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.
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).
Reminder of INSET Days | We have INSET days in the following days:
The school will be closed for students on all other year groups.
In it, to win it | We will be running 'In it, to win it' this week. In order to qualify, students must be in school.
Extra-Curricular Clubs | Next week, our sports clubs, drama and theatre clubs will be running. These have all been highlighted in the Extra-Curricular Offer.
Term 02 Priority Parents’ Evenings | This term, families will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers to discuss engagement, progress, and attainment. However, as with the last Parents' Evening, this will be a mix of virtual and onsite formats depending on which year group your child is in. To help your understanding of what is available for your child, we have broken this down below:
Lost Property | We have an ever-growing Lost Property collection, which contains coats, blazers, trousers, shoes, PE equipment and much more. If your child has lost an item, please look at the Gallery of Lost Property on this page. If you recognise an item, please encourage your child to go to the library, where, for the duration of this term, all lost property will be displayed and can be collected after school each day. At the end of each term, items not collected will be used to support other students, given to charity, or destroyed.
Curriculum Updates | Each week, we have done a spotlight on our different curriculums. This week, we focus on Drama. 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.
Sporting Success | A massive congratulations to our incredible U13 Girls team for winning the tournament!
They now advance to the next round to represent Charlton and if they triumph there, they’ll earn the unforgettable chance to play at Wembley Stadium. The journey continues… and it’s getting epic!
Families have requested updates on the other games that have been played this half term and we are excited to share these results with you:
If any local businesses, organisations, or families would like to sponsor a Winners’ Kit for our phenomenal U13 Girls team as they head into the next stage of the competition, we would love to hear from you. Sponsorship would help celebrate their incredible achievements and support them as they continue their journey towards Wembley. If you're interested in getting involved, please contact Mr Sheehan, Faculty Director of Sports (tsheehan@liftbexleyheath.org).
What's been happening in Science this week? | This week in science, our students brought chemistry to life with an exciting practical on electrolysis of aqueous solutions! The experiment gave them the chance to see how electricity can break down ionic compounds into their elements, turning theory into hands-on discovery.
Students set up their own electrolysis circuits using electrodes, a power supply, and a solution of an ionic compound like copper chloride. They watched in awe as metal deposited on the electrodes and bubbles of gas formed, showing chemistry happening right before their eyes. To identify what was forming at the positive electrode (anode), they used blue litmus paper to detect chemical changes in the solution—a simple yet clever technique that helped them work out which elements had been produced. Every observation was carefully recorded in their results tables.
Beyond the classroom, electrolysis has real-world applications that impact everyday life:
Through this practical, students not only developed their scientific skills but also discovered how the concepts they learn in class power industries and innovations around the world. Science really does sparkle at Lift Bexleyheath!
Masterclasses | Expanding Minds Beyond the Classroom | In a change to the billed event, this week Mr Kirby delivered the Masterclass on ‘Surtsey’ the ‘natural laboratory’. Our young minds pondered how life grows and the changing impact of different creatures. The children were challenged to think about the impact of humans and how we could also use sites like Surtsey to predict the future. Next week, by popular demand, we will have Mr Mack-Poole’s presentation on the history of migration! Our Masterclasses continue to be an incredible opportunity for students to broaden their horizons, challenge their thinking, and discover new perspectives, and this week promises to be especially unforgettable! The Masterclass will be taking place on Wednesday at 08:00 in the Mall Hall.
Flu Vaccinations | Please find a leaflet from the NHS about missed flu vaccinations here.
Preparing for the Cold Weather | As the colder weather sets in, it’s important that our students are prepared with the right clothing to stay warm throughout the school day. Students should wear coats for use outside of the building and we encourage tights or layers to keep comfortable during lessons and breaks. The fashion trend of tights with white or branded socks on top are not permitted.
At school, students have options to stay warm indoors during unstructured time. They can spend time in the canteens or attend one of the many indoor clubs. However, many students enjoy spending time outside for some fresh air between lessons, which is excellent for well being but it can be chilly without proper outerwear. Unfortunately, we’ve noticed that some students do not have coats to keep them warm, so we encourage families to ensure their child has suitable clothing for the season.
For PE lessons, while we await the arrival of our branded thermal kit, students are welcome to wear plain navy long-sleeve thermals under their PE uniform. This helps them stay comfortable and active even in the colder months. By layering up and choosing appropriate clothing, students can enjoy fresh air, participate fully, and stay healthy throughout the winter term.
What is Personal Development? | We have had some questions about what the Personal Development curriculum is about and we wanted to everyone knew what this curriculum is about and why it is important to use. At Lift Bexleyheath, our vision for Personal Development is simple and powerful: to empower students to become global citizens and confidently pursue their future aspirations. We want every young person to leave us with the knowledge, confidence, and character they need to thrive in life.
Your child benefits from a carefully planned Personal Development curriculum that includes PSHCE, Citizenship, Religious Education, and high-quality Relationships and Sex Education. These lessons help students understand how to stay safe, build healthy relationships, respect others, and navigate life in modern Britain. We also offer a strong careers education programme from Year 07 onwards, giving students regular encounters with employers, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship providers so they can make informed decisions about their future. Beyond the classroom, our enrichment programme provides a wide range of clubs, leadership opportunities, and exciting trips that build confidence, character, and cultural awareness. Every child is encouraged to take part, try new things, and discover what inspires them.
Together with strong pastoral care, these experiences ensure every student, whatever their starting point, can achieve, belong, and grow into a confident, responsible, and successful young adult. If you have any questions regarding our Personal Development Curriculum, please contact Ms Shalo, Vice Principal (ishalo@liftbexleyheath.org).
Safeguarding | Social Media & Online Safety | The academy remains committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of all students, including their digital welfare. As social media continues to play a significant role in the lives of young people, it is essential that students and parents are informed about the associated risks and the measures that can help ensure safe and responsible online behaviour. A key safeguarding concern is the increasing number of photographs and videos of students appearing in the public domain. Once an image is shared online, it is important to recognise that control over that content is effectively lost. Images can be copied, altered, redistributed, or stored by unknown individuals, even when they have been posted on private accounts. This may inadvertently reveal:
We therefore encourage parents and students to consider carefully before posting any images online and to ensure that consent, context, and long-term implications are always taken into account.
While no digital platform offers absolute protection, appropriate use of security and privacy settings can significantly reduce exposure to risk. Students are advised to:
Parents and carers are encouraged to review these settings with their child regularly and support the development of safe online practices. To add, it is important to remember that if your child is in a social media chat group, there is likely to be the absence of an adult to moderate content. This adds to the risks online. Furthermore, the UK has a ‘digital age of consent’ of 13 for all platforms as enforced by the 2023 Online Safety Act.
The school’s no-phone policy is a key component of our safeguarding approach and is designed to protect the learning environment and the well being of all students. The policy exists to:
Students who bring mobile phones to school must ensure that devices remain switched off and kept out of sight throughout the school day. If your child is present in school, we would like to reassure you that they are safe. If you have concerns about your child's phone habits and would like some help and support, 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.
Aspens Canteen Menu | Families have requested to see the school canteen menu. The menu changes each week and is on a three week cycle. Next week, will be Week 01 on the cycle.
What's been happening in Design & Technology this week? | This week in Design and Technology, our students combined creativity and science in a hands-on practical exploring the chemistry of baking. Swapping textbooks for mixing bowls, the kitchens were transformed into a fully functioning cake laboratory.
Students experimented with different raising agents to discover which produced the fluffiest sponge, using scientific techniques such as colour tests, bubble counting, and texture comparisons. They even compared their homemade cakes with shop-bought examples to evaluate the results.
This practical allowed students to apply scientific principles in a real-world context, collecting and analysing data while developing practical cooking skills. It was a perfect example of how learning can be both educational and enjoyable, as students demonstrated teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity throughout the session.
Safeguarding Award | We are incredibly proud to announce that Lift Bexleyheath has been awarded the prestigious ‘Platinum Plus’ accreditation, the highest possible recognition for safeguarding excellence. This honour follows a rigorous two day audit in October 2025, during which external specialists examined every aspect of how we protect, support, and care for our students.
Achieving Platinum Plus places Lift Bexleyheath among the very best schools in the country for safeguarding practice. It reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff, the strength of our systems, and the deep culture of vigilance and compassion that runs through our school. It also celebrates the valued partnerships we maintain with families, local agencies, and community stakeholders, all of whom play a vital role in keeping our young people safe.
We extend our sincere thanks to parents and carers for your ongoing support; this achievement belongs to all of us. Lift Bexleyheath continues to set the highest standard for safeguarding, ensuring that every student feels known, protected, and empowered to thrive.
What's been happening in Performing Arts this week? | This week, our Year 11 Performing Arts students presented their final pieces for one of their GCSE components, demonstrating creativity, skill, and dedication.
Working with the theme of “Friendship”, students developed original performances that explored different aspects of relationships, teamwork, and connection. From dramatic scenes to expressive movement, each presentation reflected their interpretation of the theme, combining performance techniques with personal insight and imagination.
The presentations were a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their talents, apply their learning, and gain confidence in front of an audience. Staff were incredibly impressed with the thought, effort, and professionalism displayed by every performer, highlighting the hard work that has gone into this year’s course.
Congratulations to all our Year 11 performers for bringing the theme of friendship to life so creatively!
Assembly This Week | Celebrating Neurodiversity | This week, our students took part in an inspiring assembly on neurodiversity, learning that everyone’s brain works differently and that these differences should be understood, valued, and celebrated.
During the session, students explored conditions such as ADHD, Autism, and Dyslexia, discovering that:
Using real life examples, students saw that each profile comes with both challenges and strengths, encouraging them to approach others with empathy, respect, and inclusion.
The assembly also highlighted well-known public figures who are neurodiverse, showing that these differences can be a source of talent and achievement. From actors and athletes to scientists and entrepreneurs, many individuals have harnessed their neurodiverse strengths to excel in their fields—reinforcing the message that diversity of thought is something to celebrate.
At Lift Bexleyheath, we are proud to foster a community where all students are supported to thrive, and where understanding and valuing differences helps everyone reach their potential.
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:
Lift Bexleyheath
Woolwich Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7DA
