News and events

Our latest news and events give you an insight into life at school.

Term 01 | Week 03

Year 11 Weekly Newsletter | Please find the Year 11 Newsletter here.

Year 06 Transitions Events | Our Year 06 Transitions events for the September 2026 intake start this half term. All information regarding these events can be found here.

Fixtures Next Week | The sports fixtures for next week are:

  • Monday | Year 08 Football | Girls' | HOME | 15:00 - 16:30
  • Friday | Year 09 Football | Girls' | AWAY | 15:30 - 17:00

Families would have been contacted if their child is involved in a fixture. If you have any question about the fixtures, please contact Mr Sheehan, Faculty Director for Sports (tsheehan@liftbexleyheath.org).

Year 10 Pastoral Manager Update | For the remainder of this half-term, Ms Crawley will be away from the school. In her absence, the following staff members will be the key contacts for Year 10:

  • Ms Kelly | Family Liaison Officer | kdelly@liftbexleyheath.org
  • Ms Caba | Year 10 Student Success Leader | acaba@liftbexleyheath.org
  • Ms Ikuesan | Year 10 Year Group Lead | mikuesan@liftbexleyheath.org
  • Mr Kirby | Year 09 & Year 10 Assistant Principal | jkirby@liftbexleyheath.org

Safety Notice | We want to make you aware of an incident that took place on Old Road, Crayford, where a primary aged child reported being approached and grabbed by a man, possibly linked to a nearby van. Thankfully, no harm came to the child, and the police are now investigating. This week, we have spoken directly to all students to remind them about the importance of keeping themselves safe when travelling to and from school.

We ask families to support this by:

  • Talking to your child about staying alert and aware of their surroundings.
  • Encouraging children to walk with friends or trusted adults where possible, especially if walking longer distances.
  • Reminding children not to speak to or approach strangers and to move to a safe place immediately if they feel unsafe.
  • Reporting any suspicious behaviour to the police via 101, or 999 if there is an immediate risk.
  • To come straight to school in the morning and avoid handing around the broadway or local community. To straight home afterschool.

The local Safer Neighbourhood Officers will also be carrying out reassurance visits near the area and surrounding schools.

Thank you for working with us to help keep all of our children safe.

Year 06 | Art Attack Workshop | This week, we were delighted to welcome Year 06 students and their families to our Art Attack Workshop, part of a series of special events designed to help families get to know our school and feel confident in making this important next step decision.

In the workshop, students rolled up their sleeves and immersed themselves in the vibrant world of watercolour painting. Guided by our art staff, they experimented with techniques such as wet-on-wet blending, creating washes, layering colours, and adding fine detail with brush control. Many students explored themes from nature, painting landscapes, flowers, and abstract designs that reflected their own creativity.

The atmosphere in the art room was full of energy and imagination. Students not only enjoyed the chance to express themselves but also discovered how art can be both relaxing and challenging. For many, it was a moment to try something new, build confidence in their artistic skills, and see what it feels like to be part of our school’s creative community.

Families had the chance to see their children engaged, focused, and proud of their work, an inspiring glimpse of the opportunities that await them here.

One parent remarked, “It was lovely to see how supportive the staff were and how much fun the students had while learning new skills.” Another added, “This workshop really showed us the kind of nurturing, creative environment this school offers.”

The Art Attack Workshop was not just about painting; it was about connection, creativity, and giving Year 06 families a real sense of what makes our school such a special place to learn and grow.

Girls' Football Success | Our Year 08 & 09 girls’ football team have kicked off the season in fantastic style, securing two impressive wins from their opening matches!

In the Kent Cup, the girls dominated against Harris Beckenham with an incredible 6–0 victory, showing just how strong and determined they are on the pitch. They then carried their momentum into the English Schools’ Cup, where they battled hard to defeat James Allen’s Girls’ School 2–0 in a brilliant display of skill and teamwork.

As always, the team impressed with their team spirit, technical ability, and outstanding sportsmanship, a real credit to the school. Special congratulations go to our goal-scorers: Bella T (Year 08), Isabelle F (Year 09), and Sophie M (Year 09), whose finishing helped secure these fantastic results.

With such a strong start, the team are definitely ones to watch this season, well done, girls!

Careers | Lovell | This week, we were delighted to welcome Lovell, a leading provider of innovative residential construction and regeneration projects across England, Scotland, and Wales, to our school. Their visit gave students from Year 07 to Year 13 a valuable insight into the diverse and rewarding career paths available within the construction industry.

Through engaging presentations, students learned about the wide range of roles within the sector, spanning everything from engineering and project management to design, sustainability, and skilled trades. A particular focus was placed on apprenticeships, which offered students practical examples of how they can gain professional qualifications while earning valuable hands-on experience. This helped students understand alternative pathways into the workplace beyond traditional university routes.

Students also took part in a collaborative tower-building competition, which encouraged them to apply creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, key qualities that are essential in both construction and many other industries. Activities like this allowed students to experience first-hand how communication and collaboration are vital in real-world projects.

Opportunities like these are an important part of our careers education, as they help students broaden their horizons, link classroom learning to future opportunities, and make more informed decisions about their education and career pathways. By hearing directly from professionals, students gain not only industry knowledge but also the inspiration and confidence to explore careers they may not have previously considered.

Antisocial Behaviour | This week, we have been speaking to all students about the importance of positive behaviour both inside and outside of school. Part of this has focused on antisocial behaviour, what it is, why it is harmful, and the consequences it carries.

Antisocial behaviour refers to actions that cause distress, alarm, or nuisance to others in the community. This can include things such as vandalism, littering, verbal abuse, intimidating behaviour, or disrupting public spaces. Even seemingly small actions can have a big impact on how safe and respected others feel in their neighbourhoods.

We want to make it clear to families that if a student is caught taking part in antisocial behaviour outside of the academy, whether in school uniform or not, they will face sanctions in school. When students are a part of Lift Bexleyheath, they are representing the academy at all times, and their actions reflect directly on our whole school community.

Our mission goes beyond academic success. At Lift Bexleyheath, we aim to support our students to become responsible, respectful, and kind young people who make a positive difference in the world. This week’s education around antisocial behaviour ensures that every student understands what is expected of them. Therefore, there is no excuse for poor behaviour in the community.

We ask for the support of parents and carers in reinforcing this message at home. Together, we can help our young people make the right choices and contribute positively to our community.

Masterclasses | Expanding Minds Beyond the Classroom | This week, over 70 students had their thinking stretched and their curiosity sparked during a fascinating masterclass on paradoxes. From mathematical puzzles to philosophical dilemmas and even linguistic twists, students were challenged to look at problems from fresh perspectives, and many even brought along paradoxes of their own to share!

These masterclasses are a vital part of our enrichment programme, giving students the opportunity to dive into ideas beyond the school curriculum. By exploring big concepts and challenging questions, students not only deepen their subject knowledge but also develop critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual curiosity, skills that will benefit them in both their studies and future careers.

We’re already looking forward to next week’s session, when Mr Uwaechi will be unlocking the secrets of the power of mathematics in what promises to be another thought provoking lecture.

Message from the NHS | The NHS have shared this video to all families across the borough regarding influenza. Please take time to watch this with your child.

Extra-Curricular Clubs | 3D Art Club | We’re excited to share what’s happening in our 3D Art Club, where students explore the world of sculpture and bring their creativity to life in bold, three-dimensional forms!

In 3D Art Club, students work on projects that go beyond the classroom, using a variety of materials to build larger, more ambitious sculptures. They learn to think about space, structure, and design while also studying the work of inspiring artists such as Auguste Rodin, Barbara Hepworth, and Alexander Calder. These artists’ innovative approaches help spark new ideas and encourage students to take risks in their own artmaking.

Through collaboration and experimentation, club members gain confidence and discover the joy of shaping their ideas into physical works of art.

Here’s what some of our students had to say about their experiences:

  • “I love being able to make bigger projects than we do in class—it feels like I’m really building something important.” | Year 09
  • “Studying real sculptors has given me ideas I never thought of before. I even tried using wire like Calder!” | Year 08
  • “3D Art Club is the place where I can be creative in new ways. I get to experiment and see my ideas come to life.” | Year 07

The 3D Art Club is more than just making art, it’s about building creativity, problem solving, and confidence. We can’t wait to see what amazing works our student artists create next!

Free School Meals | Free School Meals (FSM) are a government-funded scheme designed to ensure that children from eligible families receive a nutritious meal at school each day, at no cost to the family. This not only helps to support students’ health and concentration in lessons, but also removes the worry of having to provide money daily for school meals. Importantly, applying for FSM is completely confidential – students who receive them are not identified separately, and all meals are served in the same way as for any other student.

Submitting an application for FSM can also benefit families beyond the immediate support of a daily meal. Schools receive additional funding, known as the Pupil Premium, for every child registered for FSM. This funding is then used to provide extra resources, interventions, and opportunities that directly support students’ learning and well-being. Examples of how some of this funding is used at the school is as follows:

  • Chromebooks for every student
  • Covering the most of nearly all trips to ensure that all students can attend
  • Mentoring and counselling
  • Booster clubs
  • After-school interventions
  • Clubs

Even if a child prefers to bring a packed lunch, completing the FSM application ensures the school can access this vital funding, which in turn benefits the whole school community. Families are strongly encouraged to check their eligibility and complete an application if they qualify. Please review this document which outlines the criteria and links on how to apply.

RSHE Opt-Out| RSHE Opt-Out | Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) is a vital part of our curriculum, helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding to build healthy relationships, stay safe, and make informed decisions about their wellbeing. RSHE is delivered through classroom lessons, assemblies, and educational activities, providing meaningful opportunities to explore topics in a safe and supportive environment.

If families wish to request that their child be withdrawn from aspects of RSHE, they should complete the RSHE Withdrawal Form. Once submitted, a member of the school team will contact you to discuss this decision further, as we believe RSHE is essential for fostering respect, empathy, and personal development for all students. Complete this form here

Chromebook Insurance | We charge £15 a year for Chromebook Insurance. This will be per Chromebook supplied. We will start to request payment for this from Monday, 08 September through ParentPay. This cost goes towards the cost of maintaining the Chromebook and is needed to ensure that we can continue to provide students with this resource which is needed for their education. Should damages occur to the Chromebook and the Chromebook does not have Chromebook insurance, we will request the full cost of the repair or the full cost of a replacement device which will be £210.

Parents' Evening | In response to valuable feedback from families, we will be introducing a Priority Parents’ Evening system designed to offer more meaningful engagement and flexibility for all year groups.

Starting next year, each year group will be assigned a Priority Parents’ Evening, during which families will be invited to attend the academy in person for face-to-face meetings with their child’s teachers. For example, if Year 07 is selected as the first Priority group, Year 07 families will attend on site, while other year groups will still be able to meet with staff virtually on the same evening.

This new model allows us to offer:

  • A dedicated opportunity for each year group to engage face-to-face with staff
  • The chance to view students' work and books during the appointment
  • A deeper understanding of each child’s progress, strengths, and areas for development
  • Continued access to virtual appointments for all other year groups during each event

We believe this blended approach offers the best of both worlds, maintaining the convenience of virtual meetings while reintroducing the benefits of in-person conversations and direct engagement with students' learning. Moving forward, Parents' Evenings will start at 14:30 and end at 18:30. This offers more appointments for each event. The Parents' Evening will be taking place on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, 15 October | Year 07 Priority
  • Thursday, 11 December | Year 11X & Sixth Form Priority
  • Monday, 15 December | Year 11Y & Sixth Form Priority
  • Wednesday, 11 February | Year 09 Priority
  • Thursday, 26 March | Year 10 Priority
  • Thursday, 09 July | Year 08 Priority
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