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.
Year 06 Letter Home | Please find the Year 06 letter from the Principal 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).
Inclusion Virtual Events | Term 06 | Families of SEND students will be provided with the opportunity to meet with Ms Hajarie, SENDCo, on a Tuesday. This is a continuation of the opportunities that were provided during previous terms. 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 ten 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).
Thank a Teacher Day | On Tuesday, 17 June, we will be joining schools across the country in celebrating Thank a Teacher Day, a special occasion dedicated to recognising the incredible impact that teachers and school staff have on children and young people every single day.
It is a chance to pause and say a heartfelt thank you to those who go above and beyond, whether through inspiring lessons, quiet encouragement, or the care and support they show behind the scenes.
We would love for our community to take part by sharing messages of appreciation. If a member of staff has made a difference to you or your child, please consider sending a short note of thanks using the link here.
Your kind words really do matter. They boost morale, celebrate dedication, and remind our staff just how valued they are. Even a few sentences can make someone’s day!
Let's Read at Home over Summer | We know that reading can open doors to imagination, confidence, and lifelong learning, and the summer holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to nurture this habit at home.
As the writer George R.R. Martin reminds us, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.” With this in mind, we are encouraging all students to spend time reading over the summer and, where possible, to enjoy this together with you.
To support this, we are delighted to offer each student the opportunity to choose one free book for you to enjoy at home as a family. There is no cost to you, simply select a book that you and your child would like to read together.
While students continue to have access to digital platforms such as Sparx Reader and Bedrock, we recognise the unique value of a physical book, the feel of turning pages, the chance to share a story side by side, and the opportunity to pause, discuss, and reflect together. As Dr. Seuss famously said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Key information:
We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and make reading a shared and enjoyable part of your summer. If you would like to select a book, please use this form here.
Safeguarding | Strangers in Bexleyheath | We would like to thank our community for continuing to share information with us. Your vigilance plays a vital role in helping us keep all of our children safe.
We have been made aware of reports of an individual in the Bexleyheath area approaching young people while carrying a bag of money and using this to gain their attention. We understand that this individual is known to the police.
While there is no immediate cause for alarm, we are asking all families to take some simple, proactive steps to help keep children safe:
Please continue to speak with your child about personal safety in a calm and reassuring way. If they feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any time, they should seek help from a trusted adult or a safe place.
We will continue to work closely with local partners and keep you updated as needed. Thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our community safe.
Year 12 Urban Planning Project | Year 12 students took part in the UrbanPlan workshop on Thursday, 04 June, an engaging and interactive programme that introduced them to the challenges and opportunities involved in urban regeneration. Working in teams, students formed their own property companies and competed to redevelop a fictional city centre site called Ellham.
Throughout the four-hour workshop, students considered a range of real-world issues, including finance, design, sustainability, ethics, and community needs. Their task was to create a financially viable development that balanced commercial and residential uses while contributing positively to the local area.
The workshop concluded with each team pitching their proposals to industry professionals, who provided valuable feedback and insights into the property and built environment sectors. The experience helped students develop teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills, while also highlighting a variety of career opportunities in urban planning, real estate, architecture, and development.
UrbanPlan successfully brought classroom learning to life, helping students understand how cities are shaped and regenerated while encouraging them to think about the future of the communities in which they live and work.
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Principal's Drop-ins | As highlighted in last week’s Latest News, the Principal, Rubeka Luthfa, is offering families the opportunity to book a virtual drop-in meeting.
These sessions are designed to provide a direct line of communication with the Principal. Families may use this time to discuss any unresolved concerns, ask questions about the school, or simply have a general check-in.
Each appointment will last 20 minutes. To ensure fair access for all families, we kindly ask that bookings are only made if you are able to attend.
Once a booking has been made, the Principal will contact you via email to gather further information about the purpose of the meeting. This will allow any necessary preparation to take place in advance and help ensure that the time is used as effectively as possible.
A range of appointment times has been made available to accommodate different schedules and maximise accessibility for all families.
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).
Inclusion | Executive Functioning Skills | Executive functioning refers to the brain-based skills that help us organise, plan, remember information, manage emotions, stay focused and complete tasks. For some young people with SEND, these skills may develop differently and can create challenges with starting work, managing time, remembering instructions, or adapting to change.
At home, families can support the development of these skills through simple, consistent strategies. Visual timetables, checklists, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and creating predictable routines can help reduce stress and build confidence.
It is important to remember that independence grows over time. Supporting young people does not mean doing things for them, but providing the right tools so they can gradually develop their own strategies.
By understanding executive functioning, we can better recognise strengths, reduce barriers, and help young people become confident learners who feel prepared to manage challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
KS3 End-of -Year Assessments | We would like to inform families about the upcoming Key Stage 3 (Years 07–09) summer assessment that will be taking place in the examination halls. All students will complete end-of-year assessments in the exam halls for: English, Maths and Science, with Year 07 also assessed in Geography, Computing and History, and Year 08 additionally assessed in Geography and Computing. These assessments are standardised across the Trust and are designed to measure students’ understanding of the curriculum covered this year and determine bands and sets for next academic year.
All students will also complete the NGRT to assess reading ability against a national benchmark, alongside a nationally standardised writing assessment through No More Marking which is an incredible tool to help get an accurate understand of your child's ability through AI technology which allows accurate moderation to take place. These assessments provide valuable insight into students’ reading and writing performance compared to their peers nationally and help inform future teaching and support.
Assessments will take place during normal lesson times under formal conditions to ensure fairness and consistency. All students, including those with SEND, will receive appropriate support in line with their usual classroom provision. Assessment outcomes will be used to inform progress, identify next steps, and support planning for the next academic year. We encourage all students to attend regularly and come fully prepared with the correct equipment.
We will share the exams that will take place in the examination halls below. These do not include in class assessments.
For the week commencing, Monday, 08 June, the following assessments are scheduled:
For the week commencing, Monday, 15 June, the following assessments are scheduled:
For the week commencing, Monday, 22 June, the following assessments are scheduled:
These are short assessments and are spread out across the next six weeks.
Students that miss assessments will complete them on the next available date.
Year 10 & 12 Mock Examinations | Our Year 10 students have approached their first mock examinations this week with maturity and resilience, and we are incredibly proud of how well they have managed the experience.
Next week’s examination schedule is outlined below, including approximate start and finish times. Please note that these timings do not include any additional time allocated for students with access arrangements, as this will vary depending on individual needs.
The Year 12 timetable can be found on the Sixth Form Newsletter.
School Trips | Term 06 | As you are aware, this half-term we have a number of trips taking place for our students and it is important that families know that if we do not have signed permission slips, students will not be allowed to attend. Unfortunately, we can not accept verbal permission for students and nor can we accept completed forms on the day. Trips take a lot of time to plan to make sure that students have a great time out of school and are safe. Therefore we request that families complete their permission slips on time. This will also ensure that students are not disappointed.
Extra-curricular | Term 06 may already be underway, but there is still time to get involved in a new activity. Joining a club is a great way to meet people from different year groups, try an activity you may never have considered before, and build confidence outside the classroom.
If you’re looking to learn a new skill, get active, be creative, or simply spend time with friends, we have a wide range of clubs on offer. Many of our clubs welcome new members throughout the term, so don't worry if you haven't signed up before.
Take a look at all the clubs on offer here, and get involved this term!
What's been happening in Food Prep & Nutrition this week? | Year 10 Food Preparation & Nutrition students recently took part in a detailed sensory analysis investigation, developing both their subject knowledge and practical evaluation skills used within the food industry.
During the activity, students learned how to apply professional tasting techniques to assess food products systematically. They explored key sensory characteristics: appearance, aroma, texture, taste and overall acceptability, while building their understanding of how these factors influence consumer preference and product success. Students also developed their use of precise sensory vocabulary, enabling them to describe food in a more technical and accurate way.
A key focus of the investigation was the use of star profile analysis, a method widely used in food development. Students used this tool to record and visually represent their findings, allowing them to compare products objectively, identify strengths and weaknesses, and draw evidence-based conclusions.
Throughout the process, students strengthened a range of transferable skills, including critical thinking, data interpretation, evaluation, and clear communication of findings. They also gained insight into how sensory testing supports decision-making in areas such as product development, quality assurance and nutrition.
Students reflected positively on the experience. One commented, “It was interesting to see how different people described the same food in different ways,” highlighting their growing understanding of subjectivity in sensory analysis. Another noted, “The star profiles helped me compare the products and decide which one was best,” demonstrating their ability to apply analytical tools effectively.
This practical investigation has provided students with a deeper understanding of how food products are tested, refined and improved before reaching consumers, while equipping them with knowledge and skills that are directly relevant to careers in the food and hospitality industries.
Safeguarding | Why Jokes About Appearance Matter: Supporting Young People's Wellbeing and Self-Esteem | Humour plays an important role in all our lives and can help build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social connections. It can also support our mental health in the same way that listening to music or similar activities do. However, jokes about a person's appearance can have a significant impact on wellbeing and self-esteem, particularly during the secondary school years.
Adolescence is a time when young people are developing their identity and becoming increasingly aware of how they are perceived by others. Comments about weight, height, skin, hair, clothing, disability, or other physical characteristics may sometimes be dismissed as harmless teasing or "just banter", but they can affect how a young person feels about themselves. What may seem like a joke to one person can be experienced very differently by the person on the receiving end. In addition, such comments may also be covered by the provisions of the 2010 Equality Act
Negative comments about appearance can contribute to lower self-esteem, poor body image, anxiety, and reduced confidence. Repeated teasing, even when it is not intended to cause harm, can leave young people feeling embarrassed, self-conscious, or excluded. For some, these experiences can influence how they see themselves for many years.
The influence of social media can make these challenges even greater. Young people are regularly exposed to edited images and unrealistic standards of beauty and appearance. In this context, jokes that focus on physical characteristics can reinforce the idea that a person's worth is linked to how they look rather than who they are. This can place additional pressure on young people who may already be struggling with confidence or concerns about their appearance.
Parents and carers have an important role to play in promoting positive self-esteem and emotional wellbeing. Encouraging respectful language, challenging appearance-based teasing, and modelling kindness can help young people understand the importance of treating others with dignity and respect. It is also helpful to recognise and praise qualities such as effort, resilience, kindness, creativity, and character, rather than focusing primarily on appearance.
It is important to remember that young people do not always show when they have been hurt by a comment. A remark that seems insignificant to an adult or peer may stay with a young person long after it has been said. By fostering a culture of empathy and respect at home and in school, we can help young people feel valued for who they are, develop healthy self-esteem, and maintain positive wellbeing. Encouraging children to think about the impact of their words before they speak can make a meaningful difference. Kind words have the power to build confidence, while careless comments can undermine it.
If you have any concerns about your child’s safety or wellbeing, 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.
Changes to the School Day | Myth Busting | We would also like to address a common misconception regarding creative subjects. We are not reducing our commitment to the creative arts. Instead, we are strengthening and broadening our overall curriculum offer.
From September:
This means that students will experience a broad and balanced curriculum, with a strong balance between academic subjects and creative disciplines.
These changes also reflect the evolving nature of the world beyond school. The current labour market increasingly values a combination of creativity, problem solving, and technical skills. By strengthening both our creative and technological curriculum, we are ensuring that students are well prepared for future opportunities in areas such as digital media, engineering, design, and emerging industries.
Our aim is to provide a curriculum that not only supports academic success but also develops confident, creative and adaptable young people who are ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Uniform Misconception | We would like to address a misconception that has recently come to our attention regarding the school uniform. Some families have been under the impression that female students are not permitted to wear trousers. We would like to clarify that this is not correct.
At our school, the uniform is not gender specific. All students may choose to wear either trousers or a skirt, depending on what they feel most comfortable in.
If students choose to wear trousers, there are a small number of clear expectations. Trousers must be made from traditional suit fabric and be straight-legged. Leggings, flared styles, or fashion trousers are not permitted.
From a practical perspective, we do encourage the use of trousers where possible. This is because we have experienced far fewer issues with compliance when students wear trousers. Where skirts are worn, they must be of an appropriate length in line with our uniform policy.
It is important to remember that our school uniform is not a fashion statement. A consistent and smart uniform plays a key role in supporting students by:
We appreciate your support in ensuring that all students attend school in the correct uniform and in line with our expectations.
Lift Bexleyheath
Woolwich Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA6 7DA
