News and events

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

Term 01 | Week 06

Start-of-Term Arrangements | Term Two starts on Monday, 03 November at 08:30.

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

Homework | Following your feedback that students should have work to complete over the holiday period, we have adjusted the homework schedule accordingly. Students have been given additional time to complete their assignment, which now includes the holiday period. The homework was assigned on Friday, 17 October, and students have three weeks to complete it. The submission deadline is Thursday, 06 November.

Please note that homework corrections will take place during the week commencing Monday, 10 November. These sessions will support students who did not complete their homework or who need to make improvements based on feedback.

In addition to the set homework, we kindly ask families to encourage their children to spend at least 20 minutes each day reading during the holiday period. Students can read using Sparx Reader, Bedrock, or a book of their choice.

Regular reading over the holidays helps students to maintain and strengthen their literacy skills, expand their vocabulary, and develop a deeper understanding of language and ideas. It also supports continued cognitive engagement, helping students to retain focus and learning momentum even while away from school.

Maintaining a daily learning routine is especially beneficial for our neurodivergent students, who may find it challenging to adjust back to school routines after time away. A consistent reading habit can provide structure, predictability, and a sense of stability, making the transition back to the classroom smoother and less stressful.

Encouraging a short daily reading routine can make a significant difference to students’ confidence, comprehension, and overall wellbeing, ensuring they return to school ready to learn.

New Style Reports | You provided feedback about our termly reports providing limited feedback on student progress. We have listened to this feedback and we have designed a new report which provides a more detailed and easier to digest overview of your child's progress. We apologise for the issues some families experienced with accessing the draft version of the report, please find an updated format here. You can also see sections of the report in the image carousel below. A reminder that student reports are available at the end of the term in the following months:

  • December
  • April
  • July

Parents' Evening | Year 07 | This week, we were delighted to host our first face-to-face Parents’ Evening, and the atmosphere in our Main Hall was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see so many families coming together to celebrate student progress, discuss achievements, and look through students’ work.

Teachers and support staff were thrilled to meet parents and carers in person once again. The evening provided a valuable opportunity to share feedback, celebrate successes, and discuss the next steps for each student’s learning journey. Students proudly shared their books and recent work, sparking conversations about their growth and goals for the term ahead.

We are incredibly grateful to all the families who attended and helped make the evening such a positive experience. Here’s what some of our parents had to say:

  • “It was lovely to meet the teachers in person and hear how well my child is settling in.”
  • “Seeing my child’s books and hearing about their progress made me really proud.”
  • “The staff were so welcoming and informative, it felt like a real partnership. The student leaders were a credit to the school and acted like hosts for the evening. They helped us find the teachers we were looking for and also made sure we had a warm drink which was a bonus.”
  • “I left feeling reassured and inspired about the support my child is getting at school.”

A huge thank you to all our staff and families for making the evening such a success. We look forward to continuing this partnership throughout the year as we work together to support every student’s learning and well-being. We look forward to hosting the Year 11 and Sixth Form Parents' Evenings onsite during Term 02.

Dynamic Progress Reporting (DPR) | To support families in further understanding how their child is making progress in each subject, we have invested in a platform which provides live information to families about strengths and areas of weakness by topic. We have released the parent codes to DPR, our new online progress reporting software. Codes were sent via email from DPR with guidance on how to login. The codes are valid for 90 days. Follow the guidance on the email to login and see your child's progress against key objectives in each subject. As we move through the academic year, teachers will be assessing against more of the objectives so you can see progress in real time. If you have any questions regarding these codes, please contact Ms Fisher, Data Manager (dfisher@liftbexleyheath.org).

Inclusion Virtual Events | Term 02 | Families of SEND students will be provided with the opportunity to meet with either Ms Chiculita, SENDCo or Ms Hajarie, Deputy SENDCo, on a Monday and Thursday. This is a continuation of the opportunities that were provided during Term 01.  These sessions will be 15 minutes and will be virtual. The dates for Week 00 and Week 01 are as follows:

  • Monday, 03 November 2025 |15:30 - 18:00
  • Thursday, 06 November 2025 |15:30 - 18:00
  • Monday, 10 November 2025 |15:30 - 18:00
  • Thursday, 13 November 2025 |15:30 - 18:00

Appointments are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis and will open a week before each event. 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].

Safeguarding | Mobile Phone Usage | As the holidays approach, many teenagers are likely to spend more time on their phones, whether chatting with friends, scrolling through social media, or playing games. While technology can be a great way to stay connected, excessive or unsupervised use can pose risks, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyber bullying, and disrupted sleep routines.

To help families support their children in staying safe and balanced over the holidays, here are three practical tips:

  • Set Clear Boundaries and Routines
    Encourage your child to follow a healthy routine that balances screen time with other activities such as reading, outdoor exercise, or family time. Setting limits on phone use before bedtime can help ensure better sleep and reduce screen fatigue.
  • Monitor and Discuss Online Activity
    Have open conversations about the apps and websites your child uses. Discuss the importance of privacy, respectful communication, and reporting anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. Active dialogue can help teenagers make safer choices online.
  • Use Technology Safely
    Make use of parental controls, privacy settings, and built-in safety features to help protect your child from harmful content. Encourage them to think critically about what they share and who they interact with online.

By taking these simple steps, families can help their teenagers enjoy the benefits of technology while staying safe, responsible, and healthy during the holiday period. If you need help or support regarding your child, please contact our Safeguarding Team (safeguarding@liftbexleyheath.org).

End-of-Term Celebrations | As Term 01 drew to a close, students and staff came together for Year Group Celebration Assemblies to recognise and honour those who truly shone this term. The atmosphere was electric as certificates and badges were awarded to students who achieved outstanding academic progress, excellent attendance, active participation in clubs, and those who earned the highest number of Maxim Merits.

It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate hard work, dedication, and positive contributions across every year group. The pride and excitement were clear as students applauded their peers and reflected on their collective achievements.

Adding to the celebrations, this week we also ran ‘In it to Win it’, a fun initiative where students were recognised and gifted simply for being in school. It was wonderful to celebrate the everyday commitment of students and highlight the importance of attendance in a fun and engaging way.

We can’t wait to celebrate even more achievements next term and continue to shine a spotlight on the brilliant contributions of our students.

Extra-Curricular | Football Success | Lift Bexleyheath delivered a dominant performance in their recent football match, securing an emphatic 11-01 win over Cleeve Park.

The victory was led by Samson, who impressed with a stunning six-goal haul, showcasing his remarkable skill and composure on the field. He was strongly supported by Harry, who added four goals to the tally, while Simba completed the scoring with the final goal.

The team’s teamwork, determination, and attacking prowess were on full display, making this an unforgettable match for players and supporters alike.

Year 06 Transitions Update | This week, our Year 06 transition taster sessions provided students with an exciting glimpse into secondary school life. In the Dramatic Drama session led by Mr McGibbon, students explored the importance of communication and focus through a series of lively warm-up games. They were then introduced to key performance techniques, which they used to create freeze frames around the powerful theme of bullying.

In the Curious Coding session, students explored the world of game design by creating concept art for their own, original characters and planned ideas for a game level. They also learned how pseudocode and class diagrams are used to structure games and control gameplay. It was a fantastic blend of imagination and logic, giving students a real insight into the world of computer game creation.

These sessions offered a fun and engaging start to their transition journey, helping students build confidence as they prepare for the next stage of their education. Please see some feedback from families that took part in the session:

  • “The freeze frame activity was fun and made me think about how bullying affects others. I liked using my imagination and trying out new drama skills”
  • “It was cool designing my own character on paper and learning how coding isn’t just about computers. I didn’t know coding started with planning”

As part of this week’s transition activities, families were invited to a ‘Meet the SENDCo’ session in the school library. This gave prospective families the opportunity to meet Ms Chiculita, our SENDCo, and learn more about the school’s SEND provision. It was a valuable opportunity to ask questions, discuss individual needs, and understand how we support all students to thrive both academically and emotionally. The session was well-received and helped families feel reassured and informed ahead of the move to secondary school.

“As a parent of a child with additional needs, I often worry about how they’ll cope with big changes like moving to secondary school. Meeting Ms Chiculita and hearing about the support in place really put my mind at ease. She listened, understood, and made me feel like my child will be genuinely cared for here.”

Sixth Form Open Evening | This week, we hosted an exciting Sixth Form Open Evening, and it was wonderful to see so many Year 11 students and their families exploring the opportunities that await them in our Sixth Form.

The evening was buzzing with energy as visitors met dedicated teachers and current sixth form students, gaining first-hand insights into the wide range of academic courses, enrichment programs, and extracurricular opportunities available. Prospective students had the chance to ask questions, explore different subjects, and get a real sense of life in Sixth Form.

A special thank you goes to all our Year 12 and 13 students, whose support made the evening such a success. From helping subject teachers to sharing their experiences and achievements, their contributions provided valuable guidance and inspiration for the next cohort of Sixth Form students.

We look forward to welcoming many of our Year 11 students into Sixth Form next year and continuing to celebrate their achievements and ambitions.

Back