Latest News Updates | Friday, 28 March 2025

British Science Week: Animal Encounters and Evolutionary Insights

Last week, Leigh Stationers’ Academy celebrated British Science Week with a series of engaging events and workshops, designed to inspire curiosity and creativity among its students. A key highlight of the week was the annual two-day animal workshop, organised and conducted by Mr Elboury, STEM Coordinator and Science Teacher. Aligned with the theme “Change and Adapt,” the workshop provided students with valuable insights into evolutionary processes through an informative presentation featuring a diverse array of live animals.

Over 1,200 students from Years 7 to 13 participated, engaging closely with a variety of animals, including dwarf monitors, tegus, snakes, tortoises, meerkats, and more. This year’s event was the largest and most diverse in the school’s history. Mr Flower, Vice Principal, said: “Mr Elboury’s workshops were excellent. It was fantastic to see our pupils engaging with such a range of different species. This not only brought their learning to life but also allowed many to face their fears.”

Young Enterprise Group “Tag a Tail” Advances to London Finals

Tag a Tail, a team of pupils from Woolf College at Leigh Stationers’ Academy, has qualified for the London finals of the Young Enterprise competition after taking part in the recent trade fair at Greenwich Market. The students showcased their product, dog toys made from recycled denim, which they designed, produced, and marketed.

The group achieved a complete sell-out of their rope toys, which were manufactured at the school, demonstrating their ability to manage production and sales. Kate Topping, Educational and Partnership Manager for the South East of England, commended the team for having “simply the best customer service and team spirit.”

The experience provided the students with practical insights into entrepreneurship. The group, led by Managing Director Mia-Hunie, will now proceed to the London finals in April.

Year 9 Options Process: Key Events and Next Steps

On Monday, 24 March 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy hosted a live webinar to support students and families in understanding the Year 9 Options Process. The session provided key information about subject choices for Key Stage 4, including guidance on the selection process and upcoming events. For those who were unable to attend, a full recording of the webinar is now available on YouTube. A reminder of the key events in the Year 9 Options Process can be found below:

Year 9 Options Week – Friday, 28 March to Thursday, 3 April 2025

Throughout this week, students will take part in subject taster lessons during their regular classes. Each subject will provide one lesson at Key Stage 4 level, allowing students to explore course content, expectations, and required skills. This experience will help guide their final choices.

Year 9 Options Evening – Thursday, 3 April 2025 (17:00-19:00)

This in-person event offers parents, carers, and students the chance to speak directly with subject teachers, curriculum leaders, and senior staff about the courses on offer. It is an opportunity to explore subject content, career pathways, and the suitability of different courses.

Year 9 Options Taster Sessions – Friday, 4 April 2025

Students will participate in an additional taster day for subjects that are not currently part of their Year 9 curriculum. This ensures they have exposure to all potential options before finalising their choices.

Options Submission – Friday, 4 April 2025

Following the taster sessions, a Google Form will be sent to parents and carers, allowing them to submit students’ final option choices over the Easter break. “Choosing GCSE options is a significant milestone in every student’s academic journey, and we want to ensure they feel confident and well-informed about their choices,” said Ms Collier, Vice Principal. “The upcoming events will provide valuable insights into each subject, helping students explore their strengths, interests, and future aspirations. We encourage all families to take full advantage of the resources and opportunities available, as these decisions will help shape the next stage of their education.” Further information about each of these events will be published in future Latest News Page updates.

Reminder: Year 11 & 13 Easter Intervention Schedule

With Easter approaching, Leigh Stationers’ Academy has planned a schedule of intervention sessions during the break to support Year 11 & 13 students in their final preparations before the summer examinations in May. 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.

Year 11 Schedule

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. 

	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

Year 13 Schedule

	Monday, 7 April	Tuesday, 8 April	Wednesday, 9 April	Thursday, 10 April	Friday, 11 April
8:30-10:30	Geography Law BTEC PE (Y13) Photography Film Studies Maths Psychology Health & Social Care	Art Biology Maths BTEC PE (Y12)	Drama Economics Health & Social Care		Computer Science
11:00-13:00	Geography Law Photography Film Studies Psychology Health and Social Care	Chemistry Art Maths	Health & Social Care		Computer Science

During the final week of Module 4, students will receive updated Question Level Analyses (QLAs), identifying their strengths and areas for improvement across all examination papers. These QLAs will serve as a guide for focused revision. Students are also reminded of the Academy’s dedicated revision websites (click here for Year 11, and here for Year 13), which provides resources to support independent study.

The Academy reiterates the importance of consistent attendance and punctuality, emphasising that maintaining at least 95% attendance in the lead-up to examinations is crucial for achieving optimal results.

Supporting Year 11 and Year 13 Wellbeing During Exam Season

As students in Year 11 and Year 13 prepare for their upcoming summer examinations, Leigh Stationers’ Academy recognises that this period can be particularly demanding. To support students and their families, a letter has been sent to all parents and carers outlining a range of resources designed to help manage exam-related stress.

One valuable resource is Kooth, which offers free online mental health support and guidance. Their upcoming sessions cover a variety of helpful topics, including:

• Dr Jeri from Kooth’s Clinical Team discussing stress
• Recognising the signs and symptoms of exam stress
• Understanding how stress can be beneficial
• Practical strategies to manage stress effectively
• Learning the STOP technique to stay calm and focused
• Parents and carers can register for these sessions using the link provided in the letter.

Additionally, both Year 11 and Year 13 students have now received their mock exam reports and scores. These results will support final applications for sixth form, college, apprenticeships, or university, helping students to make informed decisions about their next steps.

“We know how challenging the exam season can be, and it’s completely normal for students to feel overwhelmed at times,” said Mr Spark, Assistant Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead. “I encourage all our Year 11 and Year 13 students to make the most of the support and resources available. Whether it’s talking to a trusted adult, accessing online help like Kooth, or simply taking time to look after your wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here for you every step of the way.”

Silver Award Reward Trips: Oxygen at the O2

Next week, students who achieved the Bronze Award in Module 2 and have maintained excellent attendance and behaviour will be rewarded with a trip to Oxygen at the O2. These Silver Award Reward Trips include a free jumping session at the trampoline park, as well as time to relax and socialise in the O2 Arena, with access to a range of food and drink options.

Students attending the trip have received a letter outlining the full details. Students should note that school uniform is not required on the day of their trip. Instead, they should wear comfortable, sensible clothing suitable for physical activity. Chromebooks should not be brought to school on the day of the trip.

Trip Schedule:

• Tuesday 1 April: Caxton College (Years 7–9)
• Wednesday 2 April: Year 10 – Caxton, Angelou & Hansard Colleges
• Thursday 3 April: Angelou College (Years 8–9) & Hansard College (Year 9)
• Friday 4 April: Hansard College (Years 7–8), Angelou College (Year 7) & Equiano College

“We’re delighted that over 600 pupils have qualified for the Silver Reward Trip by maintaining exceptional attendance and behaviour for four consecutive modules,” said Mr Hill, Assistant Principal. “This is the highest number of pupils we’ve ever had progress to our Silver Reward Trip, and we look forward to seeing how many go on to achieve Gold in Module 6.”

Caxton College Students Meet the Alpacas

On Tuesday, 25 March 2025, a group of Year 7–9 students from Caxton College visited Lower Alpaca Farm as part of an enrichment opportunity, accompanied by Ms Blayney, PE Teacher, and Ms Seamons, Student Services Manager.

The visit included feeding pygmy goats and other farm animals before students took part in an alpaca walk through the countryside. The trip offered students the chance to interact with animals, learn about farm life, and enjoy time outdoors.

Ms Blayney, Trip Leader, commented: “Special thanks go to Millie P, Sienna G, Evie P, Sophia L, and Ronav B, Haaris E, and Alex D for making the trip such a success. The students quickly formed bonds with their woolly companions – and several joked they would have brought one back if the minibus had been bigger! It was a fantastic afternoon, thoroughly enjoyed by all, and we’re already looking forward to planning a return visit.”

Dance Extravaganza 2025 Showcases Talent Across Schools

On Wednesday, 26 and Thursday, 27 March 2025, Leigh Stationers’ Academy held its annual Dance Extravaganza, featuring a range of performances from students across the academy and local primary schools.

The event included contributions from Dance Leaders, BTEC dancers, and lower school dance groups. Pupils from Gordon, Wyborne, Montbelle and Henwick Primary Schools also took part, joining academy students on stage to present a series of choreographed routines.

The two-night event provided students with an opportunity to showcase their work to families and staff, highlighting the strength of the performing arts within the academy and its wider community.

Mr Sparks, Principal, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the primary schools for their continued engagement and support – it was a joy to see their pupils performing with such confidence and enthusiasm. I’d also like to thank our brilliant Dance Leaders, Ms Melia and Ms Pleckinger, and everyone who contributed to making the event such a success. The arts play a vital role in our school community, and events like this create lasting memories for our students and their families. It was a truly special couple of evenings.”

Weekly Sports Fixtures

Cross Country Success at LAT Competition

Students from Leigh Stationers’ Academy delivered an impressive performance at the LAT Cross Country Competition, held at Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School. The event marked the final fixture of the season and saw pupils from across Years 7 to 10 competing against schools from across the Leigh Academies Trust.

The academy’s Cross Country Squad demonstrated strong teamwork, determination and consistency, resulting in a 1st place finish for the Girls’ Team and a 2nd place finish for the Boys’ Team. There were also several notable individual performances:

• Ava-Grace W (Year 10) – 1st place
• Grace W (Year 9) – 2nd place
• Archie D (Year 10) – 1st place
• Vir S (Year 10) – 2nd place
• Alex H (Year 9) – 1st place
• Austin R (Year 9) – 2nd place

“The results are a testament to the commitment, resilience and hard work our students have shown throughout the season,” said Ms Blayney, PE Teacher. “They’ve trained in all conditions, supported one another, and truly earned every success—I’m incredibly proud of them all.”

Bexley Music Easter Courses 2025: Orchestral & Keyboard Opportunities

Bexley Music will be offering two Easter courses on Monday, 7 April and Tuesday, 8 April 2025, from 10:00 to 14:00. The courses, priced at £30, are open to both Bexley Music students and non-Bexley Music students who are currently in Years 3-8, are receiving musical tuition, and possess musical literacy ranging from beginner to Grade 2 level.

The courses available are:

• Beginner to Grade 2 Orchestral Course
• Beginner to Grade 2 Keyboard Course – Please note that this course is currently fully booked. Prospective participants will be placed on a waiting list.

Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the following link for further details and registration. 

PSHE Update: Supporting Personal Development Across Years 7-10

In Module 4, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education at Leigh Stationers’ Academy will 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 begin preparations for 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: Appropriate Online Content
• Year 8: Online Content & Consent
• Year 9:  Online Image Sharing & The Law
• Year 10: Unifrog Skills Quiz

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 and Post-16 Guidance

As Year 11 students focus on preparing for their summer examinations, weekly careers and opportunities sessions during tutor time have now concluded. However, information, advice and opportunities will continue to be shared regularly via the Year 11 Google Classroom.

Students are encouraged to explore the following resources and events:

• Careers Newsletter – Edition 25: This edition highlights Neurodiversity Celebration Week, featuring panel discussions and events that promote awareness and inclusion. It also includes information on careers in horticulture and details of subject taster sessions available at Oxford Brookes University.
• Job of the Week – Arborist: Students can explore the skills and qualifications required to pursue a career in arboriculture.
• Career Day Choices: A series of virtual career day sessions covering fields such as Medicine, Dentistry, Midwifery, Law, Psychology, Veterinary Science and Business. These events offer career insights, university guidance, and virtual work experience. Sign-up links are available via the Year 11 Google Classroom.
• Young Professionals in Law – Insight Day: A virtual event taking place on Tuesday, 15 April during the Easter break, offering students a deeper understanding of careers in the legal sector. Further details and enrolment links are available on the Google Classroom.
• North West Kent and Hadlow College Assembly: Representatives from both colleges visited the academy on Friday, 21 March to speak with students about the wide range of courses and opportunities available. Students interested in learning more are encouraged to visit the colleges’ websites for further information and support.

Year 11 students seeking personalised careers guidance are encouraged to book a one-to-one appointment with Ms Saif, Careers Advisor, by emailing shaina.saif@stationers.latrust.org.uk.