Latest News Page Updates | Friday, 13 June 2025

Dear Leigh Stationers’ Academy Community,

Our Year 11 and 13 students now enter their final week of public examinations. Their focus, maturity, and commitment throughout this exam season have been exceptional, and I could not be prouder of the way they have approached this important stage in their education. On behalf of the entire academy community, I would like to wish them every success as they complete their final papers over the coming days. We look forward to celebrating their achievements together later this summer.

Beyond the examinations, it has also been another busy and rewarding week across the wider academy. Our cadets have continued their specialist training ahead of summer camp, while other students have excelled at the London Youth Games Judo competition, bringing home a fantastic set of medals. Equiano College pupils have taken on outdoor challenges at Frylands and rowing sessions on the water as part of their enrichment programme. Meanwhile, we have been delighted to see our students secure all of the top places in the Trust-wide World Book Day Writing Competition — a brilliant reflection of their creativity, imagination, and scholarship. With Module 6 now fully underway, there is much more still to look forward to over the coming weeks.

Best wishes,
Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal, Leigh Stationers’ Academy

Summer Examinations for Years 11 & 13

Students in Years 11 and 13 at Leigh Stationers’ Academy are now approaching the final week of their public examinations.

Our structured programme of academic support, including morning warm-up sessions, afternoon revision, and after-school interventions, will continue next week to ensure all students feel fully prepared for their remaining exams. The full schedule of warm-up sessions and examinations for the week commencing Monday, 16 June 2025, is available via the links below:

Year 11 Click HERE

Year 13 Click HERE

Cadets Prepare for Summer Camp with Specialist Training

It has been a busy and successful fortnight for members of the Leigh Stationers’ Academy Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Last weekend, cadets due to attend this summer’s CCF Camp at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, took part in a full day of specialist training held at the Royal Marines Reserve in Wandsworth. The training focused on developing confidence and competence with the rifle weapon system, and all cadets successfully passed their weapon handling tests. This qualification allows them to safely participate in live and blank firing exercises during both the July Summer Camp and the Pringle Trophy weekend in October.

In addition to the training, the academy is also celebrating the achievements of two cadets who recently competed as finalists in the London First Aid Competition at Blackheath. Lance Corporal Connor and Cadet Sheveen performed exceptionally well, earning their District Colours – a significant honour recognising their skill and dedication.

Major Wilson commented: “It has been a couple of weeks of success for our cadets, who are now in the final stages of preparation for their Summer Camps. Well done on all your achievements.”

The image features two young people in what appear to be military-style camouflage uniforms and berets, standing on a grassy field. Both are smiling at the camera and holding up small circular badges or coins. The person on the left is wearing glasses. The person on the right is also wearing glasses and a watch. In the background, there's a modern building and open green fields under a clear sky. Their attire and the badges suggest they might be part of a cadet program or similar youth organization.

Equiano Students Take on Outdoor Challenges at Frylands Scout Activity Centre

On Friday, 23 May 2025, students from Equiano College enjoyed a full day of outdoor activities and team building at Frylands Scout Activity Centre. The trip provided an excellent opportunity for pupils to step outside of the classroom, try new skills, and challenge themselves in unfamiliar settings.

Throughout the day, students were divided into groups and rotated through a variety of activities, including archery, the assault course, shelter building, and problem-solving challenges. Pupils worked collaboratively to master their archery skills, supported one another on the physically demanding assault course, constructed emergency shelters using natural materials from the woodland, and tackled a series of complex mental tasks.

Ms Gould, Deputy SENCo, said: “The students were an absolute credit to the academy; their behaviour, attitude, and support for one another throughout the day were excellent. A huge thank you to Ms Blayney for organising the trip and securing the funding that allowed so many of our students to take part in this brilliant experience.”

The image shows a group of young people and a couple of adults participating in an outdoor activity on a grassy area. They are gathered around a large green mat, which some of the young people are actively holding, rolling, or moving. This suggests a team-building exercise or a game that involves manipulating the mat. The participants are dressed casually. In the background, there are trees, some outdoor equipment, and what looks like a small wooden structure or shelter. The overall scene indicates an organized outdoor education or leisure activity.

The image captures an outdoor adventure activity where two individuals are sliding down a sloped surface. They are both wearing orange helmets, indicating a safety measure for the activity. One person is lower down the slope, lying on their front, while the other is higher up, sitting and leaning back, with one arm raised. At the bottom of the ramp, there's a blue mat, likely for a soft landing. The setting is a wooded area with tall trees, suggesting a ropes course or adventure park environment. This activity appears to be a type of slide or 'zip' activity often found in adventure centers.

The image shows two young individuals participating in archery outdoors. Both are holding recurve bows and appear to be aiming at targets. The person on the left is wearing a maroon hoodie and is seen drawing the bow. The person on the right is wearing a dark jacket and is also in the process of aiming. In the background, there's a traditional bullseye archery target set up on a grassy area, with a net behind it for safety. The setting is clearly outdoors, with trees and sunlight, suggesting a recreational or training session at an archery range.

This image shows a group of four young people in a woodland setting, standing around a structure made of branches and foliage, resembling a survival shelter or den. On the left, one boy is standing with his arms crossed, smiling at the camera. He is wearing a dark hoodie and track pants. In the center, partially inside the shelter, another boy is sitting on the ground. To the right of the shelter, a boy in a dark jacket is pointing towards the shelter and smiling. On the far right, another boy is standing, looking towards the camera, wearing a light grey tracksuit. The overall scene suggests a fun outdoor activity, possibly involving bushcraft or shelter building in a natural environment.

Success at the London Youth Games: Outstanding Results for LSA Athletes

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is celebrating the achievements of several students who represented Bexley Borough at the London Youth Games Judo competition, held last Saturday. Competing against athletes from 29 London boroughs, the team’s efforts contributed to Bexley finishing in the top 10. Congratulations to the following students for their medal-winning performances:

Sophia – Silver Medal
Teodor – Bronze Medal
Ronnie – Gold Medal

Ms Blayney, Teacher of PE, said: “I’m so proud of all three students – they’ve put in a huge amount of work to reach this level and fully deserve their success. It was fantastic to see them competing with such confidence and representing both the academy and Bexley so well.”

The image captures a medal ceremony, likely for a judo or martial arts competition, in an indoor setting. On a multi-tiered podium (labeled "GOLD", "SILVER", "BRONZE"), four young girls in white judogi (martial arts uniforms) with various colored belts (yellow and green) are standing. The girl on the gold podium is wearing a medal around her neck. To the left of the podium, a man in a blue "GREAT BRITAIN" t-shirt and sunglasses is standing, seemingly an instructor or coach, next to the "SILVER" position. The background features a colorful wall with various logos or symbols. On the right, other participants in judogi are visible, observing the ceremony. The scene suggests a formal recognition of achievement in a sporting event.

he image shows two young individuals, a boy and a girl, standing side-by-side and smiling at the camera. Both are wearing blue judogi (judo uniforms) with yellow belts, indicating their rank in martial arts. Each has a medal with a red ribbon around their neck, which reads "LONDON YOUTH GAMES 2023", suggesting they have participated in and achieved success at this event. They appear to be in a dojo or training hall, with red and yellow mats on the floor and martial arts-related decor on the walls in the background. An adult in a white judogi is partially visible in the left background. The overall impression is one of achievement and camaraderie after a competition.

Year 7 & 8 Girls’ Rugby Team Compete in LAT Super 7s Tournament

On Tuesday, 11 June 2025, the Year 7 and 8 girls’ rugby team represented Leigh Stationers’ Academy at the LAT Super 7s tournament held at Strood Academy.

Mr Mitchell, PE Teacher, said: “For many of the girls, this was their first ever experience of competitive rugby and I couldn’t be prouder of how they approached it. They grew in confidence with every game, showed real determination, and supported one another brilliantly throughout the day. To come away with two wins, a draw, and some very close matches — including one against the eventual winners — is a fantastic achievement.”

The image displays a group of nine young females, likely a sports team, posing on a grassy field. They are all wearing matching navy blue and white striped sports jerseys and dark shorts, which suggests a team uniform, possibly for rugby given the "Rugby7s.jpg" filename. A yellow and green rugby ball is visible in the foreground. Some of the girls are standing, while others are kneeling in front, forming a group photo. They are all smiling, indicating a positive and cohesive team spirit. The background shows more grassy area and some trees.

Year 9 Students Complete Bronze DofE Assessment Expedition in Challenging Conditions

On Saturday, 7 June 2025, 84 Year 9 students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy set out on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award assessed expedition. Despite a poor weather forecast, spirits were high as students began their 10km route to the overnight campsite.

As is often the case on day one, some groups made minor navigational errors but remained positive throughout. Heavy rain arrived by late afternoon, but students quickly pitched tents and cooked in challenging conditions before resting for the night. On Sunday, groups set off early and made excellent progress, with most finishing by early afternoon.

Trip Leader Mr Soane praised the students, saying: “The students were outstanding throughout the weekend, particularly given the challenging conditions. They showed great resilience, teamwork, and determination. I was pleased to confirm that all students successfully completed the expedition section of their Bronze Award, and I am confident they will go on to achieve full certification.”

The image shows a large group of young people, likely teenagers, walking across a wide, open grassy field under a bright sky. Almost everyone in the group is carrying a large backpack, many of which are brightly colored (orange, blue, grey). Several individuals are also holding maps, suggesting they are navigating during an expedition or hike. The attire is casual and practical for outdoor activity. In the background, there are trees lining the edge of the field. The overall scene strongly indicates a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) expedition or a similar outdoor challenge where participants carry their own gear and navigate.

LSA Students Write Their Way to the Top in Trust Competition

During the last module, students from all key stages at Leigh Stationers’ Academy took part in the Trust-wide World Book Day Writing Competition, producing interactive stories using the digital tool Book Creator. The competition challenged students to unleash their creativity and imagination, with a large number of entries submitted from across the academy.

Following an internal shortlisting process, a selection of outstanding entries were passed on to the Trust judges, who praised the quality, originality, and creativity shown by all participants. Leigh Stationers’ Academy is proud to announce that its students secured all of the top places in the competition.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Overall Winner: Frankie, Year 9
2nd Place: Shanaiah, Year 8
3rd Place: Jamaal, Year 8
Runner-up: Freddy, Year 7

The winning interactive books will be available to view in the academy library, providing inspiration for future writers across the school. Well done to all students who took part.

Equiano College: Year 11 Graduation and End of Year Celebration

On Friday, 20 June 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy will host the Equiano College End of Year Celebration, which will include the Year 11 Graduation.

Parents and carers of Equiano College students are warmly invited to join the celebrations from 13:45. The event will reflect on the achievements and successes of Equiano students throughout the year, before concluding with refreshments and an opportunity to share tea and cake with staff and fellow families.

Ms Gould, Deputy SENCo, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming parents and carers to celebrate everything our students have achieved this year. It’s a lovely moment to reflect on how far they’ve come and to enjoy the end of Year 11 together as a community.”

PSHE Updates: Supporting Personal Development Across Years 7-11

During Module 6, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education at Leigh Stationers’ Academy will focus on key areas of personal development tailored to each year group from Years 7 to 10.

Year 7 and Year 8 students will focus on ‘Life Beyond LSA’ skills, whilst Year 9 PSHE lessons will centre around the MYP Service as Action project — a core component of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. This initiative encourages students to become compassionate individuals who contribute positively to their communities and environment. Year 10 students will continue with preparations for their forthcoming mock examinations.

This week’s PSHE topics include:

Year 7: Charity and Philanthropy
Year 8: UK Laws and Human Rights
Year 9: MYP Service As Action Project
Year 10: Mock Exam Revision

Parents and carers are encouraged to engage in discussions at home, such as exploring ideas about laws that keep us safe or supporting Year 10 pupils as they prepare for their exams.

Girls’ Football: Free First Session with Charlton Athletic Community Trust

Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) is offering girls-only football sessions during term time for students aged 12–16. These weekly ‘Squad’ sessions are open to all abilities and aim to promote confidence, fitness, and teamwork in a fun, supportive environment. No previous football experience is required — the sessions focus on enjoyment, developing skills, and encouraging girls to stay active.

Session Times and Locations:

Mondays: Sporting Club Thamesmead | 18:00–19:00
Wednesdays: CACT Training Ground | 17:00–18:00

To help encourage new participants, the first session is free when attending with a printed or digital copy of the flyer. For more information or to register interest, families can contact Charlton Athletic Community Trust directly.

LSA News