Halley's Comment - Issue 35

Halley's Comment

Issue 35 - Module 1

Special Edition

“Our Academy values - respect, achievement, collaboration, integrity and resilience - permeate everything we do"

A message from Mr Russell, Principal

It is with great pleasure that I welcome all students, families, and staff back to Leigh Academy Halley for the start of another exciting academic year. I hope that you have had a restful and enjoyable summer, and that you are returning refreshed and ready to embrace the opportunities ahead.

As we begin this new term, it is right to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students over the past academic year, which is why we have produced a special additional edition of Halley's Comment.

Students in Years 11 and 13 who collected their results this summer set new benchmarks for excellence at Leigh Academy Halley, reflecting their dedication, resilience, and ambition, alongside the commitment of our staff and the support of families.

These achievements demonstrate the extraordinary potential of our students when ambition, hard work and support come together. Across all Key Stages, these successes reflect our Academy values of respect, achievement, collaboration, integrity, and resilience, and exemplify our school motto: we inspire each other, learn together and all achieve our best.

Looking ahead, we are determined to build on this excellence. Our staff have been working hard to prepare a curriculum that is both ambitious and engaging, and we are delighted to welcome our new Year 7 and Year 12 students to the Academy community. With the energy and enthusiasm of our students and the continued support of families, I am confident that the year ahead will be one filled with learning, achievement and growth for all.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in ensuring that every student at Leigh Academy Halley can thrive. I wish all members of our community a happy, successful and inspiring year.

Mr Russell

Principal

“Those who can imagine anything can create the impossible”

“You can do anything you want to, but you have to work at it”

“All that is necessary is the belief that by doing our best we shall come nearer to success and that success ..... is worth attaining

"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet"

Year 11 Results Success

Students and families were delighted to celebrate their GCSE and BTEC outcomes at Leigh Academy Halley on Thursday 21st August, a culmination of all their hard work and progress during their time with us over the last five years. We were delighted that the class of 2025 achieved the Academy’s best ever set of GCSE results. Their achievements are a true reflection of what makes Leigh Academy Halley such a unique and exciting learning community defined by hardworking students, committed staff and strong home-school partnerships, where our values of respect, achievement, collaboration, integrity and resilience underpin everything we do.

This results day saw our third set of students to join the Academy in Year 7 in 2020 collect their results. Our students have overcome unprecedented challenges, principally the disruption to their education caused by a global pandemic.

We could not be more delighted, therefore, that the academy has achieved its best set of GCSE results in its history. Over 85% of students achieved a good pass in their English qualifications, with over 35% achieving a Grade 7 and above. Every subject achieved an average grade above that of 4, or equivalent. Over half of all grades were a Grade 5 and above, and over 40% of students achieved the prestigious English Baccalaureate qualification, significantly above national averages for 2024.

These results mean we would remain as one of the most improved secondary schools in England, since joining Leigh Academies Trust in 2018. On a number of key performance indicators, our students are outperforming important national benchmarks, even more so than last year.

At a student level, notable successes were:

Mohamed: 10 grade 9s;
Aisha: 5 grade 9s, 2 grade 8s;
Auste: 3 grade 9s, 1 grade 8, 3 grade 7s, 1 grade 6;
Sital: 3 grade 9s, 1 grade 8, 2 grade 7s, 2 grade 6s;
Mars: 3 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s, 2 grade 7s;
Esther: 5 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s;
Emily: 4 grade 9s, 3 grade 8s, 1 grade 7; and
Hannah: 5 grade 9s, 1 grade 8, 1 grade 7, 1 grade 6.

Mr Russell, Principal, said:
"We could not be more delighted with this historic set of GCSE results – the best our academy has ever achieved. Our Year 11 students have shown remarkable determination, resilience and ambition, and these outcomes are a true reflection of their talents. With our ambitious curriculum, exceptional teaching, and personalised pastoral care, these results demonstrate the strength of our academy community."

Miss Watling, Deputy Principal, commented:
"We are incredibly proud of our students and the outstanding outcomes they have secured this year. Their hard work, supported by the commitment of parents, carers and our dedicated staff, has produced results that set a new benchmark for the school. It has been inspiring to see their journey and we are excited for all that lies ahead – especially as we welcome so many of them into our thriving sixth form."

Year 13 Results Success

We are thrilled to celebrate the excellent achievements of Leigh Academy Halley students in their Year 13 results. They not only mark the culmination of a successful academic journey, but also build upon the remarkable progress demonstrated in July’s International Baccalaureate results, where we achieved our best ever set of outcomes.

Our students have achieved excellent Level 3 results across a range of Applied General Courses, with over a third of outcomes at the highest grades of Distinction and Distinction* in business, engineering and information technology. Provisional results suggest that students have made above national average progress across our Level 3 courses, highlighting the hard work and dedication of our students and staff.

We’re also delighted to celebrate our first set of T Level results in engineering and digital services. With a 100% success rate, and an average overall grade being equivalent to a Distinction, our students have excelled in this exciting new qualification that combines academic study, vocational training and real-world experience in the workplace.

Special congratulations go to:

Lily, who achieved an A in criminology, H5 in IB biology, H6 in psychology and H7 in English, enabling her to read English and history at Queen Mary University.
Lydia, who achieved an A in criminology, H6 in psychology and a H5 in English, securing her place to read criminology at Nottingham University.
Hamda, achieved a Distinction in business, H5 in global politics, a H4 in psychology, and will study politics and international relations at the University Birmingham.
Cyril achieved a Distinction* in IT, a S6 in mathematics and H4 in physics, to study computer science at St George’s.
Bogdan achieved a Merit in T Level digital services, with a Distinction in their occupational specialism, who will embark on an IT apprenticeship.

These excellent results have seen our students secure a fantastic array of post-18 destinations. This includes some of the top universities nationally, including Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Kent and Queen Mary, with many of our students being the first in their families to progress to higher education. 10% of students will be progressing to Russell Group universities, noticeably above national averages. Their chosen fields of study are as impressive as they are varied, including English, psychology, architecture, politics, law, nursing, cyber security and engineering. Additionally, students, particularly our graduating T Level students, are pursuing highly sought-after apprenticeships in robotics, mechanical engineering and business management, demonstrating the breadth of ambition within our cohort.

Mr Russell, Principal, said:

“It is wonderful to see our students’ dedication and perseverance rewarded with such fantastic results. Their achievements reflect not only their own determination, but also the unwavering support of our staff and the nurturing, ambitious culture we foster here at Leigh Academy Halley.”

Mr Cowie, Head of Sixth Form, commented:

“This year’s results are a testament to the hard work, character and ambition of our Year 13 cohort. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them and excited to see the bright futures they are now set to pursue.”

Our students’ successes today build upon the aforementioned successes achieved in July with our International Baccalaureate results. Key highlights of these results included:

100% IB pass rate, improving on our already strong performance last year.
The Average Point Score increased again this year, surpassing the Academy’s previous best.
40% of Higher Level (HL) grades awarded at grade 5 or above – an 8% increase on last year.
82% of HL grades at grade 4 or above – a 4% improvement on 2023/24. Grade 4 is considered the international average, making this a particularly impressive benchmark of student success.
A record number of students successfully passed the IB Careers-Related Programme, with a 5% increase in completion from the previous year.

Year 12 Induction Day – A Successful Start

On Monday 1st September, our new Year 12 students enjoyed a highly successful induction day, marking the beginning of their journey through Key Stage 5.

The day began with a welcome address from the Principal, setting the tone for the year ahead. This was followed by an introduction to Hawking Life from Mr Cowie, Head of Sixth Form, who outlined the opportunities, responsibilities, and support available to our Sixth Form students.

Students then met their tutors, who will play a central role in guiding them through their Sixth Form experience, offering both academic and pastoral support. After covering some important logistical information, students quickly settled into the rhythm of Sixth Form life, either beginning their IB, T-Level and BTEC courses or taking part in a KS5 Study Skills Transition Session led by the Deputy Head of School, Ms Quintino.

It was a positive and energising start, and we look forward to seeing Year 12 thrive as they embark on this exciting next chapter of their education.

Cultural Capital Week 2025 Highlights

In July, a group of students from Years 8 to 10 visited Berlin, the capital of Germany. The three-day trip provided an excellent opportunity to deepen students' understanding of European history and culture, whilst also experiencing life in one of Europe’s most exciting cities.

The visit began with an early departure from London Gatwick. After arriving in Berlin, we settled into our accommodation and later enjoyed a walk around the city centre, sampling some of the local delicacies.

On Tuesday, we took part in a guided tour of Berlin, which provided an excellent introduction to the city’s landmarks and historical background. This included a visit to the Reichstag, with its impressive glass dome, and concluded with a stop at the Brandenburg Gate, one of Berlin’s most iconic monuments. In the afternoon, we explored the Topography of Terror before having time for some shopping.

On Wednesday, the programme continued with a visit to the Jewish Museum, where we learned about Jewish life and history in Germany. This was followed by the Checkpoint Charlie Museum, which offered a powerful insight into life in a divided city during the Cold War. Later in the day, we visited the Spy and Espionage Museum.

Work Experience Highlights

In the final week of Module 6, our Year 10 and Year 12 students embarked on a rewarding five-day work experience programme. The breadth of industries represented was impressive, with students gaining experience across diverse fields such as accounting, healthcare, law, architecture, manufacturing, construction, hospitality, retail, the arts, and education. A significant number of students also worked in nurseries, primary schools, and community-focused organisations such as charities and youth centres, demonstrating a strong commitment to service and care.

Throughout the week, students developed valuable transferable skills, from technical knowledge in specialised areas such as healthcare, science, and technology, to creativity in art, design, and media. They also strengthened their interpersonal skills, including communication, teamwork, and professional conduct, which will serve them well as they prepare for their next academic and career steps.

The programme was a great success, with students demonstrating independence, resilience, and adaptability in professional environments. Their experiences will be invaluable as they transition into Year 11 and Year 13, and as they continue to explore future education, training, and career opportunities.

City of London Summer School

During the last week of Module 6, a group of Year 10 students were once again given the exciting opportunity to take part in the Future Professions Summer School, a five-day programme hosted by City, University of London in partnership with The Tallow Chandlers Livery Company.

Over the course of the week, students immersed themselves in a varied programme designed to expand their awareness of future pathways. They explored professions in health, law, business, science, and technology, while also benefitting from tailored careers guidance delivered by City’s Careers Consultants. This included both one-to-one and group sessions, alongside workshops on key employability skills such as communication, networking, and goal setting.

A highlight of the programme was the chance to engage directly with academics and professionals from across a wide range of faculties and disciplines at City, University of London, giving students the opportunity to connect theory with practice and to ask questions about different career journeys.

The experience not only broadened students’ understanding of potential career routes but also gave them the confidence to begin shaping their own aspirations. By the end of the week, participants had gained both practical insights and personal skills that will support them in making informed decisions about their next steps in education and beyond.

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