News and events
Our latest news and events give you an insight into life at school.
Our latest news and events give you an insight into life at school.
Year 11 Weekly Newsletter | Please find the Year 11 Weekly Newsletter from the Year 11 Team here.
Sixth Form Newsletter | Please find the Sixth Form Weekly Newsletter from the Sixth Form Team here.
Fixtures for the Week | The following fixtures are taking place this week:
If you have any questions about the fixtures, please contact Mr Sheehan, Faculty Director for Sports (tsheehan@liftbexleyheath.org).
Celebrating World Religions | 21 September 2026 | Judaism | Yom Kippur | Yom Kippur, known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. It is a solemn day dedicated to prayer, forgiveness and self-reflection.
Many Jewish people observe a 25-hour fast and spend much of the day in synagogue, reflecting on their actions over the past year and seeking forgiveness from both God and others.
Yom Kippur encourages us all to think about personal responsibility, making amends when we make mistakes and striving to become better members of our community.
Inclusion Virtual Events | On Inclusion Drop-ins start again this term. Each appointment will last 15 minutes and will provide families with an opportunity to meet with Mr Atunde, Deputy SENDCo. The dates are as follows:
Appointments are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. Information on booking appointments can be found on the Parents' Evening page of the Academy's website. If you have any questions regarding our Parents' Evening’s, don't hesitate to get in touch with Ms Fisher, Data Manager: dfisher@bexleyheathacademy.org.
Year 07 Virtual Events | Families can book a 15 minute virtual drop-in appointment with Ms Sandra Byfield, Year 07 Pastoral Manager. These sessions are an opportunity to ask questions, discuss any concerns and find out how we can continue supporting your child’s transition into secondary school. The bookings are open from today. The dates are as follows:
Appointments are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. Information on booking appointments can be found on the Parents' Evening page of the Academy's website. If you have any questions regarding our Parents' Evening’s, don't hesitate to get in touch with Ms Fisher, Data Manager: dfisher@bexleyheathacademy.org.
Year 11 Virtual Events | Appointments for our Year 11 virtual drop-in sessions will be available to book from 2.00pm on Saturday 19 September.
Families can book a 15 minute appointment with Ms Ikuesan, Year 11 Group Lead. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the Year 11 journey, discuss your child’s general progress and wellbeing, or seek guidance about the support available during this important year.
Please note that these appointments are for general Year 11 enquiries and will not cover individual subjects.
. The dates are as follows:
Appointments are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. Information on booking appointments can be found on the Parents' Evening page of the Academy's website. If you have any questions regarding our Parents' Evening’s, don't hesitate to get in touch with Ms Fisher, Data Manager: dfisher@bexleyheathacademy.org.
Homework | Our first monitored homework assignments were released on Friday 18 September, and students have until Thursday 24 September to complete and submit their work.
As communicated last academic year, students are responsible for raising any login or technical difficulties promptly. The one week completion period gives students sufficient time to report an issue, seek support and ensure that their homework is completed by the deadline. A login difficulty raised after the deadline will not normally be accepted as a reason for non-completion if the student has not attempted to access support during the week.
Students who need help whether with accessing the platform, understanding a task or completing their work are encouraged to attend one of our homework clubs, where staff will be available to provide support.
Any student who does not complete their homework by the deadline, and has not sought appropriate support in advance, will be issued a correction in line with the school’s homework expectations. We ask families to help by checking that their child has accessed, completed and submitted all assigned work on time.
Extra-Curricular Clubs | We are excited for all clubs to commence on Monday, 21 September and to be starting our new Astronomy Club as we begin preparing for the UK Rocket Challenge in April. In the first few months, students will explore the physics behind how and why rockets fly, before designing and building a smaller-scale rocket to gain practical experience. They will learn about rocket motors, stability, height and safe launching, using the same type of equipment and motor planned for the competition. As the club develops, students will move on to building a larger rocket and designing a recovery system to safely carry and land an egg after launch. We’re looking forward to seeing the students put their ideas into practice, develop their skills and work together as we prepare for the challenge, exploring the world of rockets and space. Join the science team in C210 on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting next week! The extra-curricular timetable can be found here.
What's happening in ICT/Business/Media this week? | This week, our Year 13 Media students have been making excellent progress with their Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) coursework. They have been planning and producing original photographs that will form an important part of their final media products.
During practical sessions, students have experimented with lighting, camera angles, framing and composition to understand how each choice can influence the meaning, mood and impact of an image. They have also considered how their photographs will appeal to their intended audiences and meet the requirements of their chosen media brief.
This work allows students to combine creativity with technical accuracy. It has been fantastic to see them becoming increasingly confident behind the camera, evaluating their work carefully and refining their ideas to achieve a professional finish.
Our Year 11 Digital Information Technology students have made a focused and positive return to lessons. After revisiting key knowledge from previous units, they have begun exploring external threats to digital systems, disaster-recovery procedures and the policies organisations use to protect their information.
Students are learning how threats such as cyberattacks, system failures and data loss can affect an organisation. They are also considering the practical steps businesses can take to reduce risks, respond to incidents and continue operating when problems occur.
These topics are developing students’ understanding of cybersecurity, data protection and risk management, areas that are increasingly important in almost every modern workplace. The Cambridge Technical Level 2 course provides valuable preparation for further study, apprenticeships and careers involving technology, business and digital systems.
Our Year 10 Business students have begun studying Component 1 and are developing their understanding of how businesses are created and operated. They have been exploring business ideas and considering how factors such as customer needs, market demand and effective planning can influence whether an idea is likely to succeed. This gives students an opportunity to apply their learning by generating and evaluating ideas that could potentially be developed into their own projects.
Meanwhile, Year 11 students have been strengthening their examination knowledge and skills. Their recent work has focused on profit and loss accounts, including how businesses record their income, costs and overall financial performance. Students have also been practising how to complete key business documents accurately and interpret financial information.
Across both year groups, students are building the financial awareness, problem-solving skills and commercial understanding needed to succeed in their qualifications and prepare for future study, employment or entrepreneurship.
Safeguarding | County lines | Keeping young people safe | County Lines is a form of criminal exploitation where children and young people may be groomed, coerced or pressured into helping organised criminal groups. Young people may be asked to transport or store drugs, money or other items and can be targeted through promises of money, gifts, status or friendship. Criminal groups may use manipulation, threats or intimidation to maintain control. It is important to remember that young people who become involved may not initially recognise that they are being exploited and may believe they are simply helping a friend or making money, before finding themselves under increasing pressure.
County Lines exploitation can expose young people to a range of risks, including grooming and manipulation, threats and intimidation, being pressured to travel to unfamiliar areas or meet people they do not know, and becoming involved in other forms of criminal or harmful activity. Young people may also experience fear, anxiety or debt and feel unable to ask for help because they are worried about what might happen if they tell someone.
There is no single sign that means a young person is involved in County Lines. However, parents and carers may notice a combination of changes in their child's behaviour or circumstances. These could include becoming increasingly secretive about where they are going or who they are meeting, spending time with new or older friends whose identity or whereabouts are unclear, having unexplained money, gifts, clothing, phones or other possessions, or having access to multiple mobile phones or SIM cards without an obvious reason. Other possible indicators include unexpected journeys or regular travel to unfamiliar areas, changes in attendance or being missing from home or school, becoming anxious, withdrawn or unusually fearful, receiving persistent calls or messages from people they seem uncomfortable discussing, or experiencing a sudden change in behaviour or friendship group.
It is important to remember that these signs can have many different explanations, and the presence of one sign does not mean that a young person is involved in criminal exploitation. What matters is noticing changes, keeping communication open and seeking support if you have concerns. Parents and carers can help by creating opportunities for their child to talk openly and by listening without immediately judging or blaming them. Gentle questions about who they are spending time with, where they are going and whether anyone is making them feel uncomfortable or pressured can help young people feel able to share concerns. It is also important to talk regularly about online friendships and contacts, as grooming can begin online.
If you are concerned that your child may be experiencing criminal exploitation, please contact the school and speak to a member of the safeguarding team. You do not need to be certain that exploitation is taking place before raising a concern. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services.
Our key message to parents and carers is simple: talk early, listen carefully and don't be afraid to ask for help. Young people who are being exploited are victims who need support and protection, and raising a concern early can help ensure that they receive the appropriate support.
If you have any concerns about your child’s safety or wellbeing, please contact the school’s safeguarding team without delay: safeguarding@liftbexleyheath.org. In an emergency, or if you believe a child may be at immediate risk, please contact the police directly. Thank you for your continued support in helping us keep our community safe.
Year 06 Open Evening This Week | What an exciting week it has been at Lift Bexleyheath as we welcomed prospective Year 06 students and their families to our school across two successful Open Evenings.
Families enjoyed guided tours of the school, met our staff and students, visited subject areas and learned more about the curriculum, enrichment opportunities and pastoral support available. They also heard from our Principal about the school’s values, expectations and commitment to ensuring that every student can achieve, belong and thrive.
There were plenty of interactive experiences throughout both evenings. Our Science team brought learning to life with fascinating demonstrations and practical activities across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Families were able to see the exciting scientific knowledge and skills students develop during their time with us.
Our animal exhibit was another highlight of the evenings. Visitors had the opportunity to meet and, in some cases, safely handle a remarkable range of creatures, including a Royal python, White’s tree frog, giant stick insects, a tarantula and a leopard gecko. These memorable encounters gave families a glimpse of the engaging and enriching learning experiences available to our students.
Our canteen team also provided families with an opportunity to sample the high-quality food served at school. The menu included spinach gnocchi, traditional sausage and mash, and a delicious courgette and lemon drizzle cake.
A huge thank you to every member of staff who contributed to the success of the evenings. We are also incredibly proud of the students who embraced this valuable leadership opportunity. Whether they were welcoming visitors, guiding tours, delivering speeches, demonstrating their learning or supporting activities, they represented Lift Bexleyheath with confidence, maturity and pride.
Thank you to all the families who joined us. We hope you enjoyed discovering what makes Lift Bexleyheath such a special place to learn and grow, and we look forward to welcoming many of you into our school community in the future.
We would also like to give a very special shout-out to Jayniga in Year 7, who bravely spoke to our visiting families about her own transition from Year 6 to Year 7. Despite having been part of the Lift Bexleyheath community for only two weeks, Jayniga spoke with remarkable confidence and maturity, sharing her experience and helping prospective students feel reassured about starting secondary school. We are incredibly proud of her courage and the wonderful way she represented our school, and we were delighted to recognise her achievement with a special prize.
Year 06 Transitions Evening This Week | We launch our Open Morning tours (please click here to book), giving prospective families another opportunity to explore our school and find out more about life at Lift Bexleyheath
We’ll also be running our first two subject taster sessions, which can be booked here.
🏅 Sports WOW on Tuesday afternoon
🇪🇸 Spectacular Spanish on Thursday afternoon
If you’d like to speak directly with our Principal, ask any specific questions or simply find out more about our school and what we offer, you can book a virtual meeting with her here.
We look forward to welcoming even more prospective families next week and sharing everything that makes our school such a wonderful place to be!
We Love Reading | A reminder that this week students across years 07-10 will complete their NGRT assessments. The NGRT assessment is a standardised reading assessment which gives us an indication of whether a student is reading at age related expectations and where additional intervention is required we are then able to to provide this. Students with SEND have been completing the test during the course of last week and will continue to do so this week with our inclusion team. As reading is the foundational skill to access the wider curriculum and there is a strong correlation between reading attainment and GCSE outcomes across all subjects, it is important that students are able to read and comprehend at age related expectations.
It is important that students ensure they have fully charged their chromebook and bring the chromebook charger to school each day next week as these assessments will be conducted digitally.
Our reading tip of the week is on decoding unfamiliar words:
Help your child build their vocabulary and reading confidence with this simple two-step strategy when they encounter a tricky or unfamiliar word:
1) Look for Familiar Parts: Check if the word contains a root word, prefix, or suffix they already recognize (for example, identifying "happy" inside "unhappiness").
2) Use Context Clues: Re-read the entire sentence to think about what would make sense in the context of the passage.
Encourage your child to try these steps the next time they pause on a new word when reading at home.
DPR | Dynamic Progress Reporting | At Lift Bexleyheath, we use Dynamic Progress Reporting (DPR) to help families stay informed about their child’s learning and progress across each subject.
DPR provides families with an up-to-date overview of the knowledge and skills their child has secured, as well as the areas they still need to develop. The platform is updated by teachers every two to three weeks, enabling families to monitor progress regularly and have informed conversations with their child about their learning.
To remind yourself about this platform, please see a video to the left from a previous DPR event.
To support families who have not yet used DPR, or who would benefit from a refresher, we will be holding a virtual information evening:
Date: Wednesday 30 September
Time: 18:00 - 18:45
Location: Online
During the session, we will explain how to access DPR, navigate the platform and understand the information it provides.
If you have any questions about DPR, please contact Ms Kobewka, Vice-Principal (skobewka@liftbexleyheath.org). Links to the event will be shared closer to the time.
Free School Meal (FSM) Eligibility | Eligibility for Free School Meals (FSM) has changed, which means your child may now qualify even if they were not previously eligible.
We recently emailed families whose children are not currently recorded as eligible on our school information system. However, we are asking all families, regardless of their current circumstances, to take a few minutes to complete an eligibility check using the link below:
Check your Free School Meal eligibility here
You only need to complete the application once. If your circumstances change in the future and your child becomes eligible, the school will be notified automatically.
Registering for Free School Meals can provide your child with support towards the cost of school meals. It can also generate additional government funding for the school, which helps us provide further educational opportunities and support for our students.
Further information is available through the Free School Meals FAQs here.
Thank you for completing the check and helping us secure the support available for our school community.
Year 11 HPA Information Evening | We are delighted to invite families of our high-attaining Year 11 students to a specialized Virtual Information Evening designed to support high academic achievement during this critical final year.
Invitations and full details have been sent directly via letter to the families of invited students. This session will focus on strategic guidance to help top-performing students maximize their potential, manage revision effectively and prepare for competitive post-16 pathways.
Masterclasses | Expanding Minds Beyond the Classroom | We are thrilled to announce the return of our Morning Masterclass Series, a sequence of engaging, early bird sessions designed to stretch curiosity, spark debate and dive deep into fascinating topics outside the everyday curriculum.
Whether your child wants to build advanced knowledge for the future or simply loves discovering how the world works, these masterclasses offer the perfect head start to the day.
The first one is on invasive species in nature. As always, they are at 08:00 on Wednesday in the Downstairs Hall.
What's been happening in Mathematics this week? | We want to first start off by telling you that we have been celebrating the best Mathematics outcomes the school has ever had in our 2026 results. Our strong final results are the culmination of hard work at every stage, built on solid fundamentals. Through our curriculum, we provide a firm foundation as students progress, with Key Stage 3 serving as the powerhouse for future achievement. This year, we are launching several targeted interventions running alongside regular lessons to support students who need it most, helping to close learning gaps and strengthen core understanding. Families can support this effort by ensuring your child regularly completes their Sparx Maths tasks and written homework.
Inside Our Classrooms
Our Mathematics team had a fantastic time welcoming Year 6 students and their families this week. Visitors had the opportunity to take part in a selection of the engaging mathematical games and challenges that we use with students at Key Stage 3.
The activities encouraged students and their families to think logically, identify patterns, solve problems and explain their reasoning. They also demonstrated how our Mathematics lessons combine challenge, collaboration and enjoyment while helping students develop confidence and fluency with numbers.
It was wonderful to see families working together, testing different strategies and enjoying some friendly competition. The sessions offered prospective students an exciting introduction to Mathematics at Lift Bexleyheath and showed how we support every student to become a confident, resilient and successful mathematician.
Safeguarding | Bicycle Safety | We are increasingly concerned about the number of students cycling to and from school without wearing a bicycle helmet. Although cycling is an excellent way for students to remain active and travel independently, their safety must always come first.
A properly fitted helmet helps to protect the head and can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury if a cyclist falls or is involved in a collision. We are therefore asking all families to ensure that any child who cycles to school has a suitable helmet and wears it correctly throughout their journey.
From Monday 02 November, any student who arrives at school with a bicycle but without a helmet will not be permitted to take the bicycle home themselves. The bicycle will be stored securely at school until it can be collected by a parent or carer. This action will be repeated on every occasion that a student arrives with a bicycle without wearing a helmet.
Families have until Sunday 01 November to purchase a suitable bicycle helmet and ensure that their child understands the importance of wearing it for every journey.
When purchasing and fitting a helmet, please ensure that it:
We understand that purchasing a helmet may present a financial difficulty for some families. If you require support, please contact your child’s Pastoral Manager. We will treat all enquiries sensitively and support families wherever possible.
Thank you for working with us to keep our students safe on their journeys to and from school.
Safeguarding | Supporting Young People Outside of School | Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students is a responsibility shared by the school, families and the wider community. Young people can experience many pressures, including schoolwork, friendships, family circumstances, social media and worries about their future. At times, these challenges can feel overwhelming.
Changes in a young person’s behaviour can sometimes indicate that they need additional support. Families may notice that their child has become more withdrawn, anxious, irritable or tearful; is experiencing changes in their sleep or appetite; has lost interest in activities they previously enjoyed; or is finding it difficult to attend school, concentrate or manage everyday routines.
If you are concerned, try to find a calm and private time to talk. Listen without judgement, reassure your child that they are not alone and avoid feeling that you must immediately have all the answers. Asking directly how they are feeling and what support they need can be an important first step. Families can also contact their child’s Pastoral Manager or the Safeguarding Team if they would like to discuss concerns or explore the support available through school. For further support outside of school, please see below:
If a young person is in immediate danger, has seriously harmed themselves or may harm somebody else, call 999 or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency department immediately.
Seeking help is a sign of strength. No young person or family should feel that they have to manage mental health difficulties alone.
Medical Appointments | We would like to remind parents and carers of our expectations regarding medical and other appointments during the school day.
Wherever possible, we ask parents and carers not to book routine medical, dental or other appointments during the school day. We appreciate that some appointments are outside of families control, however, where there is a choice, appointment should be arranged outside school hours preferably after school or during the school holidays and half term breaks.
Every lesson matters. When when a student leaves school for an appointment, even for a relatively short period, they may miss important teaching, explanations, practical work or opportunities to practice and consolidate their learning.
We therefore ask for your support in protecting your child's learning time by keeping appointments during the day to an absolute minimum.
For safeguarding reasons, students in Year 07, 08, 09 and 10 will not be permitted to leave the school site alone to attend a medical appointment. They must be collected by a responsible adult.
If the person collecting your child is not the primary parent or guardian, the school must be notified by the parent or guardian at least 24 hours in advance. Please provide the full name of the adults who will be collecting your child and their relationship to them.
The adult you nominated will also be required to show photographic identification when collecting the student.
Students in Years 11, 12 and 13 may be permitted to leave the school site independently for an appointment, in accordance with the school's usual procedures.
Canteen Items Cost List | We have published an updated price list for the food and drinks available from our school canteen. Families can view the latest prices here.
We encourage families to review the price list with their child so that students understand the cost of the items available and can make informed choices when purchasing food during the school day.
Please also ensure that your child has sufficient funds available on their canteen account before making a purchase. If you have any questions about canteen payments or the updated prices, please contact the school.
Please find the canteen menu for this week below.
Lift Bexleyheath
Woolwich Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7DA
