Dear Leigh Stationers’ Academy Community,
As we reach the end of Module 3 and head into half-term, it has been a really positive week at Leigh Stationers’ Academy. Pupils have represented the academy superbly on trips and visits, from Caxton Year 7 exploring Stationers’ Hall and Tate Modern to Sixth Form students attending the Aerospace Careers Roadshow at Townley Grammar School. National Apprenticeship Week has also helped pupils think carefully about future pathways, supported by an inspiring alumni visit for our Photography students, and I was particularly pleased to see the maturity shown by Year 8 and 9 pupils during workshops on challenging misogyny. Alongside this, our sports teams have continued to perform strongly, including an excellent result at the LAT Swimming Gala and a fantastic intra-college basketball competition.
After half-term, Module 4 begins with an important focus for Year 9 as pupils start the key stage 4 options process. There will be a clear series of events to support pupils and families, including the launch webinar, in-school taster opportunities and the in-person options Evening. The key dates for these events (and all other Module 4 dates) can be found below.
I wish all families a relaxing and restful half-term break.
Best wishes,
Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal, Leigh Stationers’ Academy
Reminder: Key Dates for Module 4
A number of events are scheduled to take place during Module 4 at Leigh Stationers’ Academy. Further details about each event will be shared in upcoming Latest News page updates.
Key dates for Module 4 are as follows:
- Monday, 23 February 2026 from 18:15 to 19:00 – USA Trip Parent/Carer Briefing
- Tuesday, 24 February 2026 at 17:15 – KS4 Options Launch Webinar (parents, carers and pupils)
- Friday, 27 February 2026 – KS4 Options Taster Day
- Monday, 2 March to Friday, 6 March 2026 – KS4 Options Week (taster sessions during timetabled lessons)
- Wednesday, 4 March 2026 from 17:00 to 18:30 – KS4 Options Evening (in person)
- Friday, 6 March 2026 – KS4 Options Form sent to parents and carers (to complete during the Easter break)
- Tuesday, 10 March 2026 from 16:00 to 17:00 – Sports Tour Trip Information Evening
- Wednesday, 18 March 2026 from 16:00 to 19:00 – Year 9 Parents’ Evening
- Thursday, 19 March 2026 – Year 11 and Year 13 Mock Exam Results Evening
- Friday, 20 March 2026 – Vaccinations: Year 9 DTP/MenACWY
- Thursday, 26 March 2026 from 18:00 to 19:30 – Dance Extravaganza
- Saturday, 28 March to Saturday, 4 April 2026 – Residential Ski Trip, Val Cenis, France
- Monday, 30 March 2026 – End of Term (Easter Break)
- Sunday, 5 April to Thursday, 9 April 2026 – Residential Sports Trip, Spain
Key Stage 4 Options Process Begins After Half-Term
After half-term, during Module 4, Year 9 pupils at Leigh Stationers’ Academy will begin the process of selecting their Key Stage 4 options.
Mr Smith, Vice Principal, said: “Over the coming weeks, we have a series of key events to support Year 9 pupils and their families, including the launch webinar, taster opportunities in school and our Options Evening. We are excited to help pupils explore what each pathway involves, so they can make confident choices about their next steps.”
Key Dates
- Tuesday, 24 February 2026 at 17:15 – KS4 Options Launch Webinar: an online session for parents, carers and pupils outlining the available pathways, the selection process and key dates, with time for questions.
- Friday, 27 February 2026 – KS4 Options Taster Day: a dedicated day for pupils to experience subjects not currently studied in Year 9 (e.g. Business, Health & Social Care) before making choices.
- Monday, 2 March to Friday, 6 March 2026 – KS4 Options Week: taster sessions within timetabled lessons, helping pupils explore Key Stage 4 course content, expectations and required skills.
- Wednesday, 4 March 2026 from 17:00 to 18:30 – KS4 Options Evening: an in-person event for families to meet subject teachers, curriculum leaders and senior staff, and discuss suitability and future pathways.
- Friday, 6 March 2026 – KS4 Options Form Sent: the Google Form will be issued to parents and carers, to be completed during the Easter break once families have had time to reflect and discuss final choices.
- KS4 Options Launch Webinar – Tuesday, 24 February [17:15]
- The process begins with a live webinar for parents, carers, and students. This session will outline the available options, selection process, and key dates, with time for questions.
Caxton Year 7 Visit Stationers’ Hall and Tate Modern
The final Year 7 college trip to Tate Modern and Stationers’ Hall took place on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, with pupils from Caxton College enjoying a memorable day of learning in central London. The visit helped pupils understand the origins of the academy’s name and heritage, with one pupil commenting, “We must be fancy if we come from such a fancy place.”
During the visit to Stationers’ Hall, pupils were particularly interested in William Caxton and the window depicting him. The group also visited Tate Modern, where Ms Zagloba, Coordinator of Learning – Art, guided pupils to artworks linked closely to their current Art curriculum.
Ms Zagloba said: “Visits like this are so important because they bring the curriculum to life. There is something powerful about seeing artworks up close, in the spaces they are meant to be experienced, and it helps pupils to develop their understanding, vocabulary and confidence in Art. Our Caxton pupils were curious, thoughtful and a real credit to the academy throughout the day.”
Year 8 Pupils Enjoy Hercules in the West End
On Thursday, 5 February 2026, 98 pupils from Hansard College and five pupils from Equiano College enjoyed an afternoon trip to see Hercules at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Mr Smith, Vice Principal, said: “This was our final college trip to Hercules, and it means every pupil in Year 8 has now had the opportunity to experience the theatre. As part of our universal offer at Leigh Stationers’ Academy, we are committed to ensuring all children can access a wide range of trips and visits during their time with us.”
Year 12 Attend Aerospace Careers Roadshow at Townley Grammar School
On Tuesday, 10 February 2026, a group of Sixth Form students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy attended the Aerospace Careers Programme event at Townley Grammar School. The roadshow brought together students from across the area to explore careers in aerospace, engineering and advanced technology.
The morning session included an interactive presentation with audio-visual demonstrations and hands-on exhibits, including a Boston Dynamics robot dog and a replica NASA space suit. Pupils learned about developments in robotics and space exploration, as well as the wide range of pathways available within the aerospace sector.
A key highlight was a live demonstration of “Spot”, the robot dog, showcasing how it can carry out LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scans to create highly detailed 3D maps of environments. In the afternoon, students took part in breakout sessions where they engaged more closely with the technology and explored real-world applications of engineering and robotics.
Henry D said: “It was exceptionally informative and inspired me to pursue my interests.” Maxime P added: “I had a great day, had a fantastic experience and was blown away by Spot, the talking robot dog that could complete LiDAR scans that humans couldn’t possibly do themselves.”
Strong Performances at the Leigh Academies Trust Swimming Gala and Intra-College Basketball
Leigh Stationers’ Academy pupils enjoyed a successful fortnight of sport, with excellent participation and strong results across both swimming and basketball.
On Wednesday, 4 February 2026, the academy competed in the LAT Swimming Gala, finishing 3rd overall out of 15 schools. The squad included Bradley S, Neve W, Freya P, George Penn and Oscar R.
Ms Blayney, Teacher of PE, said: “Our swimmers made a fantastic start to the gala, winning their heats in freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke, and also coming first in their relay heat. The finals were incredibly competitive, but the team responded brilliantly, taking first place in the freestyle final and producing strong performances across the other races. Bradley was outstanding on the day and deserved real credit for winning the freestyle final.”
The academy also hosted an Intra-College Boys’ Basketball Competition (from Wednesday, 28 January 2026), with a very strong turnout across all year groups and a competitive showcase of skills developed in lessons. Final placings were:
- Year 7: 1st Angelou │ 2nd Caxton │ 3rd Hansard
- Year 8: 1st Hansard │ 2nd Angelou │ 3rd Caxton
- Year 9: 1st Caxton │ 2nd Hansard │ 3rd Angelou
Personal Development Updates
PSHE Update: Supporting Personal Development Across Years 7-13
In Module 4, 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.
| Year Group | Focus / Event 1 | Focus / Event 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | National Apprenticeship Week | IB Community Project |
| Year 8 | National Apprenticeship Week | IB Community Project |
| Year 9 | National Apprenticeship Week | IB Community Project |
| Year 10 | National Apprenticeship Week | How can I choose the right placement for me? |
| Year 11 | MOCKS | MOCKS |
| Year 12 | National Apprenticeship Week | What opportunities exist for my future? |
| Year 13 | MOCKS | MOCKS |
Careers Education: Weekly Information, Advice & Guidance
This week’s Careers Newsletter provides a dedicated focus on National Apprenticeship Week 2026, offering vacancy listings, application guidance, and resources to help students and families explore apprenticeship and technical education pathways.
- National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Students can access the January 2026 Higher & Degree Vacancy Listing featuring over 1,600 apprenticeships, read a real apprentice story from a Level 4 Project Management apprentice, and take part in interactive quizzes and games designed to build apprenticeship knowledge.
- Parent & Guardian Resources: Families can use the UCAS Parent and Guardian Guide to Apprenticeships, explore myth-busting and glossary resources, and access a clear guide explaining apprenticeship levels from Level 2 through to Level 7.
- T Levels & Technical Education: Two upcoming webinars focus on understanding T Levels, including employer insight from Lloyds Banking Group and guidance from the Department for Education on the value of industry placements.
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
Reminder: Year 10 & 12 Work Experience
Work Experience Week for Year 10 and Year 12 will take place from Monday, 6 July to Friday, 10 July 2026. Students are expected to have secured a placement, and the deadline to log placement details on Unifrog is Monday, 2 March 2026.
How to Log a Placement on Unifrog: Once an employer has confirmed a placement verbally or by email, students should log this on Unifrog by:
- Launch Unifrog and scroll down to the Placements tool.
- Click “Add a new placement.”
- Complete the Student Initial Form with the employer’s contact details.
Helpful Resources:
- Unifrog’s Placements tool FAQs – A short animation to get you started.
- How to Help Your Child Find a Placement – Tips for the search.
- Mr Smith’s Webinar – A full walkthrough of the school’s expectations.
For queries, families should contact Ms Saif via careers@stationers.latrust.org.uk
Pupils Mark National Apprenticeship Week
During National Apprenticeship Week, pupils across Leigh Stationers’ Academy took part in a programme of assemblies, tutor time activities and curriculum-linked learning designed to deepen their understanding of apprenticeships and challenge common misconceptions about this increasingly popular pathway.
The week began with a whole-school assembly exploring the benefits of apprenticeships, including the opportunity to earn while learning, gain nationally recognised qualifications, and progress to higher and degree-level study. Pupils also explored key messages around equality of opportunity, with staff addressing myths such as apprenticeships being limited to certain industries or only suited to particular types of learners.
Curriculum links were a particular strength throughout the week, including:
- Year 7 exploring careers in architecture and town planning through Design & Technology
- Year 8 linking apprenticeships to major geographical issues such as nuclear energy, climate change and extreme weather, alongside how pathways have evolved over time in History
- Year 9 connecting careers to current learning, including set design roles linked to Art projects and journalism pathways aligned with English
- Drama pupils investigating the wide range of backstage and technical theatre roles
- Year 12 researching degree apprenticeships and routes into areas such as psychology, the Civil Service, political organisations and media careers
Mr Smith, Vice Principal, said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a brilliant opportunity to show pupils just how wide-ranging and ambitious apprenticeship pathways can be. Apprenticeships offer high-quality routes into skilled employment and higher-level qualifications, and they can open doors in everything from engineering and healthcare to law, finance and the creative industries. We want every pupil to understand that apprenticeships are not a second option — they are a powerful route to future success.”
Photography Alumni Inspire Pupils During National Apprenticeship Week
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Photography pupils at Leigh Stationers’ Academy welcomed former student Conor, who shared insights from his journey into the creative industries. Conor spoke about the importance of seizing opportunities, developing a strong portfolio and building professional networks, as well as his commitment to championing young creatives through apprenticeships and work-based pathways.
Conor now runs his own videography company and has produced content for global brands including Nike, as well as high-profile figures such as KSI and Tyson Fury. During the session, he also shared that on a recent shoot he found himself working alongside another former Leigh Stationers’ Academy pupil, Joe, who was leading the photography crew.
After reviewing pupils’ portfolios, Conor praised the quality of work on show and offered work experience placements to two Year 12 pupils and one Year 11 pupil who demonstrated exceptional potential.
Year 8 and 9 Take Part in Workshops on Challenging Misogyny
On Wednesday, 11 and Thursday, 12 February 2026, all Year 8 and Year 9 pupils at Leigh Stationers’ Academy took part in a workshop focused on misogyny and the impact it can have on individuals, relationships and wider society.
The workshops aimed to help pupils understand what misogyny is, recognise how it can appear in everyday language and behaviour (including online), and reflect on the importance of respect, equality and healthy relationships. Pupils also explored practical ways to challenge harmful attitudes, act as active bystanders, and seek support or report concerns where needed.
Mr Hill, Assistant Principal, said: “It is essential that we address misogyny openly and directly, so pupils can recognise it, challenge it and understand the impact it has on others. These workshops help pupils build the knowledge and confidence to make positive choices, treat others with dignity and contribute to a safe, respectful community.”
Parent/Carer Webinar: Supporting Your Teen with Anxiety and Worries
Families are invited to a free online parent/carer webinar led by the Greenwich Mental Health in Schools Team (Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust) on Supporting Your Teen with Anxiety and Worries.
The session will explore what anxiety can look like in young people, how it may affect behaviour, and practical strategies to use at home, including supporting problem-solving and challenging unhelpful thoughts. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 25 March 2026 at 10:00 via Microsoft Teams. To reserve a place, families should scan the QR code on the following flyer.The Greenwich immunisation team will be running community catch-up clinics in February and March 2026 to support teenage vaccinations. Families who would like to access a clinic can find full details, including dates, locations and how to attend, here.
