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 question about the fixtures, please contact Mr Sheehan, Faculty Director for Sports (tsheehan@liftbexleyheath.org).
Visiting the School | We would like to remind all families that staff are unable to meet with visitors who arrive at school without an appointment. Our staff members are fully engaged throughout the school day, either teaching or ensuring the smooth running of daily operations and therefore cannot accommodate unexpected visits. We understand that sometimes families would like to speak with a member of staff in person. To avoid unnecessary frustration, we kindly ask that you contact the relevant staff member in advance to arrange a suitable time to meet or speak. You can do this by:
Please also note that our response time for all communications is within 48 hours. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to respond thoughtfully to every inquiry. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in helping us keep the school running smoothly and efficiently.
Extra-Curricular Clubs | Only sports clubs will resume next week. We have also added some more lunchtime clubs. These have all been highlighted in the Extra-Curricular Offer.
Curriculum Updates | As mentioned last week, we have listened to your feedback and simplified our curriculum plans to make it easier for you to understand what you child is learning in each subject. Last week, we had a spotlight on Science on Latest News, this week, we will have a spotlight on History.
Our goal is to make it easier for families to understand the topics being taught across all grade levels and subjects. You’ll now find a clearer, more organised layout that highlights the key learning goals for each subject area. This update is meant to help families stay informed and feel more connected to the learning that happens each day. We have included an example of how the curriculums are presented now below. The curriculums for all subjects can be found on Curriculum Page of our website.
Jack Petchey Awards | We are delighted to announce that several of our students have been nominated for the Jack Petchey Award, a prestigious programme that recognises and celebrates the achievements, effort, and positive impact of young people across London and Essex. The award highlights students who go above and beyond, showing dedication, talent, and a strong commitment to their school and community.
This year, we are proud to celebrate:
We are incredibly proud of Daniel, Praise, and Elizabeth for their hard work, dedication, and the positive contributions they make to our school community. Their nominations for the Jack Petchey Award are a testament to their talent, effort, and the inspiration they bring to others.
Change to Role | Safeguarding | We are delighted to welcome Ms Emma Upton as our new Designated Safeguarding Lead and Associate Assistant Principal in charge of Safeguarding. In this vital role, Ms Upton is responsible for ensuring the well-being and safety of all our students and staff members, working closely with staff, families, and external agencies to provide the right support whenever it’s needed. Ms Upton said: “My role is to make sure every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive. If a student is ever worried, feels unsafe, or if someone has a concern about a child’s welfare, I’m here to listen, offer guidance, and take appropriate action. You will already know me from the safeguarding pieces written in Latest News weekly, I hope you find these interesting and helpful. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns.”
We’re thrilled to have Ms Upton leading this crucial area of school life and know that her experience and dedication will help ensure our school remains a place where every child feels safe, valued, and supported.
New Year 07 Pastoral Manager | We are very pleased to introduce Mr David Sholu, who has joined our team as the new Year 07 Pastoral Manager. Mr Sholu will be supporting our youngest students as they continue to settle into secondary school life, helping to ensure that every child feels happy, confident, and ready to thrive.
To ensure a smooth transition, Mr Sholu has been working closely with Ms Aricilar and Ms Bulford, who have provided a detailed handover and shared their insights about the wonderful Year 7 cohort. This collaboration means that Mr Sholu is already well-prepared to continue the excellent pastoral care our students receive. Mr Sholu said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Year 07 team and getting to know our fantastic students and families. My priority is to make sure every child feels supported, listened to, and encouraged to achieve their very best. I’m looking forward to working together to make this a positive and successful year for everyone.”
We warmly welcome Mr Sholu to the team and know that his enthusiasm and dedication will make a wonderful difference to our Year 07 community. If you have any questions about your Year 07 child, please contact Mr Sholu, Year 07 Pastoral Manager (dsholu@liftbexleyheath.org).
Additional support in Year 10 | We would like to share an update with our Year 10 community. Ms Bulford will now be supporting our Year 10 students during Ms Crawley’s absence. We know that many families have sent warm wishes to Ms Crawley, and we would like to thank you for your kindness and support. She is doing well and is looking forward to returning to school soon.
In the meantime, Ms Bulford is excited to step into this role and continue providing the strong pastoral support that Year 10 students know and value. Mr Bulford said: "“I’m really looking forward to working more closely with our fantastic Year 10 students and supporting them through this important stage of their school journey. Together with the Year 10 team, I’ll be making sure every student feels supported, motivated, and ready to succeed.”
We know Year 10 are in excellent hands with Ms Bulford & Ms Kelly and the rest of the Year 10 team, and we thank families for their continued encouragement and partnership.
Masterclasses | Expanding Minds Beyond the Classroom | We’re thrilled to share that our incredible Masterclasses are back this term and we’re kicking things off with something truly inspiring. This week, Ms Priscott will be leading us on a creative journey as we explore the fascinating world of the Modernist Art Movement. Whether your child is a budding artist, a deep thinker, or simply curious about the world around them, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, question, and be inspired. We can’t wait to see our curious young minds bright and early, ready to dive into another term of creativity and discovery. The Masterclass will be taking place on Wednesday at 08:00 in the Mall Hall.
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:
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 | Make-Up, Social Media and Body Image | We are increasingly aware of the pressures young people are facing around appearance and body image. Social media, advertising, and online influencers often promote unrealistic beauty expectations, which can affect self-esteem and well-being. Recently, we have also noticed more young people experimenting with make-up at school, sometimes due to these pressures.
At school, we encourage students to feel confident and comfortable as themselves. While many enjoy make-up as a form of self-expression, it’s important that students understand they do not need to change how they look to be valued or accepted. Our school rules on make-up are in place to support this message and to ensure everyone feels included and able to focus on learning and this is not something we will negotiate with.
To help at home, you may wish to:
If you have concerns about your child's body confidence, emotional well-being, or social media use, contact with our Safeguarding Team (safeguarding@liftbexleyheath.org). We are here to support both students and families. Together, we can help our young people develop confidence, resilience, and a positive sense of self.
Assembly This Week | Racism & Discrimination | This week, Ms Luthfa and Ms Delver led an important assembly with our students, focusing on racism and discrimination. These discussions are vital, especially in light of current events both in our country and around the world, and help our students understand the impact of prejudice and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Our school is proud to have one of the most diverse communities, and we celebrate this every day. Assemblies like these remind us that our priority is to protect and support everyone in our community, ensuring that every student feels safe, respected, and valued.
We also reinforce our British Values of tolerance and mutual respect, helping students to grow as thoughtful, empathetic citizens who contribute positively to society.
We are proud of the engagement and maturity shown by our students and are committed to continuing to promote an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for everyone.
Inclusion | Neurodiversity | At Lift Bexleyheath, we celebrate the unique ways every mind works. Neurodiversity includes conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. These differences bring amazing strengths and perspectives to our community. Valuing neurodiversity helps everyone feel included, encourages creativity, and builds understanding and empathy.We provide flexible, inclusive environments and celebrate each person’s unique abilities. . Together, we will learn more about the amazing diversity of minds that make Lift Bexleyheath so special. Each week, a member of our community will share their story and talk about their neurodiversity, or as we like to call them, their very own superpowers. Next, we kick off our weekly series with Stephens-Kobewka, who will share her story and superpowers as someone with ADHD.
The Impact of Reading | Following the NGRT reading assessments last half term across Year 07-10, we are delighted to report that overall there has been a 7% increase in students reading at or above their chronological reading age across the academy in comparison to last autumn with 76% making expected or above expected progress. All groups of students have made significant progress:
This data shows the impact of our reading interventions and our reading focus during the Prep Period with three reading sessions and our fortnightly Think Piece dedicated to developing students reading proficiency and promoting the reading for pleasure. It also shows the impact of our reading interventions.
Community & Family | Children in Need | On Friday 14th November, our school will be proudly supporting Children in Need, the UK’s national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people who face challenges such as illness, disability, poverty, or distress. The charity raises funds to provide vital support, resources, and opportunities so that every child has the chance to thrive.
To take part, we’re inviting all students to add a splash of yellow to their uniform, whether it’s a hair accessory, socks, or another small item, as a fun way to show support. We will have donation boxes at the gates in the morning and our student leaders will be collecting donations during break and lunch on the day so please send your child into school if you have any loose change at home.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to join a nationwide fundraising effort and help make a real difference for children and young people across the UK. We look forward to seeing our school community come together for this important cause.
Careers Insight Talks | Career Insight Talks are a strong feature of our careers provision. This is where students will have the opportunity to hear from professionals across a range of industries. These sessions aim to inspire our students, broaden their understanding of different career paths, and help them connect their learning to the world of work.
We would also love to invite parents and guardians to take part by sharing insights about their own careers. If you would be happy to give a short talk or presentation about your profession to our wonderful students, we would be thrilled to have you join us. These take place every fortnight on a Friday and start at 11:30 and finish at 12:00. Please express your interest by filling in the short form here. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students explore their futures. We look forward to a fantastic and inspiring term ahead.
Poppy Appeal Update | In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, our student leaders have been proudly handing out poppies on behalf of the Royal British Legion. This annual tradition gives students the opportunity to take an active role in remembering and honouring the courage and sacrifice of those who have served in the armed forces.
By distributing poppies and collecting donations, our students help support veterans and their families, as well as raise awareness about the significance of remembrance. This important work encourages our school community to reflect on the sacrifices made by service personnel, both past and present, and to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today.
We are incredibly proud of our student leaders for their commitment and dedication to this meaningful cause. The student leaders will be selling poppies on Monday and Tuesday of this week.
What's been happening in Art this week? | This November, the Art Department is thrilled to launch our exciting new initiative: “Growvember”! This month-long challenge is all about developing artistic skills, creating unique pieces, and sharing ideas with others.
Over four weeks in November, students are given two creative prompts each week to inspire their art. All submitted pieces are entered for weekly certificates celebrating the best work, and students who submit throughout the month are also entered into a prize draw for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
The response so far has been fantastic! Many students have already started creating this week, and some have even been bringing friends along to get involved. We expect participation to grow even more as the initiative is highlighted in lessons, clubs, and with the first batch of certificates being awarded next week.
We also want to give a special shout-out to our amazing Year 08 students. This cohort has been demonstrating incredible creativity, experimenting with multiple media, and producing work that is truly impressive. This term, Year 8 have been focusing on developing their colour skills, techniques, and processes with a theme based on sea life. Using coloured pencils, students have explored the vibrant colours and unique shapes of ocean creatures, resulting in a series of stunning and imaginative pieces.
We’re so proud of the creativity and dedication shown by all our students and look forward to seeing Growvember continue to flourish throughout the month!
Community & Family | A Christmas Wish............. | Our favourite community project is back! This half-term, our school is proud to continue our annual community project by supporting the residents of Parkview Residential Care Home in Bexley. Parkview provides care and support for older adults, offering a welcoming and safe environment where residents can enjoy companionship, activities, and attentive care.
As part of this project, we will be collecting donations from our school community to create present parcels for both the residents and staff at Parkview. These parcels will be carefully prepared by our students and delivered by a selected group to the care home on the last day of term, allowing students to experience the joy of giving and connecting with members of the local community.
Community projects like this are incredibly important. They help our students develop empathy, kindness, and a sense of social responsibility, while also giving them a deeper understanding of the lives and experiences of the elderly. By taking part, students learn the value of supporting others and the impact small acts of generosity can have on people’s lives.
We are looking forward to seeing the school community come together to make this year’s project a success and to bring some joy and festive spirit to the residents and staff at Parkview.
To make sure that we get everything the residents would like, we have items that we will focus on collecting each week. We thank everyone that donates in advance. Donations should be brought to the reception team. The collection windows are below:
What's been happening in Performing Arts this week? | Our students have been delving into the exciting world of theatre staging, learning how the arrangement of the stage can change the way a story is told and how an audience experiences a performance. This term, they have been exploring a variety of staging styles, including Thrust, Traverse, and the particularly intimate “In the Round” setup.
In one recent session, students performed their own interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood using In the Round staging, where the audience surrounds the performers on all sides. This approach challenged the students to think creatively about movement, focus, and engagement, as every angle had to be considered to ensure the story reached the audience effectively.
Performing in this way allowed students to experience the nuances of theatre production, understand the importance of spatial awareness, and appreciate how different staging choices can affect storytelling. It was inspiring to see their confidence, collaboration, and creativity shine as they brought this classic tale to life.
These exercises not only develop performance skills but also deepen students’ understanding of theatre as an art form, encouraging them to think critically, work collaboratively, and experiment with creative expression.
Lift Bexleyheath
Woolwich Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7DA
