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.
End-of-Term Arrangements | Term two ends on Friday, 19 December, at 12:00.
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).
Breakfast | A reminder that, students are able to buy breakfast from the small canteen as they enter the school. Students will also be able to buy cold lunch items which they can eat later on in the day. The canteen will be open from 07:50 until 08:20.
Christmas Jumper Day | We’re delighted that Lift Bexleyheath will be taking part in Christmas Jumper Day this year on Thursday, 11 December. On the day, students may come to school wearing a festive Christmas jumper over their shirt but under their blazer, and we’ll be collecting donations at the school gate as students arrive. Your contributions will support Save the Children’s vital work to help children in the UK and around the world. The funds raised help ensure that children, especially those who are disadvantaged or in crisis, get access to essentials such as food, healthcare and education.
In the UK, some of the donation money helps children from deprived backgrounds get access to much‑needed early‑years support, safe childcare, and community services that help them thrive. For example, in one recent programme children were given the opportunity to attend free play, learning and holiday‑time activities they otherwise would have missed. Internationally, donations also help provide lifesaving aid, including nutrition, medical care, and support for families displaced by war or hardship, so children can grow up healthy, safe and with the chance to learn.
We hope that by coming together as a school community, wearing festive jumpers and giving what we can, we can make a real difference for children who need it most. Please rummage through spare change at home and send in any coins you can. Every contribution helps.
Term 02 Priority Parents’ Evenings | We will be holding the first of our two Parents' Evenings next week. On Thursday, 11 December, the onsite Parents' Evening will be for Year 11X Band and Sixth Form. All other Parents' Evening appointments will be held virtually. The school will close at 14:10 to allow students to get home or meet with family members ready for their appointments.
Extra-curricular clubs and interventions will not be running on this day.
In it, to win it! | This week, we brought back one of our students’ favourite attendance celebrations “In It to Win It!” This fun event gives every student an equal chance to win awesome prizes simply by being present at school.
We know that getting to school isn’t always easy, and we deeply appreciate the commitment our families and students make each day. “In It to Win It” is our way of saying thank you and celebrating the effort it takes to show up, learn, and grow.
Check out the photos below to see some of this week’s lucky winners! Their smiles say it all.
We’re already excited for next week’s round of “In It to Win It”, because every day in school is a chance to win!
Below are some quotes from our winners:
Safeguarding | Early Use of Make-Up | As children enter the early years of secondary school, many become increasingly curious about make-up, often influenced by friendship groups, social media trends or a desire to appear more grown-up. While experimenting with make-up can seem harmless, regular use at a young age can have important implications for both physical health and emotional wellbeing. For this reason, our school policy remains clear: students must not wear make-up in school.
Young people are especially vulnerable to the pressures created by beauty trends and online comparison. Constant exposure to adult focused routines and filtered images can cause children to question their appearance long before they are emotionally ready. This can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety about how they look, and a growing dependence on make-up to feel confident. These pressures can shape a child’s developing sense of identity, sometimes leaving them feeling uncomfortable or “not good enough” without cosmetic products. Protecting children from these influences is essential for their early mental health and long-term wellbeing.
Our role as a school is to create an environment where students feel valued for who they are, not how they look. Through our personal development curriculum and pastoral support, we help young people build confidence, resilience and a healthy relationship with their appearance. By working together, school and families, we can support children in developing positive self-esteem, reduce unnecessary pressures around looks, and ensure they grow up with safe, healthy habits that nurture both their wellbeing and their sense of self. If you have concerns about your child's use of make-up 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.
Gatsby Benchmark & Compass Plus | Our careers programme is built around the Gatsby Benchmarks, the national framework that sets out what high-quality careers education should look like in schools. These benchmarks ensure that every student receives personalised guidance, encounters with employers and universities, high-quality careers lessons, and clear preparation for their next steps. To monitor and strengthen our provision, we use Compass+, a national careers evaluation tool that helps schools track student engagement, plan high-quality careers activities, and ensure every young person is on track for a successful future. We are proud to share that in our most recent Compass+ assessment, we achieved 100% across all eight Gatsby Benchmarks. This reflects our strong commitment to providing every student with excellent careers education and outstanding support for their future pathways.
Curriculum Updates | Each week, we have done a spotlight on our different curriculums. This week, we focus on Spanish. 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.
Assembly This Week | Aids Awareness | This week, our students participated in a special assembly to raise awareness and commemorate World AIDS Day. The assembly was delivered by Mr Choudhury and Dr Lucas. During the session, they learned important information about HIV and AIDS, including how the virus is transmitted, ways to prevent infection, and the current status of the epidemic both globally and within our local community.
The assembly aimed to promote understanding, reduce stigma, and encourage students to think about how they can contribute to a supportive and informed society. By engaging with these topics, students gain the knowledge and awareness necessary to make safe choices and support those affected by HIV.
We are proud to provide opportunities for our students to learn about important health issues and global challenges, helping them develop empathy, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
What's been happening in Science this week? | This week, our Year 12 Biology students conducted an exciting laboratory investigation into the effects of ammonium hydroxide on dehydrogenase activity in chloroplasts. The experiment allowed students to explore the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis in a practical, hands-on way, deepening their understanding of how plants convert light energy into chemical energy.
During the investigation, students measured changes in enzyme activity when chloroplasts were exposed to different concentrations of ammonium hydroxide. This process helped them understand how environmental factors and chemical conditions can influence the efficiency of photosynthetic reactions. The activity also reinforced key concepts about the role of dehydrogenase enzymes in the electron transport chain, a crucial component of the light-dependent stage.
By conducting this experiment, students not only developed their laboratory skills such as data collection, analysis, and critical thinking but also gained a clearer understanding of the intricate biochemical processes that sustain life on Earth. The practical experience provided an invaluable opportunity to connect theoretical knowledge from the classroom with real-world scientific investigation.
What's been happening in Humanities this week? | This week, Mr Mack-Poole wanted to focus on what different members of his team were doing across the Humanities subject.
Mr Mack-Poole, the Faculty Director, brings unmistakable passion and expertise to his teaching of the Cold War. Here, he is guiding a Year 11 class through the powerful knowledge necessary to unlock high level historical thinking, using the SPEND framework: Statistics, Places, Events, Names and Dates, to sharpen their understanding. This approach does more than prepare students for an exam; it equips them with the tools to interpret complex historical processes and make precise, evidence-based arguments. Before attempting an exam style question on consequences, students are reminded that history is not just a timeline of disconnected moments, but a discipline built on analysis, causation and the ability to connect ideas with accuracy. Lessons like this embody the academic ambition at the heart of Lift Bexleyheath: we expect students to think with depth, argue with clarity and take pride in mastering challenging material.
Mr Sheehan (Jr), the Geography Lead at Lift Bexleyheath forensically monitors a Year 07 Class during an assessment. Mrs Stephens-Kobewka, the Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning has led CPDs making this a core part of our teacher practice at Lift Bexleyheath. Forensic monitoring is the process of tracking learning in real time and intervening immediately when misconceptions or weak skills appear. It prevents students from progressing with errors, ensuring that knowledge and structure are secured before moving on. This leads to faster progress, clearer data on who needs support, and far more effective classroom outcomes than feedback delivered after the lesson.
Our wonderful Religious Studies Lead, Miss Bailie, discusses situation ethics with her lovely Year 08 class whilst beaming due to the wonderful climate for learning. Situation ethics is based upon an ethical and moral context: do you change the way you deal with a moral decision based on the specific context of the situation, rather than by strict, universal rules? Students at Lift Bexleyheath are always highly engrossed in her lessons.
Year 11 & Sixth Form Mock Results Evening | On Thursday evening, we were thrilled to welcome students and their families to our Mock Results Celebration. This special event provided a fantastic opportunity to recognise the dedication, resilience, and progress students have demonstrated throughout the mock exam period. Mock exams are a vital part of the learning journey, they give students a realistic experience of exam conditions, highlight areas of strength and improvement, and help them develop strategies to succeed in their final assessments.
The atmosphere at the celebration was buzzing with positivity as students reflected on their achievements and set ambitious goals for the months ahead. Families shared in the excitement, offering support and encouragement:
We are incredibly grateful to families for their ongoing support. Together, we look forward to building on this momentum, helping students approach their final exams with confidence, focus, and a clear plan for success.
What have students been learning in Personal Development? | At Lift Bexleyheath, we are proud to offer a high quality Personal Development programme that helps every student grow in confidence, ambition, and independence. This term, all year groups are focusing on Careers Education, giving students the skills and knowledge they need to make informed choices about their futures. Through PD lessons, assemblies, workshops, careers talks, and one-to-one guidance, students gain real insight into the world of work, further education, apprenticeships, and the skills employers value most.
Years 07 and 08 are beginning their careers journey by discovering different job sectors, identifying their strengths, and understanding how their interests link to future pathways. They take part in engaging activities that show them what employers look for and how they can start building these skills now. Year 09 students are preparing for their GCSE options by exploring their personal strengths, learning how subjects connect to different careers, and thinking about long-term goals. Years 10 and 11 are developing the practical skills needed for life after GCSEs, including researching courses and apprenticeships, writing CVs, preparing for interviews, and understanding the modern labour market. Year 11 students also receive personalised guidance to support their next steps and exam readiness. Years 12 and 13 benefit from a specialist KS5 careers programme, covering UCAS, apprenticeships, personal branding, networking, money management, and preparation for employer assessment days. Sixth Form students also receive one-to-one careers support and Future Skills assessments tailored to their ambitions.
Throughout the term, students will also take part in Careers Insight Talks, workshops such as the Barclays Skills programme for Year 8, and preparation for work experience in Years 10 and 12. This comprehensive and carefully designed careers offer ensures that every student at Lift Bexleyheath feels supported, informed, and ready for the next stage of their journey, wherever it may lead.
Work Experience | Year 10 and Year 12 | We are pleased to inform you about the 2025/26 Work Experience Programme for Year 10 and Year 12 students, which will take place from Monday, 13 to Friday, 17 July 2026. Work experience provides students with valuable insights into the world of work, helping them develop essential skills, explore career options, and prepare for future opportunities. To provide full details and guidance, we will be holding a workshop for both parents and students in January 2026. Further information regarding the date and time of the workshop will be shared shortly. In the meantime, we encourage you to support your child in logging on to Unifrog and completing the Work Environments profile activity, which will help them explore potential career paths. We look forward to your support in helping students make the most of this opportunity. If you have any questions about our careers provision, please contact Dr Lucas, Assistant Principal (flucas@liftbexleyheath.org).
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 03 on the cycle.
Celebrating Neurodiversity | Dyscalculia | This week, we are celebrating Dyscalculia, a neurodiversity that affects number processing but often enhances verbal strengths, imagination, visual thinking, and creativity.
A well known person believed to have had dyscalculia is Albert Einstein, who reportedly struggled with arithmetic as a child but possessed extraordinary visual-spatial reasoning and the ability to imagine complex concepts in ways no one else could.
Like Einstein, many individuals at Lift Bexleyheath describe their dyscalculia as a superpower, giving them powerful storytelling skills, strong verbal communication, and the ability to understand the world through images, patterns, and creative thinking. These strengths enrich discussions, inspire peers, and bring new ways of learning into our community. Through their stories, we are reminded that dyscalculia is not a limitation, but a different way of thinking that brings imagination, clarity, and innovation to Lift Bexleyheath.
Christmas Showcase | We will be holding a Christmas Showcase for our community on Wednesday, 17 December from 17:00. Students will be sharing their; artwork, musical talents and drama performances that they have been working on this half term. Families can sign up for tickets for this event next weekend.
Masterclasses | Expanding minds beyond the classroom | This week, our students stepped into the fascinating world of maps, uncovering the stories, surprises, and mysteries hidden within them. They explored the history of mapmaking and discovered some incredible quirks, including the curious case of the Mountains of Kong, a completely fictional range that appeared on maps for over a century! Next week, the adventure continues as students dive into the creative world of language making, finding out how and why people invent new languages and what this tells us about communication, culture, and imagination. Exciting learning awaits! Please encourage your child to join our masterclasses on Wednesday at 08:00 in the Main Hall.
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
