Latest News Page Updates | Friday, 7 March 2025

Parents’ Evenings at Leigh Stationers’ Academy

Year 7 Parents’ Evening Success

Leigh Stationers’ Academy hosted the Year 7 Parents’ Evening on Wednesday, 6 March 2025, with over 95% of parents and carers attending the face-to-face event. The evening provided a valuable opportunity for families to meet with teachers, discuss their child’s academic progress, and explore ways to support their learning.

Reflecting on the success of the evening, Mr Sparks, Principal, said: “It was fantastic to see such high levels of engagement from our community at Year 7 Parents’ Evening. The strong turnout highlights the commitment of our parents and carers in supporting their children’s education. We appreciate the insightful conversations and feedback shared, which help us continue to strengthen our partnership with families.”

Appointments were booked quickly, and we appreciate the patience of those who used the waiting list system. If you were unable to book an appointment, please reach out to your child’s college team for feedback:

• Angelou College: Angelou@stationers.latrust.org.uk
• Caxton College: Caxton@stationers.latrust.org.uk
• Hansard College: Hansard@stationers.latrust.org.uk
• Equiano College: Equiano@stationers.latrust.org.uk

Thank you to all parents and carers who attended and for your valuable feedback—we look forward to continuing to work together to support our students.

Year 9 Parents’ Evening – Wednesday, 19 March 2025

The Year 9 Parents’ Evening will take place on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, from 16:00 to 19:00. This event provides a chance to meet subject teachers and discuss academic progress as students move towards Key Stage 4. The booking system opens on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, at 19:00, and closes at 12:00 on the day of the event. Parents and carers should secure appointments early via the academy’s designated booking site. For assistance with either event, please contact Ms Holland, PA to the Principal, at gabrielle.holland@stationers.latrust.org.uk.

Mock Examinations for Years 11 & 13

Students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy have made an excellent start to their Year 11 and Year 13 mock examinations, demonstrating commitment and maturity. With one week completed, students have engaged fully with the process and are making the most of this vital preparation for their final assessments.

Year 11 Mocks: Strong Attendance and Exemplary Conduct

Attendance has been exceptional at 97%, with students showing a positive and focused approach throughout. Participation in warm-up sessions has also been high, with 75 percent of students attending. These sessions provide essential last-minute guidance, and all students are encouraged to continue attending in the final week.

Reflecting on the students’ performance so far, Mr Flower, Vice Principal, said: “Year 11 students have approached these mock examinations with determination and focus. Their outstanding attendance and conduct have been a credit to them, and with continued effort and support, they are well-prepared to achieve their best results.”

Year 13 Mocks: Preparation and Revision Support

For Year 13 students, a dedicated revision site has been made available, providing access to subject specifications, past papers, detailed course content, and career progression information. This platform allows students to consolidate their learning and prepare effectively for their assessments.

Teachers are also running warm-up sessions before each exam, offering expert guidance and subject-specific advice to build confidence and reinforce key skills. Students are strongly encouraged to make full use of these opportunities.

Final Week Reminders: Equipment and Preparation

To ensure a smooth examination process, students must bring the correct equipment:

• Black pens (multiple, as black ink is mandatory)
• Pencils and a clear ruler
• A scientific calculator (if required)
• A clear pencil case
• A water bottle with the label removed
• No mobile phones or smart devices are permitted in the exam hall

Parental Support – How to Help

Mock examinations provide a valuable opportunity for students to experience formal assessments and identify areas for improvement before their final GCSE and A-Level exams. The academy appreciates the continued support of parents and carers in helping students succeed.

Year 11 Easter Intervention Schedule

With Easter approaching, Leigh Stationers’ Academy has planned a schedule of intervention sessions during the break to support Year 11 students in their final preparations before the summer examinations in May. All students are expected to attend the whole cohort sessions running on Monday and Tuesday for Maths, English and Science as well as all History students on Thursday.

These sessions will be held in Week 1 of the Easter holidays, allowing students to balance in-school revision, independent study, and rest before returning for Module 5 and the exam season. The full schedule can be found below, and pupils and parents will receive a bespoke letter detailing their targeted sessions in due course. 

	Monday, 7 April	Tuesday, 8 April	Wednesday, 9 April	Thursday, 10 April	Friday, 11 April
8:30-10:30	Maths Foundation Geography	Science Foundation English	GCSE PE Business Economics	History
11:00-13:00	Maths Higher Geography Art DT Foo	Science Higher Physics Triple English	VCERT PE Business	Computer Science
13:30-15:30	Art DT Food Spanish Psychology	Photo DT

Important Changes to Academy Uniform from September 2025

Leigh Stationers’ Academy will be making important updates to the school uniform policy from September 2025. Parents and carers are encouraged to review the details outlined in the official letter here to ensure students are prepared for the upcoming changes.

World Book Day 2025: Celebrating a Love of Reading

Leigh Stationers’ Academy marked World Book Day 2025 on Thursday, 6 March 2025, with a series of engaging activities designed to celebrate reading and inspire a love of literature across all year groups. Many staff embraced the spirit of the day, dressing up as famous literary characters and bringing books to life for students. 

Key Stage 3 pupils enjoyed creating their own ‘Reading Rivers’ during tutor time, reflecting on books that have shaped their lives and sharing recommendations with their peers. In Years 7-10, students took part in ‘Drop Everything and Read’, where each lesson began with the opening of a novel, encouraging them to explore new stories beyond the classroom.

The academy also launched the LAT ‘Create a Book’ competition, open to all year groups. This exciting initiative provides students with the opportunity to develop their writing skills and creativity, with a submission deadline of Tuesday, 22 April 2025.

MYP Coffee Morning Success

Leigh Stationers’ Academy was delighted to welcome over 30 parents and carers to the IB MYP Coffee Morning on Wednesday, 5 March 2025. The session provided valuable insights into the MYP assessment and reporting process, equipping families with a better understanding of how student progress is measured within the framework.

The morning featured a detailed presentation on how reports are structured, followed by discussions that showcased the strong engagement and commitment of our school community. Parents also had the opportunity to connect with staff and fellow parents while gaining practical guidance on supporting their child’s learning journey.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such an informative session. A video/voice-over version of the slides can be accessed here, and a direct link to the slides can be found here.

Exciting Opportunity: LSA Ski Trip 2026

Leigh Stationers’ Academy is exploring the possibility of running a school ski trip in 2026 for students currently in Years 9, 10, and 11. This trip would be an unforgettable opportunity for students to develop their skiing skills, experience an international adventure, and create lasting memories with their peers.

Provisional Trip Details:

• Destination: La Plagne, France
• Dates: 28 March – 4 April 2026 (8 days, 7 nights)
• Accommodation: Full board, including hot lunch
• Skiing Package:
  • 4 hours of ski tuition per day (for 6 days)
  • 6-day ski lift pass
  • Ski equipment rental (skis, boots, helmet)
• Travel: Return flights, UK & overseas airport transfers
• Extras: Evening activities (e.g. bowling) + ski trip hoodie
• Estimated Cost: £1,870 per pupil

At this stage, we are gauging interest to assess the feasibility of running the trip. If your child would be interested in attending, please complete our Expression of Interest form here by Wednesday, 12 March 2025. Completing the form does not commit you to the trip at this stage, but it will help us determine whether we can proceed. For any questions, please contact: Mr S Smith – Stephen.Smith@stationers.latrust.org.uk or Ms K Edwards – Katy.Edwards@stationers.latrust.org.uk.

Weekly Sports Fixtures

Year 10 Kent Rugby 7s

The Year 10 Rugby 7s team competed in the Kent Rugby 7s tournament, showing determination and resilience in a highly competitive group.

Results:

• Norton Knatchbull 15-0 LSA
• Canterbury Academy 5-0 LSA
• LSA 5-0 Rainham Mark
• LSA 7-7 Wilmington GS

The team placed 3rd in their group, demonstrating impressive teamwork and effort throughout.

• Squad: A. May, A. Dewhurst, H. Shurmer, S. Franklin, T. Yeates, B. Green, J. Hilliker, T. Norris, V. Lock, D. Musa, K. Worrell, S. Leachman, J. Lloyd
• Try Scorers: V. Lock (1), S. Leachman (1)
• Players of the Tournament: J. Hilliker, S. Franklin

Year 9 LAT Rugby 7s

The Year 9 LAT Rugby 7s team performed exceptionally well in their tournament, making it through to the Finals after an impressive run in the group stages.

Group Stage Results:

• LSA 25-5 Mascalls 
• LSA 15-10 Blackheath 
• LSA 15-0 Hugh Christie 
• LSA 10-15 Tonbridge 
• LSA 0-35 SJWMS 
• LSA 15-0 Rainham 
• LSA 20-0 HOH 

Final: LSA 0-20 SJWMS 

Squad: A. Richards, C. Cruz, T. Edwards, B. Grimes, L. Burns, M. Gallagher, J. Malia, L. Colley, K. Philips, J. Truss, H. Lamb, H. Roberts

Commenting on the event, Mr Soan, PE Teacher, said: “The team showcased strong performances, impressive teamwork, and resilience throughout the tournament, reflecting their hard work and preparation.”

PSHE Update: Supporting Personal Development Across Years 7-10 

In Module 4, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education at Leigh Stationers’ Academy will continue to focus on key aspects of online safety for students in Years 7–9, helping them develop a deeper understanding of responsible online communication, the importance of protecting personal information, and how UK laws and regulations work to keep individuals safe online.

Meanwhile, Year 10 students will continue to focus on their work experience placements later in the academic year. This will involve researching opportunities, developing key employability skills, and understanding professional expectations in the workplace.

Each session is designed to encourage critical thinking and skill development. This week’s topics include:

• Year 7: Internet Safety
• Year 8: Cyberbullying
• Year 9: Personal Data Protection
• Year 10: CV Writing

Parents and carers are encouraged to continue these conversations at home, discussing online safety or work experience preparation to help reinforce students’ understanding of these important topics.

Year 11 Career Opportunities 

Year 11 career guidance sessions will resume in Week 4 following the conclusion of the mock examinations. In the meantime, students are encouraged to explore the resources and opportunities below:

• Careers Newsletter, Edition 22 – This edition highlights careers in sports, including roles beyond football, such as coaching, sports science, and sports media. It also provides insights into university courses in Sport and Exercise Science and work experience opportunities within Premier League Clubs.
• Job of the Week: Sports Coach – Students can explore the skills and pathways available within this industry.
• Barclays Lifeskills – This platform provides resources on employability skills, CV writing, exam preparation, and job applications. Students can personalise their experience by selecting topics such as “I want to build my confidence,” “I want to apply for jobs,” or “I want to choose my next step.”

Year 11 students who have not yet attended a one-to-one careers meeting and would like support with their post-16 decisions can book an appointment with our careers advisor, Ms Saif, at shaina.saif@stationers.latrust.org.uk.

National Careers Week 2025: Inspiring Future Pathways

As part of National Careers Week 2025, students at Leigh Stationers’ Academy have explored the vast range of career opportunities linked to each of their subjects. Across Years 7-10 and Year 12, students took part in career-focused lessons, gaining insight into different professions, potential salary expectations, and the day-to-day responsibilities of various roles.

Through these sessions, students explored how they could pursue careers as film producers in Media, exhibition curators or graphic designers in Art, engineers or forensic scientists in Science, and lawyers, soldiers, or researchers in History, among many other fields.

Commenting on the week, Ms Collier, Head of Woolf College, said: “The week provided a valuable opportunity for students to consider their future aspirations, understand the pathways available to them, and see how their current studies connect to the world of work. We hope they have been inspired by these insights into the many possibilities their education can lead to.”

Careers Across the Curriculum – Parent Volunteers Wanted

As part of our commitment to broadening students’ career awareness, Leigh Stationers’ Academy is inviting parents and carers who would be willing to share their professional experiences with students.

Hearing firsthand from professionals about different careers, skills required, and pathways available can inspire and guide students as they explore their future career options. We would love to invite parents to speak in a morning assembly about their profession and the opportunities available in their field.

If you would like to participate or learn more, please contact our careers advisor, Ms Saif, at shaina.saif@stationers.latrust.org.uk. We look forward to welcoming parents into school and hearing about their career journeys!

Work Experience Reminders for Years 10 & 12

Students in Years 10 and 12 will participate in two weeks of external work experience from Monday, 7 July to Friday, 18 July 2025. This programme is designed to provide valuable insight into the world of work, helping students develop essential skills and explore career pathways.

• Work Experience Information Evening Recording: Parents and students can watch the recorded guidance session here for information on sourcing placements and preparing for the experience.
• Unifrog Submission Deadline: Students must enter their placements into Unifrog by Friday, 23 May 2025. A video guide on how to complete this process is available here and has also been shared in Google Classrooms.
• Need Support? Students who would like help finding placements can book a one-to-one meeting with the careers advisor via the link in their Google Classroom.