Latest News Page Updates | Friday, 14 November 2025

On Tuesday, 11 November 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy held its annual Remembrance Day Service, this year titled “Many Voices, One Humanity.” Led by Vice Principal Mr Smith, this year’s service brought together over 1,000 students, staff, and guests from The Stationers’ Company.

Principal Mr Sparks opened the service by reflecting on the words of Maya Angelou: “History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” He explained how Angelou’s call to confront the past with honesty and empathy connects to this year’s theme, “Many Voices, One Humanity.” Mr Sparks invited students and guests to listen to the voices of those who served, those who rebuilt, and those who still live with the cost of conflict – reminding all present that remembrance is not only about memory but about action: showing courage, compassion, and unity in everyday life.

The service continued with contributions from across the academy community. It opened with a parade from the Combined Cadet Force, followed by a performance of Pie Jesu from the Year 7 and 8 Choir, composed by Mr Yeates and conducted by Ms Yeates. A series of readings then took place: Major Wilson of the Combined Cadet Force read The Parable of the Good Samaritan; Professor Linda Drew, Chair of Governors, read In Flanders Fields by John McCrae; pupil representatives from Angelou, Caxton and Hansard Colleges read Poppies by Jane Weir; and pupils from Equiano and Woolf Colleges delivered the Kohima Epitaph. Together, these elements provided a clear narrative through which students and guests could reflect on the meaning of remembrance.

The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths by representatives from The Stationers’ Company and Leigh Academies Trust. Pupil representatives then laid wreaths on behalf of their colleges, before all students were invited to place a poppy at the end of the service. This allowed every attendee to take part in a personal act of remembrance.

Mr Smith closed the ceremony by thanking all who contributed to the service and reflecting on this year’s theme, “Many Voices, One Humanity.” He reminded those gathered that remembrance is not the story of one person or one nation, but the shared story of all humanity. Drawing on the readings, he highlighted the diverse voices heard during the service: the mother’s voice of love and loss in Poppies, the fallen soldiers’ enduring message in In Flanders Fields, and the timeless call to compassion in The Parable of the Good Samaritan. Each, he noted, adds its own harmony to a collective act of remembrance. Mr Smith urged students to carry the spirit of remembrance beyond the ceremony, through their words, actions, and daily choices, honouring the past by building peace in the present.

Mr Farr, Head of Angelou College, will be departing the academy next week to take up the role of Vice Principal at his fourth Leigh Academy Trust school. Since joining in January 2023, Mr Farr has played a central role in strengthening behaviour systems, improving consistency, and ensuring a disruption-free learning environment at Leigh Stationers’ Academy. Principal Mr Sparks said, “We are extremely grateful to Mr Farr for his exceptional leadership of behaviour and Angelou College. The strong relationships he built with pupils, staff and families have made a lasting impact. He has been a valued member of our senior team and will be greatly missed by all.”

In the interim, Deputy Principal Ms Dooley will oversee Angelou College and behaviour. Any queries relating to Angelou pupils should be directed to angelou@stationers.latrust.org.uk. The academy will begin the process of appointing a permanent replacement later in the academic year.

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is pleased to congratulate two students, Teodor (Year 9, Hansard College) and Sophia (Year 10, Hansard College), who received the Jack Petchey Foundation Award on Monday, 10 November 2025. The award recognises young people who show exceptional commitment and make a positive difference to others.

Teodor and Sophia were nominated for their dedication to the United Judo Bexley Club and their wider contributions to the local community. Their hard work, positive attitude and willingness to support others have earned them this well-deserved recognition. Head of Hansard College, Mr Flower said, “Teodor and Sophia have shown remarkable determination and maturity. Their commitment to their sport and to supporting others in the community is an excellent example to their peers. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved.”

More than 90 Year 10 students took part in the Jack Petchey Speak Out Challenge this week. The programme is the world’s largest public speaking competition for young people, designed to develop confidence, communication skills, and the ability to express ideas clearly.

Students spent the day working with Ore from the Jack Petchey Foundation, who delivered training on how to plan and present effective speeches. Throughout the session, pupils developed their speaking skills, built confidence and learned how to use their voice with impact.

Students shared positive reflections on the experience, with one commenting, “Before the Speak Out Challenge, I was terrified of speaking in front of others. Now, I actually enjoy it!” Another student said, “The training day completely changed the way I think about public speaking — it made me realise that my voice matters.” A third added, “It was amazing to see how confident everyone became by the end of the day. We all found something worth speaking about.”

Raising Standards Leader Ms Blayney said, “The pupils gained so much from the workshops — it was fantastic to see their confidence grow throughout the day. We are very grateful to Ore and the Jack Petchey Foundation for providing such high-quality training and inspiring our students to find their voice.”

To support preparation for the mock examinations, warm-up sessions will run for relevant subjects as follows:

• Morning exams: 08:00–08:30 on the day
• Afternoon exams: 15:15–16:00 the day before (straight after school)
• Wednesdays (PM only): 14:15–15:00

Pupils attend in their usual classroom with their class teacher. Attendance is strongly encouraged as these sessions provide final guidance, key reminders and exam tips.

Year 11 Schedule

Core PE will be suspended from Wednesday, 12 November 20025 for the duration of the mock period while the sports hall is in exam setup; a further update will confirm when it will resume.

Year 13 Schedule

On Monday, 17 November 2025, parents and carers of Year 7 pupils, and those whose children have newly joined Years 8 and 9, are invited to an information session on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) taught in Years 7–9.

The session will outline how the MYP works at Leigh Stationers’ Academy, including the IB Learner Profile, Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills and opportunities for Service as Action within the school community. It will also explain how the programme supports pupils to develop as engaged, reflective learners. Parents who attended the MYP presentation at Meet the Tutor evening do not need to join this session. Further MYP coffee mornings will run during the year, including sessions on assessment and reporting. To book a place, please use the registration link (places are limited).

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 to support students’ wellbeing, personal growth and preparation for life beyond the classroom. Each session is designed to encourage collaboration, critical thinking and skill development. This week’s topics include:

• Year 7: What does good mental health look like?
• Year 8: How can I keep control of my money?
• Year 9: What does good mental health look like?
• Year 10: What types of financial debt exist?
• Year 11: Effective Revision Strategies – Revision Clocks & Grids
• Year 12: Which aspects of life can impact my mental health?
• Year 13: Effective Revision Strategies – Revision Clocks & Grids

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

As part of the academy’s commitment to delivering high-quality careers education, this week’s Careers Newsletter focuses on opportunities for pupils interested in healthcare and medicine. The edition brings together virtual work experience, university guidance and employer insights to help students explore pathways within the NHS and wider medical sector.

Students can access free virtual work experience programmes such as Observe GP and the Brighton and Sussex Medical School Virtual Work Experience, offering a realistic introduction to life as a doctor or NHS professional. The newsletter also provides advice on applying to medicine and nursing, including live sessions from universities such as Leicester, Brighton and Sunderland, alongside virtual open days and interview preparation support.

This week’s employer spotlights feature organisations including Pfizer, GSK and Cancer Research UK, with further insights into the role of a General Practice Doctor. The newsletter also highlights key facts about the sector — including that NHS England now employs over 1.3 million people, making it one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing employers.

Parents and carers are encouraged to read the full newsletter and discuss the opportunities with their children. The Careers Team can be contacted at careers@stationers.latrust.org.uk for further guidance.

Click here to read this week’s Careers Newsletter

Careers Education: NHS Nursing Pathways Talk

The latest session in the academy’s Career Exploration Series attracted almost 60 students from across all year groups. The academy was pleased to welcome Mr Juan Carrasco Alvarez, Corporate Lead for Advanced Practice in Nursing and Midwifery, who shared his extensive experience of working within the NHS.

Mr Alvarez introduced students to the different stages of a nursing career, outlining entry routes, progression pathways and the breadth of roles available within modern nursing. He also explained the apprenticeship pathway, providing practical advice on how students can gain hands-on experience while working towards recognised qualifications.

Students found the session particularly valuable in understanding the personal qualities required for nursing, the rewards of working in healthcare and the wide range of specialisms available within the profession. The event offered clear insight into the many pathways into nursing and encouraged students to explore future careers within the NHS.

Enrichment Programme: Clubs Expansion and New Opportunities

The academy congratulates all students who attended an enrichment club during Module 1. Participation across the programme has been strong, and additional spaces have now been created in all clubs to ensure more pupils can take part. This includes expanded capacity in some of the most popular clubs, such as Art-Textiles, Computing and Creative Science. A new Journalism Club has also been launched and will run every Monday. Students can sign up via SOCS.

Full details of all clubs and enrichment opportunities, including the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), are available on the academy’s Co-Curricular page.

Enrichment Programme: Royal Marines CCF Recruitment Open

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is proud to host a Royal Marines contingent of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), supported by the sponsorship of The Stationers’ Company. The academy is one of only 24 schools nationally to offer a Royal Marines cadet unit, providing pupils with a unique opportunity to develop leadership, confidence and teamwork.

The CCF is a uniformed, school-based youth organisation affiliated with the Royal Marines and sponsored jointly by the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Education. Cadets wear the Royal Marines uniform and take part in a structured programme of training and activities.

Weekly parades take place every Monday from 15:15 to 17:00. Cadets also take part in one weekend activity each term, an adventure training camp, and an annual summer camp at the Commando Training Centre in Devon.

Training includes fieldcraft, military skills, safe weapon handling and marksmanship, navigation, first aid, drill, fitness, afloat training and a wide range of outdoor adventure activities. Uniform and equipment (excluding boots) are provided free of charge, and most activities are free or heavily subsidised by the Ministry of Defence.

The programme is open to pupils in Years 10–12, with training delivered by academy staff in partnership with the Royal Marines Youth Training Team. Cadets with prior experience in other services (ACF, ATC, SCC) may be considered for junior leadership roles.

For more information, or to request a joining form, please contact Mr George Heine at george.heine@stationers.latrust.org.uk

Leigh Stationers’ Academy teams took part in a series of competitive fixtures this week, including National Cup matches and Kent Cup competitions across multiple year groups.

Mr Judd, Director of PE, said: “It has been another strong week of sport at Leigh Stationers’ Academy. Our pupils continue to demonstrate resilience, teamwork and commitment in every fixture. Well done to all students who represented the academy.”

The Greenwich Mental Health in Schools Team (GMHST) is offering a free psychoeducation webinar for parents and carers of secondary school-aged children who may be experiencing anxiety. The session aims to provide clear guidance and practical support to help families better understand and respond to anxious feelings.

The webinar will cover:

• What anxiety is and how it presents in young people
• Factors that may contribute to problematic anxiety
• Practical strategies to support children in managing anxious thoughts and feelings
• Ways to strengthen communication and relationships within the family
• Opportunities to connect with other parents and carers who may be facing similar challenges

Session Dates & Times

• Monday, 1 December 2025 – 10:00
• Monday, 8 December 2025 – 18:00

Parents and carers can find further information and register by scanning the QR code on the flyer linked here.

Families are reminded that weekend community flu vaccination clinics are available locally, offering a convenient way for children and parents to receive their flu vaccine this season. Although some clinic dates have already taken place, further sessions remain open for those who still need to get vaccinated. The clinics provide a quick and straightforward way to protect against flu, and registration can be completed easily using the QR code provided on the following flyer.