex, Jacob | Alex |
Mr Sparks, Principal, commented: “I am particularly pleased with this result, as Lift Bexleyheath is my old school. It was great to hear that our U13s played with such skill, teamwork and sportsmanship, and that they came out on top on this occasion.”
