Leigh Academy Hugh Christie

Newsletter: Module 1

Dear Parents / Carers,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We're delighted to share some key highlights from Module 1, which marks a fantastic start to the academic year.

All our students have made a strong start, particularly our new Year 7 and Year 12 cohorts, who have settled in brilliantly and are already valued members of the LAHC family.

A highlight this module was welcoming the Rt. Hon. Tom Tugendhat MP, along with local councillors Adem Mehmet and Keith Tunstall. They toured lessons, met students and experienced first-hand the vibrant, positive learning culture at our academy.

Students continue to develop their digital skills using Chromebooks to enhance their learning. Our small school model is now fully embedded, providing excellent pastoral care and helping to raise attendance by over 6%, now in line with the national average.

We are also making exceptional progress with our delivery of the IB MYP curriculum to Years 7–9 and remain on track to achieve full IB World School accreditation by the end of the year.

This has also been a module of celebration and recognition:

Over 49,000 IB merit points awarded
1,990 Hot Chocolate Friday nominations
Over 10,000 reward certificates issued
16,390 points for 100% weekly attendance

These achievements reflect our students’ dedication to being Ready, Respectful and Responsible and their enthusiasm for school life.

We were pleased to see so many of you at our parent information events and open mornings-your continued support and engagement is deeply appreciated.

Our Year 6 transition programme is also well underway. Open events have been exceptionally well attended and we’ve been so proud of our student volunteers who welcomed families and received glowing feedback. They are outstanding ambassadors for our academy.

Thank you again for your support. We wish you and your family all the very best and look forward to welcoming students back on Monday, 3rd November at 8:25am.

Best regards,

Mr Palak Shah

Principal

Our Best Ever Results!

A huge congratulations and a well done to all of our students for their results this summer. Over 230 top grades (6–9) at GCSE were achieved across a wide range of subjects.

Alongside those who achieved the very highest grades, we also want to celebrate every student who has worked hard and made excellent progress during their time with us. Every achievement represents real dedication and we couldn't be prouder!

Nearly 60% of students gained Grade 4+ in both English and Maths, opening doors to future study and careers.
A growing number of students successfully followed the EBacc pathway, showing our commitment to a broad and ambitious curriculum.
Special congratulations to standout achievers including Sarthak, Marko, Cole, Hannah, John and Ryan.

"30% of our A Level students gained places at Russell Group Universities"

Team Spirit in Action

On Sunday, 5th October, Team LAHC had a brilliant time in the Run Kent Tonbridge Half Marathon/10/5K to raise funds for the local charity, Mental Health Resource.

Students and staff entered in to different distances:

Half Marathon: Shakira & Lily, Ms Wells & Mr Stamp

10K: Cleo, Jessi, Molly, Poppy & Mr Smith

5K: Harrison, Jack, Lara-Louise, Mr Ions, Mr Sargent, Ms Fillis, Ms Renton

Harrison, Jack, Mr Sargent, Mr Ions, Ms Fillis, Lara-Louise & Ms Renton with their medals.

Back row: Ms Wells, Ms Fillis, Mr Ions, Mr Smith, Cleo & Mr Stamp.

Our goal was to raise funds for Mental Health Resource, supporting their work with young people in our local community.

We set out to reach £500 and are delighted to share that, with Gift Aid, we raised a total of £809.00!

A big thank you to all the students and staff who made up Team LAHC. We’re already looking forward to coming back even stronger in 2026!

“Thank you to everyone who ran, supported, and donated; your generosity and dedication will make a real difference to the young people we work with.

Your efforts mean we can buy new supplies, plan more activities, and, most importantly, reach more young people who need mental health support"

Millie, MHR Reachout Youth Coordinator

Shakira & Lily mid-race on the 10K route!

Welcoming our Local MP Tom Tugendhat

We were delighted to host Rt. Hon. Tom Tugendhat MP at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, alongside local councillors Adem Mehmet and Keith Tunstall. During his visit, Mr Tugendhat toured lessons, met students and saw first-hand the vibrant learning culture that has developed since joining the Leigh Academy Trust.

Students spoke confidently about their experiences and asked thoughtful questions about the role of an MP and his work within the Tonbridge community. Mr Tugendhat commented on the academy’s calm, focused atmosphere, the students’ enthusiasm and the clear sense of pride across the school.

We look forward to welcoming him back soon to meet with our Government and Politics Club and continue these inspiring conversations about leadership and civic engagement.

"Mr Shah has been turning this school around... It is really noticeable... you get that feeling of drive and energy from the students and staff who realise people care, are invested in and really want them to succeed.”

Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge & Malling

Recognising Success

Our students have earned an epic number of positive points this term for demonstrating the IB Learner Profiles in action.

The most recognised qualities were Inquirer and Principled, showing just how curious and responsible our learners are across all colleges.

Well done Attenborough College for taking first place this module!

Highest Merit Achievers

Angelou

Lucy (9AN5) - 113 points

Attenborough

Borys (7AT8) - 169 points

Coe

Olivia (7CO8) - 103 points

College Awards

Angelou

Lucy (9AN5):

Congratulations to Lucy, who earned the most merit points in Angelou House through her hard work, positivity, and all-round excellence.

Toby (8AN7)

Well done to Toby for his outstanding attitude and determination - a true role model for others.

Attenborough

Borys (7AT8)

Borys is a polite, considerate, and hardworking student who sets a fantastic example for others. With 169 merit points and 100% attendance, he truly embodies our values of being Ready, Respectful, and Responsible.

Jaime (7AT9)

Jaime has made an excellent start to Year 7, showing positivity, kindness, and determination in all she does. With 80 merit points and 100% attendance, she’s a brilliant role model for Attenborough College.

Coe

Tayla (8CO6)

Tayla impressed us with her outstanding leadership during recent school tours, showing curiosity, confidence, and kindness throughout. She perfectly represented the MYP Learner Profiles and is an excellent ambassador for our school.

Noah (7CO8)

Noah has shown exceptional academic achievement, earning 65 IB merit points through hard work, integrity, and determination. A true role model, he embodies the MYP Learner qualities in all he does.

Subject Shout-outs!

Maths:

Jimmy-Lee: Enthusiastic and fantastic attitude

Keston: High levels of resilience paying off in his great progress

Science:

Connor : Depth of understanding on inheritance & genetics

Jaime: Excellent Inquirer skills in her first IB MYP assessment.

Business:

Hannah, Jessica, Rachel, Lily, Julian, Lucas and Sharika for outstanding work - all receiving Distinction grades!

Subject Spotlights

Year 7

Delicious Pizza Toast

Year 9

Spicy Beef Nachos

Food Technology

Year 7 students took on their first practical Food Technology lesson, putting their kitchen safety knowledge into action to make delicious Pizza Toast while learning safe and effective cooking habits.

Year 9 students have been exploring the culture and history of foods from the Americas, focusing on Mexico. They brought their research to life by cooking Spicy Beef Nachos; a fun and flavourful way to connect learning with practice.

Year 11 students have been learning SOHCAHTOA trigonometry.

Mathematics

This module, the Maths department have placed a strong focus on the quality and presentation of students’ books.

We have been highly impressed by the care, precision, and pride shown in their work; many books reflect excellent mathematical thinking, clear reasoning and genuine pride in achievement.

Physical Education

Year 9

Our Year 9 netball team: Harriet, Demi, Elizabeth, Rosie, Lucy, Jorgie, and Lily, represented the school brilliantly at the LAT Tournament at Mascalls. Showing great teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout. They should be very proud of their fantastic effort and performance.

Year 10

Year 10 also shone at the LAT Netball Tournament; with Maisie, Faye, Miley, Lucy, Nahla, Libby and Amelie demonstrating impressive skill, energy and teamwork in every game. Their enthusiasm and commitment made them a real credit to the school.

English

Students in Year 9 have been studying the Shakespeare tragedy Romeo and Juliet and linking its themes to contemporary issues such as gang violence, the power of the state, and toxic masculinity.

As part of their current unit, Year 9 students have written to MP Tom Tugendhat to share their views on social issues affecting young people. They’ll now move on to exploring gender and parent–child relationships in their set play, building skills for GCSE English Literature. The English team are very proud of their thoughtful and well-crafted work this module.

Art & Design

Artist in Focus: Leon

Leon in Year 11 has been recognised for the originality and ambition of his recent sculpture work. Taking inspiration from Maria Bartuszová, he has developed a process of dipping balloons into plaster to create fragile, organic forms.

Rather than controlling every stage, Leon has embraced the unpredictable nature of the technique, allowing the material to guide the outcome. The resulting pieces capture both delicacy and tension, showing his willingness to take risks and explore themes of impermanence and transformation.

Harnessing his excellent photography skills he has captured these sculptures in a beautifully atmospheric way - the results speak for themselves.

We’re sure you’ll agree, these are truly gallery-worthy pieces!

Geography

As part of their GCSE studies, our current Year 11 students visited Stratford, East London, at the very end of last year to explore how the 2012 Olympic Park regeneration has affected quality of life in the area. They gathered primary data through surveys, questionnaires and observations, comparing the redeveloped park with nearby neighbourhoods.

The trip gave students valuable first-hand experience of urban geography, developing their skills and deepening their understanding of regeneration in a real-world context.

Textiles

Our Year 9 students have been busy mastering a range of hand sewing techniques; from the basics like running and back stitch to more decorative stitches such as cross stitch, chain stitch and couching, plus button sewing for a professional finish!

Next, they’ll be putting their new skills to the test by designing and creating a fabric patch, which can be sewn onto a garment or accessory to upcycle and give an old item a stylish new lease of life.

Textile samples from Elise, Lily and Sonny, showing careful stitching and developing technique.

Learning the nervous system the sweet way!

A Level: Psychology

Year 12 students took a hands-on approach to their Psychology lessons this week by constructing models of the nervous system using sweets.

This creative activity helped them to visualise the structure and function of all the divisions in a memorable and delicious way!

Beyond the Curriculum

So Much More Than Lessons

This module, our students have had a fantastic range of clubs and enrichment activities to choose from, with 12 different clubs running across a variety of subjects and interests.

From Music and Drama to Football, Bake-Off and Fun with Languages, there’s been something for everyone to get involved in. Students have also enjoyed taking part in Politics Club, Library Club, Art, Science and our lively Theatre Club, alongside academic opportunities such as Homework Club and the Year 11 Coursework Club.

A special mention goes to our Government & Politics Club, whose members have been developing their debating skills this module and are now looking forward to an exciting trip to Parliament next term.

We’re proud of the enthusiasm and commitment shown by our students, and we look forward to seeing even more join in next module as our enrichment offer continues to grow.

'Clubs and enrichment activities play a vital role in developing students’ character, confidence, and resilience'

Assembly Highlights

This module’s assemblies have encouraged students to think deeply about knowledge, democracy, and personal safety.

In one session, students explored what it means to be Knowledgeable - an important IB Learner Profile trait. They reflected on how developing a broad understanding of the world helps them make responsible choices, especially around topics like online safety and safeguarding.

To mark International Day of Democracy (15th September), Ms Rosling led a thought-provoking assembly on what democracy means today. Students discussed fairness, participation, and the importance of having a voice - from classroom decisions to global issues - and reflected on their roles as active citizens.

Our Sixth Form also took part in a powerful session with Jan Berry, Co-CEO of Protection Against Stalking, and Caseworker Caroline, who spoke about recognising and responding to stalking. The talk built on recent PSHRE lessons on Respectful Relationships and students shared excellent feedback on how insightful and valuable they found it.

Together, these assemblies have helped students build character, confidence and awareness. Living out our values of being Ready, Respectful and Responsible in all they do.

World Mental Health Day

To mark World Mental Health Day, our recent assembly focused on this year’s theme: recognising and managing the feeling of overwhelm. Students explored how, in a fast-changing world filled with constant information, it’s normal to sometimes feel overloaded.

The session highlighted that mental health is just as important as physical health, and shared practical ways to cope; from setting boundaries with the news and focusing on what you can control, to reaching out for support when things feel difficult.

As part of the day, students created a “Wall of Support”, writing short notes of encouragement and reflections on mental health. These will be displayed in one of our main corridors as a positive reminder that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and that reaching out for help shows real strength.

DofE_powerpoint_bronze_K.mp4

Ready for Adventure - Ready for DofE!

Mr McPherson, our Duke of Edinburgh Lead, recently delivered an inspiring assembly to Year 9 students, introducing them to the exciting opportunities and challenges the DofE Award offers. He explained how the programme helps students build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills; all while having fun and giving back to the community.

If parents or carers would like to find out more about how to get involved, please click on the video to the left to learn more, or feel free to contact Mr McPherson directly for further details.

ross.mcpherson@hughchristie.latrust.org.uk

Staying Safe and Supported

Beacon & Lighthouse News

This module, we’re delighted to welcome Ms Moll to the SEND team. She brings great enthusiasm and experience to her new role, supporting our students to thrive both academically and personally.

The Beacon has also undergone an exciting revamp, creating a more vibrant and engaging space for students. It now offers a wider range of activities designed to promote wellbeing, creativity and social interaction ,providing a calm and supportive environment for all who use it.

Adding to the transformation, Ms Fillis and Mr Blackwell from the Art Department have painted a wonderful new mural, bringing colour, energy and inspiration to the space. The result is a welcoming, uplifting area that reflects the heart of our inclusive school community.

"Asking for help, isn't giving up" said the horse. "It's refusing to give up".

Ms Fillis (SEND Pastoral) and Mr Fissenden (Lighthouse) in front of the new mural.

Chatbots and Young People: What Parents Should Know

Children and young people are spending more time online than ever, with social media and digital tools playing a huge role in their daily lives. Alongside these platforms, chatbots - from AI tools like ChatGPT for homework help to conversational apps like Character.ai - are becoming increasingly common.

Used responsibly, they can support learning, creativity and problem-solving. However, experts have raised concerns about the impact on human connection, online safety and misinformation.

To help our parents and carers understand both the positives and potential risks, The Children’s Society has shared useful insights and guidance, which you can read here.

We look at both the benefits and the dangers of chatbots for children, and what parents should keep in mind.www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/chatbots-and-children

We have also been discussing safe and responsible use of AI in our Year 11 PSHRE lessons this module.

connect.kooth.com/events/event/kt-ebsna-families-oct-2025

Click the link above for parents and carers to sign up for the free, online information session 'Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance and the Role of Digital Mental Health Support' on 23rd October.

Using Trusted Digital Tools to Support Anxious Students Back into School

As we explore how young people interact with technology, it’s also important to recognise the positive role digital tools can play in supporting mental health and wellbeing.

One trusted platform is Kooth - a free, safe, and confidential online service designed to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. It offers access to trained counsellors, self-help tools and a welcoming online community, all available 365 days a year.

For parents and carers wanting to learn more, there’s an upcoming online event: Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance and the Role of Digital Mental Health Support, on the 23rd of October. It is a 45-minute webinar exploring how digital support like Kooth can help young people manage anxiety, re-engage with school and strengthen their emotional wellbeing.

Upcoming Free Kooth Parent/Carer workshops:

How to Support Young People Manage Anxiety with Self Care: 11th & 13th November, 4pm

Smartphone Safety & Cyber-bullying:

12th & 20th November, 6pm

Digital Mental Health Support for People with Eating Difficulties: 9th & 15th December, 4pm

Click on the link below to view the webinars and make a booking.

connect.kooth.com/koothtalks

Dates for your Diary

We’re excited to be hosting the West Kent Apprenticeships Academy here at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie on Tuesday 4th November!

At LAHC, we value meaningful guidance and support to prepare students for their futures. That’s why we’re proud to welcome other schools and highlight the importance of high-quality careers education.

This full day of interactive workshops is designed for learners in Years 11–13, covering:

Identifying your strengths
Building your personal brand
Understanding apprenticeships
Preparing for assessment centres

We’re passionate about ensuring all young people have the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices about their next steps.

Find out more by visiting our Careers Hub: https://sites.google.com/latrust.../centralkentcareers/home

Please see our upcoming events below. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for more updates and reminders throughout each module!

LAHC Reminders

Present Today, Successful Tomorrow – Why Attendance Counts!

Attendance Matters – Every Lesson Counts!

We believe that every day at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is an opportunity for our students to learn, grow, and achieve their best. Regular attendance plays a vital role in ensuring students stay on track academically, build strong relationships with their peers and teachers, and fully engage in the exciting opportunities we offer here at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie.

We understand that occasional absences may be unavoidable, but every effort to ensure your child is in school each day makes a significant difference. Let’s work together to help all our students succeed. Because every day counts!

Safeguarding

At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, your safety and wellbeing is our priority. We uphold high standards of safeguarding for our students staff and community.

We listen to our students and take any concerns seriously. All school staff are trained in Keeping Children Safe, as well as receiving ongoing updates and training eg. online safety, Prevent, and County Lines. Children at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie can talk to any staff member regarding a concern.

Our team is dedicated to supporting you.

Matthew Harris (DSL) – Vice Principal and Head of Attenborough College
Alison Bain Simmons (DDSL) – Turing College
Casey Miller (DDSL) – Attenborough College
Michelle Harding (DDSL) – Coe College
Emma Stubbs (DDSL) – Sixth Form (Turing College)
Laura Moll (DDSL) – Assistant Principal Inclusion
Marion Seymour – Safeguarding Governor

The school Safeguarding email address is safeguarding@lahughchristie.org.uk.

A Reminder About Mobile Phone Expectations

We kindly ask for your continued support in reinforcing our mobile phone policy with your child. As part of our commitment to maintaining a focused and respectful learning environment, all mobile phones must be switched off and kept out of sight while on the academy site. Phones should remain in students’ bags throughout the school day.

By working together, we can help minimise distractions and ensure our academy remains a space where every student can thrive. Thank you for your understanding and partnership.

Module 2 Menus