Latest News Page Updates | Friday, 13 March 2026

Latest Newsletter

Dear Leigh Stationers’ Academy Community,

This week’s updates capture the many ways in which students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy continue to excel, both in and beyond the classroom. It has been particularly pleasing to see students recognised in the LAT Visual Arts Competition 2026, including winning entries from Annabelle in Year 7 and Tilly in Year 12, while our Year 10 GCSE PE pupils approached their rock climbing assessment trip to Lower Grange Farm with commitment and maturity. Alongside these successes, this week’s updates also highlight the importance of working together to keep young people safe, with guidance for families on online grooming, reminders about the legal and safety risks linked to high-powered electric bikes, and a renewed focus on safe and considerate driving on the access road.

Looking ahead, we encourage Year 9 families to make the most of the upcoming Parents’ Evening on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, which will provide an important opportunity to discuss progress and next steps with subject teachers. Our teachers have also now completed the marking of the Year 11 and Year 13 mock examination papers, and the academy is currently analysing the outcomes and preparing reports to share with parents and carers during the week commencing Monday, 16 March 2026. Initial indications suggest that this year’s Year 11 and Year 13 cohorts are on track to achieve the academy’s strongest set of examination results to date, building on the impressive outcomes achieved last year. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Best wishes,

Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal, Leigh Stationers’ Academy

LAT Visual Arts Competition 2026: Student Success

Students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy achieved success in the LAT Visual Arts Competition 2026. Annabelle in Year 7 was selected as the Key Stage 3 winner. Her artwork was recognised by the judges for its originality and the care taken in its development. Tilly in Year 12 was selected as the Key Stage 5 winner. The judges noted the originality and skill demonstrated in her work.

Ms Zagloba, Coordinator of Learning for Art, said: “It has been a pleasure to see the range of work produced by our students for this year’s competition. Annabelle and Tilly should be congratulated on their success, and it was equally encouraging to see so many thoughtful and creative entries submitted from across the academy.”

GCSE PE Pupils Excel During Rock Climbing Assessment Trip

From Monday, 9 to Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 16 Year 10 GCSE PE pupils from Leigh Stationers’ Academy visited Lower Grange Farm to complete the practical element of their GCSE PE course, which is worth 10% of their overall grade.

Mr Kay, Assistant Principal, said: “Across the three days, pupils worked extremely hard and represented the academy with pride. They were polite, showed an excellent attitude throughout, and gave maximum effort in every activity they undertook. Their behaviour, commitment and willingness to challenge themselves made the trip a very positive experience for all involved.”

Staff at the centre, which has worked with more than 800 schools, praised the group highly and commented that they were one of the best groups they had ever worked with.  As a result of their dedication and hard work, pupils achieved some excellent practical scores, placing them in a strong position as they continue their GCSE PE course.

Reminder: Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Leigh Stationers’ Academy would like to remind families that the Year 9 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, from 16:00 to 19:00. This face-to-face event provides an important opportunity for parents and carers to meet with subject teachers and discuss their child’s academic progress.

The SchoolCloud booking system will close at 12:00 on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. As of today, the academy has opened the booking system further, allowing parents and carers to book more than six appointments. Appointments can be made via the SchoolCloud booking system, with full instructions available on the academy’s website. For any assistance or further information, please contact Gabrielle Holland at gabrielle.holland@stationers.latrust.org.uk

Digital Update: Online Grooming – What Parents Need to Know

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is sharing a guide for parents and carers on online grooming and the risks it can present to children and young people.

Online grooming is when an individual builds a relationship with a child online with the intention of exploiting or abusing them. This can happen across a range of platforms, including social media, messaging apps, online gaming and live streaming. In many cases, young people may be manipulated, pressured or coerced into situations they do not fully understand or feel comfortable with.

The guide highlights a number of potential risks, including contact with strangers online, closed messaging spaces and unhealthy emotional attachments. Parents and carers can access the guide by clicking HERE .

Important Safety Notice: High-Powered Electric Bikes

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is reminding families about the legal and safety issues linked to high-powered electric bikes.

In the UK, an electric bike can be used as an electrically assisted pedal cycle only if it meets specific legal requirements. This includes having pedals, a motor with a maximum continuous rated power output of 250 watts, and electrical assistance that cuts off at 15.5mph. Vehicles that exceed these limits may be treated in law as motor vehicles rather than pedal cycles.

This means that some higher-powered bikes being used by young people may not be legal for use on roads or pavements without the appropriate licence, registration and insurance. There are also clear safety risks associated with vehicles capable of travelling at significantly higher speeds.

The academy does not expect any student to travel to or from school on an unlawful vehicle. Where there are concerns about a bike brought onto the site, the academy may investigate the matter in line with its behaviour, safeguarding and site procedures, and may contact parents, carers or the police where appropriate. Schools in England do have powers to search and confiscate items in certain circumstances in line with Department for Education guidance.

Parents and carers are asked to ensure that any transport used by their child is legal, appropriate and safe. Thank you for your support in helping to keep the academy community safe.

Safe and Considerate Driving on the School Access Road

Leigh Stationers’ Academy would like to remind all parents, carers and visitors to drive safely and considerately when using the school access road.

The academy has received reports of vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road to pass traffic waiting at the gate buzzer. This creates a significant safety risk for pedestrians and other drivers, particularly at busy drop-off and collection times. Parents and carers are reminded that only families with drop off passes should be using the service road.

Children crossing the road will naturally look for traffic approaching from the correct direction, meaning vehicles travelling on the wrong side of the road can create dangerous and unexpected situations.

Parents, carers and visitors are asked to support the safety of the school community by driving on the correct side of the road at all times, waiting patiently behind vehicles at the buzzer, and remaining alert for pedestrians.

The access road is a shared space used by many members of the school community. Thank you for your support in helping to keep it safe for everyone.

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.

YearThis WeekNext Week
Year 7IB Community ProjectIB Community Project
Year 8IB Community ProjectIB Community Project
Year 9IB Community ProjectIB Community Project
Year 10How can I write an effective cover letter to a potential employer?How can I research different alternatives for my placements?
Year 11Revision Strategies & GCSE Exam Preparation - Spaced Retrieval 2 of 2Revision Strategies & GCSE Exam Preparation - Cornell Note Taking
Year 12What does a stable and healthy relationship look like?How I develop my understanding of biological sex and gender?
Year 13Online Community: How can I understand the importance of data privacy?What impact will my credit score have on my life?

Careers Education: Weekly Information, Advice & Guidance

This week’s Careers Newsletter highlights opportunities for students to develop future-ready skills and explore creative careers.

  • Technology and Future Skills: Students are encouraged to build career confidence through a free “Preparing For Your Future” online learning programme with certificated courses for CVs, alongside resources from TechSheCan exploring careers in gaming and technology, advice on future-proofing careers, and access to thousands of expert-led courses through LinkedIn Learning.
  • Creative Careers and Work Experience: A range of platforms are highlighted to help students explore creative industries, including the ERIC video library and careers contacts list, Creative Alliance’s toolkit outlining routes into creative jobs, work experience opportunities from the Young Apprentices Network, and Springpod programmes introducing alternative pathways such as T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.
  • Career Advice and Podcasts: Students can gain inspiration and practical career advice through podcasts such as Squiggly Careers and 40 Minute Mentor, alongside resources sharing useful strategies and tips to help young people build fulfilling and productive careers.

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

Vaccinations: Year 9 DTP/Men ACWY

Leigh Stationers’ Academy has been asked by the Royal Borough of Greenwich to remind parents and carers to complete the e-consent form for the upcoming Year 9 DTP/Men ACWY vaccination session taking place in school on Friday, 20 March 2026.

Parents and carers who have not yet responded are asked to complete the e-consent form HERE.