Dear Parents and Carers,

A special request on behalf of Snowfields Academy

We are writing to respectfully ask for your cooperation over the next two weeks as our Year 11 students undertake their mock exams.

Snowfields students will be sitting their exams in an upstairs classroom that directly overlooks the main car park and drop-off area. As you may recall, exams can be a significant source of stress and anxiety, and we are working hard to maintain a calm and quiet environment for them.

We kindly request that, where possible, noise and disruption in the car park area are kept to an absolute minimum from Monday 17th November for two weeks.

We are a SEN school, and many of our neurodiverse students are highly sensitive to sudden or loud environmental noises. Sounds such as car horns or slamming doors can be extremely disruptive and impact their ability to concentrate. Please note that due to our differing daily schedule, our students will still be completing their exams during and immediately after your usual afternoon pick-up time.

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us provide a fair and focused testing environment for all of our students.

Yours sincerely,

The Snowfields Team 

Weekly PYP Update

In this week's PYP update, we look at how it all fits in with the National Curriculum. At Leigh Academy Bearsted, we are thrilled to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) to our children. This program provides a framework for learning that is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant. We believe that the PYP prepares children to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and participate in the world around them. We provide a learning environment where children feel happy, secure and valued. 

Our IB Journey 

Leigh Academy Bearsted is a proud IB World academy, preparing for our official re-evaluation in January 2026.

We’ve joined with Leigh Academy Molehill, Oaks, Treetops and Langley Park to form a multi-campus model, strengthening collaboration and enriching our PYP programme.

What Is the PYP? 

The PYP is an international curriculum framework designed for children aged 3-12 years. It focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. It is defined by six transdisciplinary themes of global significance, explored using knowledge and skills derived from six subject areas, as well as transdisciplinary skills, with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning.

How It Fits with the National Curriculum 

The PYP is not a separate curriculum, but a framework for delivering the National Curriculum in an engaging and meaningful way. It provides a structure for inquiry-based learning that allows children to make connections between different subject areas and to the world around them. The National Curriculum subjects are explored through units of inquiry, designed around the transdisciplinary themes. The subject areas are:

• Language (linking to Reading, Writing & Spanish in the National Curriculum)

• Mathematics

• Science

• Social Studies (linking to History & Geography in the National Curriculum)

• Arts (linking to Art, DT & Music in the National Curriculum)

• Personal, Social and Physical Education (linking to PSHE/RSE, RE & PE in the National Curriculum)

Connecting with the National Curriculum

The PYP complements the National Curriculum by integrating:

• Discrete skills lessons (such as Phonics, Maths, Reading & Science).

• Inquiry-led learning that connects subjects through real-world themes.

• Curriculum coverage tracking to ensure all National Curriculum objectives are met.