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.
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End-of-Term Arrangements | Term three ends on Friday, 13 February, at 15:10.
Year 11 Weekly Newsletter | Please find the Year 11 Weekly Newsletter from the Year 11 Team here.
Sixth Form Weekly 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).
Extra-Curricular Clubs & Interventions Next Week | All extra-curricular clubs and interventions will be running next week, and this is a great time to get involved. If your child is thinking about trying something new for an extra-curricular club, our lunchtime clubs are a perfect place to start. They offer a fun way to explore different interests, spend time with friends, and make the most of the school day. Our full club offer can be viewed here.
Year 09 Priority Parents' Evening | We will be holding our Parents' Evening for this term on Wednesday, 11 February. On this day, the school will close at 14:10 to allow us to provide more appointments in response to your feedback. Meetings can be booked from 14:30. The onsite meetings will be for Year 09 families only however, families in other year groups can also book appointments with teacher that do not teach Year 09. These meetings will be virtual.
IN IT TO WIN IT | We’re excited to let you know that next week we’ll be running our famous 'In It to Win It' every day. Be at your lunchtime line up for the announcement of the daily winners. With 150 rewards up for grabs, you really do have to be in it to win it!
Uniform Delivery | We have listened to your feedback regarding the cost of uniform delivery and are pleased to announce a new arrangement with Stevensons. Uniform items can now be delivered free of charge to the school and collected by a parent or carer on Fridays. Please note that items cannot be collected by students, to ensure that all purchases are taken home safely and correctly. Families remain responsible for any returns, and any issues with delivery should be resolved directly with Stevensons. The school is not responsible for managing uniform purchases, deliveries, or returns. This change aims to make collecting uniform easier and more cost-effective for families, while ensuring a smooth and organised process.
Assembly This Week | Safer Internet Day | This week’s school assembly focused on Safer Internet Day, which takes place on Tuesday, 10 February. The session encouraged students to celebrate the invention of the internet and recognise how it has transformed learning, communication and opportunities around the world, while also highlighting the risks that come with being online.
During the assembly, students explored how the internet supports education, creativity and global connection, but were also reminded of the importance of staying safe online. Key messages included protecting personal information, thinking carefully before sharing content, reporting concerns and knowing where to go for help in school.
Students were keen to share their reflections on the assembly:
The assembly supported the school’s ongoing work to promote digital responsibility and ensure that all students understand how to enjoy the benefits of the online world while keeping themselves and others safe.
What's been happening in DT this week? | Our Year 10 Engineering students are currently deep in the design stages of developing their ideas and the creativity on display has been fantastic to see!
Over recent lessons, students have been developing and refining their design ideas, exploring how a simple product can be transformed through clever engineering thinking. From displays to adaptable keepsake designs, pupils have been carefully sketching, annotating and improving their concepts step by step.
The work shows a strong focus on:
It’s been brilliant to see students experimenting with different shapes, layouts and features, such as hinged sections, interchangeable panels and decorative elements. Many have also been considering how their products could be personalised, making them meaningful as well as functional.
This stage of the project is all about thinking like engineers: testing ideas on paper, spotting improvements and justifying design decisions. The level of effort and imagination on show suggests we have some very exciting final outcomes to look forward to later in the year.
Well done to all of Year 10 for their focus, creativity and commitment so far!
Safeguarding | Why are uniform consistencies so important? | Uniform policies play a meaningful role in supporting the mental health and well-being of students in secondary schools. While uniforms are often associated with discipline and school identity, they also contribute to a safer, more inclusive environment that reduces unnecessary pressures on young people. One of the key benefits of a consistent uniform is the reduction of social comparison. Adolescence is a time when many students are highly aware of how they appear to others. When everyone is dressed similarly, there is less focus on brands, trends, or expensive clothing. This can help minimise feelings of insecurity, prevent financial pressure on families, and reduce opportunities for bullying related to appearance.
Skirts that meet the school’s agreed length are an important part of this consistency. Fashion trends can sometimes encourage very short styles, which may lead to students feeling self-consciousness, pressures of comparisons which young people struggle with or discomfort during the school day. A standardised length helps students feel appropriately dressed for a learning environment and reduces pressure to follow changing trends as well as emotional load. It also supports fairness, ensuring expectations are the same for everyone and preventing students from feeling singled out.
Similarly, trousers should be worn so they sit securely on the waist rather than below it. This supports comfort and practicality, allowing students to move confidently throughout the day without distraction or the need for frequent adjustment. Consistent expectations around how uniform is worn help maintain a smart, purposeful atmosphere and reduce peer pressure to adopt styles that may not be suitable for a school setting.
Uniforms help students feel part of a community. A shared identity can foster a sense of belonging and pride, which is strongly linked to positive mental health outcomes. When students feel connected to their school, they are often more confident, more engaged in learning, and more likely to seek support when they need it. Clear and fairly applied uniform expectations provide structure and predictability, both important for emotional well-being. Knowing what is expected each day removes one potential source of morning stress and decision-making, allowing students to focus their energy on learning and social relationships instead.
From a safeguarding perspective, uniforms make it easier for staff to identify who belongs on the school site and to quickly notice if a student is out of place or potentially at risk. This contributes to an overall sense of safety, which is fundamental to well-being. Uniform policies are not simply about appearance, they are part of a wider commitment to creating a calm, equitable, and supportive school environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. If you have any concerns about your child’s safety or well-being, 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.
British Heart Foundation Support | On Friday 13 February, students are invited to add a splash of red to their normal school uniform to help raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The British Heart Foundation is a leading UK charity that funds vital research into heart and circulatory diseases, including heart attacks, strokes and vascular dementia. The money raised helps scientists develop new treatments, improve early diagnosis and support people living with heart conditions, helping more families across the country to live longer, healthier lives. Students are welcome to wear one red item alongside their usual school uniform to show their support and raise awareness. Any donation, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated, and will contribute directly to the British Heart Foundation’s life-saving work.
Inclusion Update | We would like to highlight three popular clubs run by our Inclusion Team to support our students at the school daily:
Week 05 | Student Scholarship | This week’s student scholarship is on the important topic of sustainability. KS3 were asked to read a think piece on single use plastic and then discuss actionable steps they can take to ensure they are being ethical and conscious consumers. Prep Champions guiding students through the piece and ensuring students engage in meaningful discussion after reading the Think Piece. We hope that these activities have inspired our students to adopt sustainable habits. The Think Piece is a part of our student Scholarship Programme which all students are a part of every fortnight on a Friday.
Aspens Canteen Menu | Families have requested to see the menu for the food available in the canteen which can be found below. This does not include breakfast items. This week, we will have the Week 03 menu:
What's been happening in English this week? | The week, the English department want to celebrate Aiden, who recently shared his own original creative writing story with his teacher. This impressive piece demonstrates not only Aiden’s developing skills in storytelling, but also his strong enthusiasm for engaging with creative writing beyond the classroom.
Aiden’s work reflects his ability to craft imaginative ideas, structure a compelling narrative, and experiment with language, showing real initiative and a passion for literacy. Recognising students like Aiden highlights the importance of encouraging creativity and independent learning, as well as celebrating the individual talents and achievements of our learners.
The English Department at Lift Bexleyheath is committed to fostering strong oracy skills across the school, recognising the importance of confident speaking and effective communication in both academic and professional settings.
On Friday, the department partnered with Jack Petachy to deliver specialised workshops to all Year 12 students. These sessions were designed to help students enhance their spoken communication, equipping them with the confidence and techniques needed for a variety of real-world situations, including course presentations, interviews for further education, and future employment opportunities.
Through these workshops, students practised key oracy skills such as clarity of expression, audience engagement, persuasive communication, and structured speaking. The initiative underlines the school’s commitment to preparing students not only for academic success but also for life beyond the classroom.
Safety, all day, everyday | At Lift Bexleyheath, student supervision and safety are at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that unstructured times of the school day, before school, during break and lunchtime, and after school, are just as important as lessons when it comes to supporting students’ wellbeing.
To ensure that students can always find help quickly and easily, staff on duty wear our well-known high-visibility waistcoats. These make key adults instantly recognisable across the site, helping students to feel reassured and confident about who to approach if they need support, guidance or immediate help.
Before school and during break and lunch times, students have access to the three key leaders for their year group on the playground: the Pastoral Manager, Student Success Leaders, Year Group Lead and Assistant Principal. This ensures that there is always a familiar and trusted team available to support students with day-to-day concerns, friendships, behaviour and well-being.
In addition, our School Counsellor, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Vice Principals and Principal are also visible around the playgrounds and canteen every day, providing further layers of support and supervision for students.
During lessons changeovers as mentioned last week, every staff member in the school is on the corridors or staircases to continue to provide supervision and support through the day and to ensure that students feel seen and safe.
High visibility plays a vital role in creating a safe and supportive school environment. When students can clearly see staff members on duty, it reduces uncertainty and anxiety, supports positive behaviour and enables concerns to be dealt with quickly. It also helps students, particularly those who may feel vulnerable, unsettled or worried, to know exactly where to go for help without having to search for an adult.
By maintaining a strong staff presence and ensuring key adults are highly visible throughout the school day, Lift Bexleyheath continues to promote a culture of care, safety and approachability, helping all students feel secure, supported and ready to learn.
Year 09 Options Evening Bazaar | The Year 09 Options Evening at Lift Bexleyheath offered parents, carers, and students a detailed and informative guide to the transition from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4. The event aimed to help students make thoughtful decisions about their GCSE subjects by balancing academic challenge with personal interests, ensuring every student is set up for success in the coming years.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet with Faculty Directors and Subject Leads from across the curriculum, gaining insights into course content, assessment methods, and future pathways. Students were also supported by our subject ambassadors, who shared their experiences and advice on particular subjects, helping prospective GCSE learners to make informed choices.
The evening proved to be a great success, providing families with the information, guidance, and reassurance they need to support students in selecting the subjects that best suit their strengths, aspirations, and interests.
Lift Bexleyheath
Woolwich Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7DA
