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 questions 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 start from the week commencing, Monday, 02 March.
Mensa Success! | We are thrilled to share some incredible news regarding one of our own. This month, Tobias took on the prestigious challenge of the supervised Mensa IQ test and the results are in! Tobias’s performance was nothing short of exceptional. His results place him in the top 6% for IQ in the UK, a remarkable achievement that speaks to his logic, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Joining the ranks of some of the sharpest minds in the country is a testament to his hard work and natural curiosity. For those who may not be familiar, Mensa is the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world. Founded in 1946, its mission is to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity. To become a member of the society, an individual must score within the upper 2% of the general population on an approved intelligence test.
100% So Far | Pizza Party | At our school, we believe that showing up is the first step toward success. Whether it’s achieving a perfect 100% for the term, showing a personal best in improvement, or maintaining a flawless record since September, we make it a priority to recognize every student’s effort to be in the classroom. To celebrate the incredible grit shown by our "Year-to-Date" 100%ers, we hosted a Pizza Party this week! It was a fantastic afternoon of music, celebration, and, of course, plenty of slices to go around. It was our way of saying "we see your hard work, and we are proud of you." For those that missed it due to fasting, they will have another party available to them after Eid. While we celebrated these specific students this week, we want to extend a huge thank you to all our families for your efforts over the recent half-term. Whether your child is aiming for their first 100% week or working hard to improve their previous record, we see the effort you are putting in.
Dynamic Progress Reporting (DPR) | DPR is the platform that we use to ensure that students and families are provided with qualitative feedback about their progress in each subject. On Monday, 09 March, we will be holding a face-to-face DPR (Data and Progress Report) drop-in clinic at the school for parents and carers that are have issues with using this platform. The clinic is open to all parents/carers of students in Years 07–10 and will provide individual 10-minute appointments, which can be booked via Schools Cloud.
The purpose of these sessions is to support parents and carers with:
To make the most of the appointment, parents/carers are strongly encouraged to bring their own device (laptop, tablet or suitable mobile phone) so they can access their account during the session. Appointments will be available between 15:30 and 16:10.
If demand is high, we will arrange additional sessions to ensure all families who need support are able to access the clinic.
Community Safety | The Lift Bexleyheath Way | At our school, student safety doesn’t end when the final bell rings.
Every afternoon, members of our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) are out in key areas of the local community wearing high-visibility jackets to support students as they make their way home. Staff are positioned at the school gates, on Broadway, at the skate park near ASDA, and at the Woolwich Road bus stop to ensure SLT remain clearly visible, accessible, and ready to support.
This strong staff presence allows us to guide students through busy public spaces and helps ensure they leave calmly and responsibly. Just as importantly, it provides a reassuring point of contact for any student who may need support or wishes to report something that has happened on their journey home.
Our team also takes this opportunity to remind students of the importance of remaining civil in public and showing respect to others in the community. Representing the school positively is something we take pride in, and our students consistently rise to this expectation.
These after-school checks reflect our ongoing commitment to safeguarding, well-being, and strong community relationships. By maintaining a visible SLT presence beyond the school gates, we aim to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and confident as they head home each day.
Whilst recent concerns around School Wars have made some schools add presence in the local community on Friday, we want to highlight that at Lift Bexleyheath, this is a daily expectation.
This Week's Assembly Focus | Rough Play | In response to the current social media trend commonly referred to as “school wars”, this week’s assembly focused on helping students understand what rough or harmful behaviour can look like, how it may begin, and the serious impact it can have on individuals, friendships and the wider school community.
Students were supported to recognise a range of realistic and age-appropriate scenarios, including situations where behaviour may initially appear to be a joke or part of an online challenge, but can quickly escalate into intimidation, harassment or physical harm — particularly when influenced or encouraged by social media.
The assembly encouraged students to reflect on:
We also reinforced the importance of consent, respect and personal responsibility, making it clear that being pressured by peers or online trends does not remove individual accountability for behaviour. Students were reminded of the importance of speaking to a trusted adult in school if they feel unsafe, concerned about others, or become aware of behaviour linked to online challenges.
As a school, we remain fully committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, where all members of our community feel secure, supported and valued. We continue to work closely with students and families to promote positive behaviour, responsible use of social media and early reporting of any concerns.
Inclusion Virtual Events | Term 04 | Families of SEND students will be provided with the opportunity to meet with Ms Hajarie, SENDCo, on a Monday. This is a continuation of the opportunities that were provided during Term 01 and 02. These sessions will be 15 minutes and will be virtual. The dates are as follows:
Appointments are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis and will open nine days before the event on a Saturday afternoon at 14:00. 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].
Personal Development | Place of worship Visit | We are pleased to share that our Year 07 and Year 12 students will be taking part in upcoming visits to a local church as part of their Personal Development programme. The visits will take place on Tuesday, 03 March, with 7Y_Pd3 and 7Y_Pd3, Wednesday, 04 March with all of Year 12s, and Friday, 06 March, with: 7Y_Pd1, 7Y_Pd2, 7Z_Pd1 and 7Z_Pd2. The remaining Year 07 group will attend their visit at a later date. These visits are educational experiences focused on understanding community, values and culture. Students will explore the role places of worship play within society, learn about different beliefs and traditions, and reflect on themes such as identity, belonging and shared values. The experience supports students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and promotes the fundamental British Values of mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. By engaging with diverse perspectives, students develop greater cultural awareness, respect for others and a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusion within modern society. We look forward to the positive impact this experience will have on students’ personal growth and confidence. If you have any concerns or questions regarding this trip which will be taking place during their PD lessons this week or do not provide permission for your child to attend for whatever reason, please contact Ms Shalo, Vice-Principal (ishalo@liftbexleyheath.org).
Inclusion | Supporting students with ASD | At our school, we celebrate neurodiversity and recognise that students with Autism Spectrum Difference (ASD) experience and understand the world in unique and valuable ways. Small, consistent strategies used both at school and at home can make a big difference to a child’s confidence, well-being and success. Many children with ASD benefit from predictable routines and clear expectations. Preparing your child in advance for changes, such as new activities or transitions, can help reduce anxiety. Visual supports, calendars and simple step-by-step reminders are often effective.
Communication may also look different for children with ASD. Using clear, concise instructions, allowing extra processing time and calmly checking understanding can support positive interactions. It is helpful to remember that behaviour is often a form of communication, and may reflect overwhelm, confusion or sensory needs rather than intentional misbehaviour. Most importantly, focusing on your child’s strengths and interests builds motivation and self-esteem. Celebrating what they enjoy and do well helps them feel understood and valued. On Tuesday, 17 March at 16:30, we will be holding an information evening about for ASD Awareness. This will be a virtual event and anyone can join. We will share a link via email to families closer to the time. This event is not just for families who have children with ASD but for anyone that would like to learn more about it.
Safeguarding | County Lines | Keeping young people safe is a shared responsibility between school and families. One growing concern across the UK is county lines and the criminal exploitation of children and young people. County lines refers to organised crime networks that move illegal drugs from larger cities such as London, Birmingham and Liverpool into smaller towns and rural areas using dedicated mobile phone lines. Children are often groomed and exploited to carry, store, or sell drugs. This is known as child criminal exploitation. It is important to remember that these young people are victims, even if they appear to be involved in criminal activity.
Exploiters may offer money, gifts, friendship, or status to gain trust, and later use intimidation or threats to maintain control. Warning signs can include unexplained money or new possessions, increased secrecy, going missing, travelling long distances without explanation, changes in behaviour or attendance, or carrying multiple mobile phones. Parents and carers can help by maintaining open, non-judgemental conversations, knowing who their child spends time with, and monitoring changes in behaviour. If you have concerns, please contact the school safeguarding team. You can also seek confidential advice from organisations such as the NSPCC and Crimestoppers. By working together, we can help protect young people from harm and ensure they feel safe and supported. If you have any concerns about your child’s safety or well-being, please contact the school’s safeguarding team without (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.
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. For the next week, we will have the Week 02 menu:
Careers Insight Talk This Week | Sports Therapist | This week’s Careers Insight Talk was delivered by Ms Sharon Onyango, who gave an engaging and informative presentation on opportunities within the field of sport therapy. She spoke in depth about the different entry routes into the profession, the range of roles available, and how career progression can develop over time, from education and clinical placements through to advanced practice and specialist areas.
Ms Onyango also shared valuable insights into the challenges within the sport therapy field, including the physical demands of the role, the importance of strong communication skills, continuous professional development, and building trust with clients and athletes. With over 12 years of experience working in sport therapy both in the UK and internationally, she was able to provide real-life examples that gave students a clear and realistic understanding of the profession.
Students particularly enjoyed learning what makes sport therapy such an exciting and rewarding career, from supporting athletes’ recovery and performance to making a direct impact on people’s physical wellbeing. We encourage parents and carers to continue this conversation at home by exploring Labour Market Information (LMI) together. Looking at entry requirements, salary expectations, and progression routes across different sports professions can help students make informed and confident decisions about their future pathways.
World Book Day | To celebrate World Book Day on Thursday, 05 March, we will have a range of exciting events to celebrate World Book Day. We are excited to invite our students to bring a touch of literary magic into the classroom! We want to encourage a love for reading while maintaining our focused learning environment. Therefore, we are inviting students to incorporate one specific item or accessory from a favorite book character into their attire for the day. This means that students must remain in full school uniform, however can bring in an accessory (for example, one item representing a book character, e.g., a "Golden Ticket" in a pocket, a specific scarf, a character's hat, or a subtle prop). Some of the activities on the day will include:
Masterclasses | Expanding minds beyond the classroom | Our Masterclasses are back this week! This week, the Masterclass will be about Animal Communication. Animals have some of the most incredible communication systems on the planet and they don’t need a single human word to do it.Please encourage your child to join our masterclasses on Wednesday at 08:00 in the Main Hall.
Year 10 Exam boards | Families have asked for the exam board that our Year 10 students are studying for core subjects which can be found below:
What's been happening in Spanish this week? | Our wonderful Year 8s have been practising how to invite someone out in Spanish. Through structured speaking tasks, role-play activities and modelled dialogue, students have been building their confidence in asking and answering questions such as:
¿Te gustaría ir al cine?
¿Te gustaría ir a la bolera este fin de semana?
Our Year 8 Spanish students in 8Z4 have been hard at work developing one of the most important language-learning skills: speaking with confidence.
As part of our Trust-wide focus on improving oracy among young people, the MFL department has been placing an even greater emphasis on increasing the amount of Spanish spoken in lessons. We want our students not just to learn Spanish, but to use it confidently and spontaneously in real life contexts.
By rehearsing and performing these conversations aloud, students are improving their pronunciation, fluency and spontaneity, key skills as they move towards GCSE study.
To reinforce new vocabulary and boost pronunciation, students also took part in a lively game of Battleships, Spanish style! This engaging, competitive activity allowed students to:
The classroom was full of purposeful talk, laughter and confident Spanish speaking and we are incredibly proud of 8Z4 for embracing the challenge and stepping outside their comfort zones. ¡Muy bien, chicos!
What's been happening in Humanities this week? | In Mr Reavell's KS5 lessons, students began the British Empire colonial policy lesson with a focused retrieval task that strengthened recall of key facts and concepts, creating a strong foundation for high-level evaluative writing. The calm, academically ambitious environment promoted accountability, precise written expression and collaborative refinement of ideas. Overall, the lesson demonstrated rigorous, knowledge-rich practice that supports long-term understanding and A-level success.
In Mr Miah's class, KS3 students have an introduction to the Industrial Revolution marked the start of an exciting learning journey for his students. They were clearly engaged, keen to understand how innovation, industry and social change would unfold across the unit.
What stood out particularly was Mr Miah’s forensic monitoring of the classroom. He moved with intent, checking understanding, probing answers and ensuring that every student was thinking carefully and recording their learning accurately. Expectations were high, and students responded positively.
Mr Mack-Poole taught his year 10 class an intertwined lesson recapping the year 10 Edexcel GCSE content with regard to Weimar and Nazi Germany (1918-1939). This is because the year 10 students had worked so hard and with such ability that they’ve progressed very far beyond their original content. This lesson consisted of the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the weaknesses of the Weimar constitution, with students evaluating the causes, events and consequences of this.
Year 10 | Tate Britain Trip | This week, our Year 10 Art students took part in an exciting and enriching visit to Tate Britain as part of their Level 2 BTEC Art and Design course.
The visit provided students with the opportunity to experience original artworks first-hand and to engage directly with a wide range of artistic styles, themes and techniques. Seeing work in a professional gallery setting helps students develop a deeper understanding of how artists communicate ideas, experiment with materials and present their work to an audience.
This experience directly supports students’ coursework by enabling them to:
Students will now use the research and creative responses gathered during the visit to inform their ongoing project work, supporting the development of ideas, experimentation with materials and refinement of outcomes. This will contribute directly towards the assessment evidence required for their Level 2 BTEC Art course.
Visits such as this are an essential part of the curriculum, helping students to broaden their cultural understanding, build confidence in their creative decision-making and experience how art exists and functions beyond the classroom.
Lift Bexleyheath
Woolwich Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7DA
