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).
Student Success | We would like to take a moment to share the fantastic achievements of Year 09 student Alex Edwards, who has been awarded the prestigious Jack Petchey Award! This was awarded to Alex for his outstanding commitment to his peers as a Scouting Young Leader.
This award has been years in the making. Alex began his journey seven years ago at the age of six when he first joined the Beavers. He has since steadily progressed through Cubs, where he earned his Silver Award and was named Cub of the Year and into the Scouts. For the past two years, alongside his own Scouting commitments, Alex has stepped up into a leadership role as a Young Leader, regularly helping out with his local Beaver and Cub groups.
From giving up his weekends for summer camping trips to assisting on day excursions, Alex consistently dedicates his own time to support younger children in his community So whilst Alex is modest and rarely boasts about his achievements; his dedication, leadership, and quiet service set a wonderful example for us all.
Celebrating World Religions | 22–23 September 2026 | Pagan and Wiccan Traditions | Autumn Equinox (Mabon) | The Autumn Equinox, often called Mabon, marks the point in the year when day and night are almost equal in length. It celebrates the changing seasons, the harvest and the balance found in nature.
Many Pagans and Wiccans use this time to give thanks for the year's harvest, spend time outdoors and reflect on the importance of living in harmony with the natural world.
This celebration encourages us to appreciate our environment, recognise the importance of balance in our lives and show gratitude for the opportunities we have.
Celebrating World Religions | 26 September – 03 October 2026 | Judaism | Sukkot | Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Tabernacles, remembers the forty years that the Israelites spent travelling through the wilderness after leaving Egypt. During the festival, many Jewish families build and decorate temporary shelters called sukkahs, where they eat meals and spend time together.
Sukkot is a joyful celebration that focuses on gratitude, hospitality, community and recognising the importance of home and family.
For our school community, Sukkot reminds us of the value of welcoming others, working together and appreciating the support we receive from our families and friends.
Parents' Evening Term 01 | Wednesday, 07 October 2026 | This term, families of Year 07 students will have the opportunity to meet with all of their child’s subject teachers face-to-face to discuss their engagement, progress, and attainment over the year. Families of Year 08 to Year 13 families will be able to meet virtually with their child's teachers if they do not teach Year 07. Appointments will open for booking from Monday, 28 September 2026 at 19:00. Families can book appointments using the school’s online booking system. Please note that appointments are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Information on booking appointments can be found on the Parents' Evening page of the school'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@liftbexleyheath.org).
A reminder that on this day, the school day will end at 14:20. There will be no clubs and interventions running these days.
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.
Celebrating the Canteen | On Thursday, 01 October, we’re celebrating the first of the month by serving student favourites in the canteen. The menu for the day is shown on the right.
Students who buy food from the canteen that day will also have a chance to win free food vouchers, with winners from every year group.
Please speak with your child and encourage them to visit the canteen on Thursday. They might enjoy a favourite meal and win a voucher for another one!
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.
Extra-Curricular Clubs | It has been fantastic to see our new clubs get underway this term, with students throwing themselves into training, learning new skills and, most importantly, enjoying being part of a team.
Our Year 07 boys’ and girls’ football teams, along with our girls’ netball team, are already looking forward to their first fixtures next week. What makes this even more exciting is that these teams have been playing together for less than two weeks!
There is a real sense of enthusiasm and team spirit developing, and we are incredibly proud of the pupils for getting involved, supporting one another and representing the school. Their first fixtures will be a wonderful opportunity to put their new skills into practice and experience competitive school sport for the first time.
A huge well done to all of our students who have joined a club so far. We cannot wait to see how our teams develop over the coming weeks and, of course, we wish our Year 07 footballers and netballers the very best for their first fixtures next week!
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.
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.
Barclays LifeSkills | This week, Year 08 students took part in a Barclays LifeSkills workshop, Exploring Personal Strengths. They identified skills they can use in different settings, such as teamwork, communication and creative thinking, alongside their interests and personal qualities.
Students then explored how these strengths connect to careers. They considered two ways to begin: finding roles that suit what they enjoy and do well, or choosing a career that interests them and researching the skills, qualities and qualifications it requires. This helped them see how the strengths they are developing at school could shape their future choices.
You can continue the conversation at home by asking your child which strengths they identified, where they have used them recently, and what careers they would like to learn more about.
If you would like to inquire further about the Lift Bexleyheath Barclays LifeSkills program, please contact Dr Lucas, Assistant Principal (flucas@liftbexleyheath.org).
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.
Career Insight Talk | Journalism | We were delighted to welcome Ms Moore, who delivered an engaging career insight session on magazine journalism. She shared her journey from secondary school and sixth form to university, where she studied English at the University of Nottingham, before completing the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) diploma.
Ms Moore drew on her professional experience as a magazine editor, explaining the wide range of opportunities within journalism, including education, politics, farming, entertainment and aerospace. She highlighted how journalism can contribute to society by delivering high-quality news, representing diverse communities, encouraging accountability and strengthening social cohesion.
Students learnt about routes into journalism, including university degrees, degree apprenticeships, graduate schemes and work experience. They also explored the NCTJ qualification, including media law and editing examinations and building a portfolio of published work.
Students were encouraged to read widely, develop their writing and communication skills, join the school newspaper, explore different areas of journalism and seek relevant work experience, particularly during Year 10.
We encourage parents and carers to continue these conversations at home by exploring journalism, publishing, media, communications and related careers together. Looking at entry requirements, qualifications, skills, work experience and progression routes can help students make informed and confident decisions about their future pathways.
If you are interested in sharing your own career journey with our students, please contact Dr Lucas, Assistant Principal (flucas@liftbexleyheath.org).
Year 06 Transitions | Our morning and twilight tours have brought a wonderful buzz to school this week. More than 350 families have now booked a tour, and we look forward to welcoming many more next week.
Families have had the chance to explore the school during a normal day, meet our staff and students, and see learning in action. Across the tours, visitors have spotted fitness sessions on the field, gymnastics and volleyball, science experiments, drama rehearsals, art lessons and much more.
We have loved hearing what families thought of their visits:
“Lift was amazing. My boy has seen a few schools and nothing compares to yours. Definitely our first choice.”
“A really informative morning. We were impressed by the school and the atmosphere. A really useful visit.”
“We were impressed by how engaged the children were and how confidently they interacted with their teachers.”
We also held our first subject taster, Spectacular Spanish. Children learned to introduce themselves in Spanish, explored how Spanish sounds and spelling work, and tested their knowledge of the Hispanic world in an interactive quiz.
Our tours continue next week, offering more families the chance to see what life at Lift Bexleyheath is really like. There are still a few spaces available for next week’s taster session, ‘Wacky Science’. The children will have the chance to learn how to use microscopes and get hands-on with observing insects and food specimens up close. Families can also still book a virtual catch-up here with our Principal or sign up here for a subject taster session to get a feel for life at Lift Bexleyheath. We look forward to welcoming you.
Admissions to secondary school | Children born between 01 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 will transfer to secondary school in September 2027. The application period opened on 01 September 2026 and the closing date is 31 October 2026. Applications can be made here. National offer day is 01 March 2027.
If your child is not offered a place at our school but you would like them to attend, please contact us directly at info@liftbexleyheath.org to discuss your options.
Safeguarding | Anti-social Behaviour & Community Safety | As a school community, we want all our students to feel safe both in school and when travelling to and from school. We are therefore reminding families about the importance of positive behaviour and community safety in the Bexleyheath area.
Anti-social behaviour (ASB) can include behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to others. This can include intimidating behaviour, persistent nuisance, vandalism, disorder and behaviour that negatively affects residents, businesses and other young people. The Metropolitan Police identifies ASB as one of the commonly reported crime categories in Bexleyheath.
We encourage parents and carers to talk regularly with their children about making safe and respectful choices in the community. This includes treating local residents, businesses and public spaces with respect, avoiding situations that may become confrontational, and not joining in with behaviour simply because friends are involved. Young people should know that they can always walk away from an unsafe situation and speak to a trusted adult if they are worried.
Bexleyheath is a shared community, and we all have a role to play in keeping it safe. If your child experiences or witnesses concerning behaviour, please encourage them to tell you or another trusted adult. If there is an immediate danger or a crime is taking place, call 999. For non-emergency incidents, concerns can be reported to the police via 101 or through their online reporting service. Anti-social behaviour can also be reported to Bexley Council.
We will continue to work with students and families to promote respectful behaviour, personal safety and positive relationships within our local community. By working together, we can help our young people make safe choices and contribute positively to the area in which we live and learn
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.
World Religions | Gurdwara Trip 11 & 12 | On Thursday this week, students enjoyed an educational visit to the Gurdwara, in Gravesend, where they had the opportunity to learn more about Sikhism and experience a different place of worship.
The visit was described by students as interesting, enjoyable and informative, with many saying that they learned something new. Students particularly enjoyed seeing inside the Gurdwara, learning about Sikh beliefs and traditions, and finding out about the importance of removing shoes and covering their heads when entering the prayer area.
There were plenty of memorable moments throughout the trip. Students enjoyed trying the food, including prashad, putting on the traditional head coverings and exploring the Gurdwara itself. One student described the trip as an “excellent trip” that gave them a new perspective on Sikh life, while another said it was a “good learning experience.”
The visit also helped students think about wider themes such as respect, equality and the importance of understanding other religions. Students commented that learning about another religion was valuable and that understanding and respecting other people's beliefs is important.
Students also said they felt safe and well supported throughout the visit, with the majority reporting that staff supervised them well and that they had a fair opportunity to take part.
Overall, the feedback collected from students at the end of the visit shows that the Gurdwara visit was a positive and worthwhile learning experience. Many students said they would recommend the trip to others, describing it as fun, educational, interesting and a good opportunity to learn about another religion and culture. We look forward to taking the current year 10s in the Spring term.
What's been happening in Spanish this week? | There has been a lively start to the year in Spanish, and we are delighted to welcome Ms Cinnaman and Ms Davidson to our Modern Foreign Languages team. Their enthusiasm for languages was on show this week when they led our Spectacular Spanish taster session for local Year 6 pupils.
During the lesson, pupils explored how to express likes and dislikes in Spanish using music artists as their topic. They practised new vocabulary, listened to different opinions and began forming their own responses. Speaking a new language can feel daunting at first, so it was wonderful to see pupils listening carefully and having the confidence to give it a go.
The session also gave Year 6 pupils a taste of how Spanish is taught at secondary school: learning useful phrases, practising them with others and using them to say something personal. Experiences like this can help children feel more confident about the move to Year 07.
¡Bien hecho! to everyone who joined us. We were impressed by your enthusiasm and willingness to try something new.
Masterclasses | Expanding Minds Beyond the Classroom | Join Ms Kobewka this Wednesday at 08:00 for a Morning Masterclass packed with secrets, puzzles and surprising science. Bring your curiosity, follow the clues and see what you can uncover. The Masterclass will be taking place in the Main Hall.
Assembly this Week | Excellence is a Habit | What do you want your future to look like, and what can you do now to move towards it? These were the questions at the heart of this week’s assemblies.
Students explored how their interests and strengths might lead to different careers. We encouraged them to stay curious, learn about opportunities they may not yet have considered, and recognise that their goals can change as they grow.
We also discussed the part that work ethic and mindset play in reaching those goals. Turning up ready to learn, practising when something is difficult, acting on feedback and trying again after a setback can all help students make progress. Success rarely happens in one big moment; it grows through the habits students build each day.
You could continue the conversation at home by asking your child what career or ambition they are curious about, what skills it might require, and one step they could take this term towards it.
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
