Dear Leigh Stationers’ Academy Community,
It’s been an extraordinary week at Leigh Stationers’ Academy — a reminder that even as the year draws to a close, students continue to lead with energy, curiosity, and purpose. From the rare privilege of being invited to meet Her Majesty The Queen at Stationers’ Hall to breaking records on Sports Day, their achievements have captured the very best of what this community stands for. Whether through outstanding entries in trust-wide writing competitions, powerful expressions of political art, or thoughtful reflection in interdisciplinary learning, students have shown what it means to be engaged, informed, and ambitious. Their creativity, leadership, and resilience continue to make the academy proud.
As we approach the final few days of the academic year, I find myself reflecting on what has been a remarkable chapter in the life of our school. This summer marks the end of my second year as Principal, and what continues to stand out is the strength of our community, built on mutual respect, shared ambition, and a commitment to ensuring that no student is left behind. Whether in classrooms, on the sports field, through enrichment, our pupils are thriving because of the dedication of our staff and the continued support of our families.
Looking ahead, we are preparing to welcome a fantastic group of new staff and build further on the momentum we’ve created together. Key information regarding the end-of-term, start-of-year dates, and uniform orders is included in this week’s updates to help ensure a smooth transition into 2025/26.
Thank you to all families for your engagement, encouragement, and partnership throughout the year. I wish you a relaxing, restful, and well-deserved summer break. We look forward to welcoming students back in September, ready for the next exciting stage of their journey.
Best wishes,
Mr Joseph Sparks | Principal, Leigh Stationers’ Academy
Her Majesty The Queen Meets Students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy
On Tuesday, 15 July 2025, students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy and Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy were honoured to take part in a historic event at Stationers’ Hall, where Her Majesty The Queen was formally clothed as an Honorary Freeman and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers. The ceremony recognised Her Majesty’s longstanding commitment to literacy and was attended by members of the Stationers’ Company, charitable partners, apprentices, veterans, and pupils from across the country.
Pupils from Leigh Stationers’ Primary Academy played a special role in welcoming Her Majesty. Khivi presented a posy of flowers upon The Queen’s arrival, while Zachary Welsh presented a specially bound copy of A Shakespearean Botanical by Margaret Willes, created by a graduate of the Royal Bindery Apprenticeship Scheme.
From the secondary academy, Leah, a Sixth Form student, presented The Queen with a framed copy of the 1623 copyright entry for Shakespeare’s First Folio, held in the Stationers’ Company archives. In addition, a Royal Marines Cadet detachment from Leigh Stationers’ Academy formed a formal honour guard as part of the welcome.
Mr Sparks, Principal of Leigh Stationers’ Academy and a Freeman of the Stationers’ Company, said: “It was a real privilege for our students to take part in such a momentous occasion. Their involvement, from ceremonial presentations to the honour guard, reflects the strength of our partnership with the Stationers’ Company and the importance we place on literacy, heritage, and service. Our students represented the academy with dignity, enthusiasm, and pride.”
Leigh Stationers’ Academy is proud to share such meaningful links with the Stationers’ Company, ensuring pupils continue to benefit from experiences that connect them to the City, to tradition, and a culture of excellence.
End-of-Term Arrangements for Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Leigh Stationers’ Academy will close for the summer break on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. Please note that the final day of term will be a half day, with students dismissed at the end of Period 3 (12:35). To ensure all students have the opportunity to enjoy a meal before the end of the day, there will be an extended brunch break from 11:10 to 11:45. As a result, Period 3 will be slightly shortened. The timings for the final day can be found below:
Start-of-Term Arrangements for September 2025
Leigh Stationers’ Academy will begin the 2025/26 academic year on Monday, 1 September 2025 for students in Years 7 and 12, who should arrive at 08:30. All remaining year groups (Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13) will return on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, also at 08:30. A complete list of term dates for the year ahead is available on the academy’s website.
Staffing Updates: Farewells and New Beginnings for 2025/26
As the academic year draws to a close, Leigh Stationers’ Academy bids farewell to a number of colleagues who are moving on to new opportunities, while also preparing to welcome a talented group of new staff for the 2025/26 academic year.
Staff Leavers
The academy extends its sincere thanks to the following staff for their service and dedication:
- Ms Clements – Teacher of Science
- Ms D’Agostino – Teacher of Geography
- Ms Ekomie – Teacher of MFL
- Mr Mistry – Teacher of English
- Mr Mangal – Coordinator of Economics & Finance
- Ms Panicker – Teacher of Computer Science
- Ms Quinlan – D&T Technician
- Ms Roe – Teacher of English
Staff Joiners
We are pleased to welcome the following new staff members who will join us in September:
- Mr Chandrabose – Teacher of D&T
- Mr Coles – Teacher of History
- Mr Croxford – Teacher of English
- Mr Davies – Teacher of English
- Ms Doherty – Teacher of MFL
- Mr Edwards – Teacher of Computer Science
- Ms Hakim – Teacher of English
- Ms Heslop – Lead Practitioner, Physics
- Ms Hignell – Science Teacher
- Ms Holland – Teacher of Business
- Ms Hussain – Teacher of Business
- Ms Kalam – Teacher of Geography
- Mr Malik – Director of Learning, Computer Science and Media
- Mr Moffatt – Director of Learning, MFL
- Ms Nkoy – Teacher of Business
- Ms Potter – Teacher of History
- Ms Rumbold-Kazzuz – Teacher of English
- Ms Stewart – Teaching Assistant
- Ms Todd – Teaching Assistant
- Ms Ward – Teaching Assistant
Mr Sparks, Principal, said: “As we say goodbye to colleagues who have made a meaningful contribution to our community, I want to thank each one of them for their dedication to our pupils and for the difference they have made. We also look forward to welcoming a wealth of new staff to Leigh Stationers’ Academy in September. Their energy, expertise and passion will help us continue to grow as a school where every student can thrive.”
Pupil Reward Events Recognise Outstanding Attendance & Attitude
On Monday, 21 July 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy will celebrate the achievements of hundreds of students through its end-of-year Reward Events. These trips recognise pupils who have demonstrated excellent attendance and a consistently positive attitude to learning throughout the academic year.
Students who earned the Bronze Award will enjoy a film of their choice at VUE Eltham, while Silver Award recipients will head to the O2 Arena for a trampoline session at Oxygen. Those receiving the Gold Award, our largest group, will spend the day at Thorpe Park, enjoying the theme park’s top attractions as a well-deserved reward. Copies of the letters sent to parents and carers regarding each trip can be found below:
Caxton College Crowned Sports Day Champions
Leigh Stationers’ Academy hosted its annual Sports Day on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, bringing together students from Years 7 to 9 for a day of competition, teamwork, and outstanding athletic performances. Each year group competed across a range of track and field events. Colleges were out in full force, with students donning face paint, ribbons, and college colours in support of their teams.
Year Group Results
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|
1st: Angelou – 172 points 2nd: Caxton – 170 points 3rd: Hansard – 129 point |
1st: Hansard – 151 points 2nd: Angelou – 148 points 3rd: Caxton – 137 points |
1st: Hansard – 182 points 2nd: Caxton – 169 points 3rd: Angelou – 125 points |
Overall College Winner – Caxton College
After a fiercely contested day, Caxton claimed the Sports Day Trophy, finishing with a total of 476 points. Hansard followed closely with 462 points, while Angelou secured a strong 445 points.
New School Records
Several students delivered record-breaking performances on the day:
| Boys | Girls |
|
Stanley W. (Year 7 80m Hurdles) – 13.18s Ilyas C. (Year 8 80m Hurdles) – 12.85s Ben G. (Year 8 300m) – 44.18s |
Sophia H. (Year 7 Long Jump) – 4.10m Felicity G. (Year 8 80m Hurdles) – 14.83s Isabella C. (Year 9 80m Hurdles) – 14.18s |
Mr Judd, Director of Sport, commented: “It was an amazing day, with the entire school coming together to cheer on the final races. The atmosphere was electric, students were vibrant in their college colours, and the sense of unity and support was outstanding. A huge thank you to the PE department for their incredible efforts in organising such a successful event.”
Summer Concert: From Classics to Pop
On Tuesday, 1 July 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy hosted its Summer Concert: From Classics to Pop. The event showcased a diverse range of performances, from the school choir and beginner orchestra to soloists, duets, and full-band arrangements.
Students wowed the audience with renditions of crowd favourites including Blame It on the Boogie by The Jacksons, I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross, Get Down On It by Kool & the Gang, Under Pressure by Queen & David Bowie, and Murder on the Dance Floor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Mr Yeates, Director of Performing Arts, said: “Our performers were outstanding. The dedication and passion they brought to the stage is a testament to their hard work and love for music. Events like this remind us just how important it is to keep music thriving in schools — it brings students together, builds confidence, and creates moments they’ll remember for life.”
Leigh Stationers’ Students Excel in LAT History Writing Competition
Leigh Stationers’ Academy is pleased to announce the results of this year’s Leigh Academies Trust Historical Writing Competition, with two Year 9 students recognised for their outstanding submissions.
Ritu was named Winner, and Joey achieved Runner-Up in the highly competitive Years 9–10 category. Their entries were praised for their originality, depth of historical understanding, and thoughtful engagement with the topic.
Mr Bailey, Coordinator of Learning for History, said: “Both Ritu and Joey approached the brief with real originality and insight. Their entries stood out not only for their historical accuracy, but also for the clarity of their writing and the way they engaged thoughtfully with the wider context. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.”
To read Ritu’s and Joey’s entries, click on the links below:
Woolf College Sixth Form: End-of-Year Letter from the Head of College
Ms Collier, Head of Woolf College, has written to parents and carers with reflections on a successful year in the Sixth Form. The letter highlights key student achievements, enrichment activities, and work placements, as well as important updates for September 2025 — including the Sixth Form dress code. Click here to read the full letter.
Reminder: School Uniform Order Deadlines
Leigh Stationers’ Academy works with two approved school uniform suppliers to give families greater choice and flexibility when ordering uniform.
JK Clothing
JK Clothing operates a physical retail store located at Wellington Parade, 14 Blackfen Rd, Sidcup DA15 9NB.
Uniforms can also be ordered via their website: https://jkclothing.co.uk.
Brigade
Brigade is an online-only supplier. The deadline for placing orders to guarantee delivery before the start of term is Friday, 1 August 2025. For full details and ordering instructions, please refer to the uniform flyer linked below.
Year 8 Students Create Political Art Installation
Year 8 students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy have created a powerful political art installation, using clay shoes to express issues they care deeply about. Each shoe symbolises a chosen cause, from climate change and mental health to social justice and global conflict, and features a quote from a relevant historical figure or advocate.
The individual artworks will be brought together in a collective display within the academy, encouraging discussion and reflection among the wider school community. Ms Zagloba, Coordinator of Learning for Art, said: “This project challenged students to use art as a voice for change. Through symbolic design and powerful quotations, they’ve created meaningful pieces that reflect both creativity and conviction. I’m incredibly proud of their work.”
Summer Reading Recommendations Now Live
The summer holidays provide an excellent opportunity for students to relax and enjoy a good book. Regular reading supports academic progress and well-being, and offers a chance to explore new ideas and perspectives.
The academy’s updated Reading Recommendations pages feature a wide range of suggested titles for all year groups. Ms Hamilton-Cox, Assistant Principal, said: “Reading over the summer is a great way for students to keep their minds active and enjoy some time for themselves. From gripping fiction to thought-provoking non-fiction, there’s a wide variety of titles to choose from. Whether it’s a classic or something more contemporary, the key is to find a book they genuinely enjoy.”
Community Clinics Offer Teenagers a Second Chance to Get Vaccinated
Teenagers in Greenwich who missed their school vaccinations are being offered another opportunity to get protected, thanks to local catch-up clinics run by the South London Children and Young People’s Community Immunisation Service.
Two clinics will be held during the last week of July, providing easy access to essential immunisations:
- Wednesday, 30 July 2025 – 10:30 to 14:15 at Holy Trinity Church Hall, SE9 2SD
- Thursday, 31 July 2025 – 10:00 to 14:15 at Clock House Community Centre, SE18 5QL
These walk-in clinics are designed to ensure that all young people have the opportunity to stay up to date with their routine vaccinations. No appointment is necessary. For further information, families can contact the immunisation team directly on 020 3903 3345.
LSA Offers Support Resources for the Summer Break
As we start the summer holidays, Leigh Stationers’ Academy remains committed to the well-being of our community, understanding that this period can pose unique challenges. To ensure support is available, we’ve compiled a list of helpful resources and helplines.
Young people aged 10-19 in the Royal Borough of Greenwich can benefit from free summer courses offered by Young Greenwich, covering over 40 areas.
Additional support services include:
- NSPCC: For parent support, call 0808 800 5000.
- Children’s Services: For support in Greenwich, dial 020 8921 3172; in Bexley, 020 3045 5440.
- Action for Children: Offers free advice for parents of children aged 0-19 via Parent Talk.
- In emergencies, contact 999 immediately.
