Secondary
Academies
Wilmington Academy
T Levels
This year, Wilmington Academy successfully launched T-Level courses in Health and Management and Administration (M&A), with ten students (4 Health, 6 M&A) completing four weeks of their nine-week work placements by the end of Year 12.
From September, we will add three more T-Level courses in Engineering, Media Production, and Legal Services. With over 90 applications, 80 offers made, and 66 acceptances, our new marketing approach has proven effective.
Securing placements for the new students is underway, with strong partnerships with employers like the NHS, BAE Systems, and Amazon. We are confident in finding placements for all students. The Education Training Foundation (ETF) and the Association of Colleges (AOC) have praised our T-Level implementation. We were invited to speak at the National T-Level Conference in London, where students Kieran (B&A) and Tani (Health), alongside staff, showcased our achievements.
We have supported other academies and collaborations with schools nationwide are helping develop schemes of work and course materials, particularly for the new Media, Broadcast and Production T-Level course.
Our Estates team used Specific Equipment Allocation (SEA) funding to build a new Health room and plan for the new courses' equipment needs. We are preparing for the first exams in October and November, maintaining a 100% retention rate.
Next steps include obtaining accreditation from Pearson and City & Guilds and considering new courses like T-Level Catering. Improvements for next year include adjusting examination windows and integrating business-focused lessons for all T-Level students.
Overall, our first year of T-Levels has been very positive, with continuous development and a strong foundation for future growth.
Strood Academy
Guard of Honour 2024
Monday 17th June marked the final whole cohort exam for Year 11 students this academic year. After this exam we celebrated the hard work and dedication of our Year 11 students with a whole school Guard of Honour. Here students were cheered on by over 1300 members of our Strood Academy community, including leadership and governors, as they walked through the courtyard and off the school grounds which could be, for some of them, the last time. It was amazing to see so many students and staff come together with such a beautiful sense of community spirit to congratulate Year 11 students on all of their hard work and efforts over the past few months.
This guard of honour led students down to the hard court area where they had the opportunity to have shirts signed by peers and staff members. It was clear that this moment was something that our Year 11 students had been looking forward to, as they showed off the effort they had put into personalising and decorating their shirts. Students were keen to have these signed by other students from within their year, the lower years and their teachers who have supported them throughout their journey at Strood Academy. These messages and memories are something which will no doubt stay with our students for many years to come.
We are so proud of all that Year 11 have achieved this year, their resilience and dedication throughout the challenging GCSE period has been remarkable. We cannot wait to celebrate this again with them at Prom, and then on results day. We look forward to welcoming many of these students back into the academy in September as they join Strood Academy Sixth Form.
The Halley Academy
Creative Arts Centre
This year has seen the construction work begin and end for the new Creative Arts Centre at The Halley Academy. The outdated, cramped and dark corridors that had the potential to stifle creativity have now been replaced with state of the art facilities that are bright and airy; ones that can truly celebrate our achievements, as well as inspire our students. The new centre includes a drama and music room, two art rooms, three peripatetic rooms and a kiln room. All students are now thoroughly appreciating the transformative changes that have taken place.
The new space was inaugurated with the culmination of our Infinity Hub’s showcase of exciting projects on the 4th July. The first project was working with the Greenwich Music Hub. Over four sessions, the Infinity Hub students travelled to the Music Hub’s base in Kidbrooke and received a lesson in drumming, guitar, singing and how to mix a track. The students created a track called “stop judging me” which was all the students’ own work.
The second project was the Go Live Theatre project. The students from the Infinity Hub participated in a series of exciting drama workshops with Go Live! Go Live is an independent theatre going club for young people aged 15-24. They offer workshops and visits centred around a broad selection of theatre from big plays and musicals to off-West End, dance and comedy. The project started with the students going to see the theatre show, Wicked in London Victoria. This was a great afternoon from the excitement of the train to the magic of the theatre.
Students then took part in four workshops. The objective of the workshops was to help our students use drama activities to explore communication techniques (including non-verbal) and increase confidence, team working skills and empathy. The students created a piece of work centred around kindness and the themes from the musical Wicked.
Another recent project at The Halley has been that of First Give, which has involved all of our Year 8 students throughout the last three modules of this academic year. All of the Year 8 tutor groups decided on a charity of their choice. This year our students have looked at topics ranging from homelessness, racism, gang violence, and dogs for the blind. Each tutor group has researched the charity of their choice, invited representatives of the charity into the academy and decided on how to raise awareness of the charity. The social action that has taken place around the academy has involved a variety of bake sales, sports competitions and raffles, which have all been organised by the students themselves.
Following their social action, our Year 8 students then voted on the winning group to represent them in the final which was held on 8th July. This final was judged by a variety of Greenwich councillors, sixth form students and Mr Russell and was attended by staff, students, parents, carers and charity representatives. The students excelled in delivering their informative presentations with passion and flair and the culmination of all their efforts resulted in the winning group being presented with a £1000 cheque for their chosen charity.
This academic year has certainly seen the encouragement and development of our creative arts in all arenas, providing our students with the tools to become broad and balanced learners.
Leigh Academy Blackheath
LAB’s Mock Election: Another Labour Landslide!
On the 4th of July, students and staff at Leigh Academy Blackheath had the opportunity to take part in their very own mock election, where they voted for a candidate to represent their academy in Parliament. Organised and overseen by our brilliant IBDP Global Politics teacher Mr Thomas, the aim of this activity was for students to learn more about the UK’s political and electoral systems through a process of personal engagement.
Students had a choice of 5 sixth form candidates (all students of IBDP Global Politics), to vote for from the following parties: Labour, Liberal Democrats, Conservative, the Green Party, and an independent party called the “Saxon Party”.
In the weeks leading up to the election, candidates ran energetic campaigns to win votes. The candidates were advised to base their campaigns around four key areas: the NHS, housing, education, and foreign policy. This was intended to make it easier for students to compare them. The parties then designed and put up posters around the school that outlined their key policies. Please see examples of these below.
The candidates’ campaigns also involved submitting campaign videos that were shown to students during their tutor sessions. These videos were shown during the week of the election and students had a table to fill out to note down each candidate's key policies. There was then a task for them to complete to help them decide who to vote for.
On the day of the election, students and staff had the opportunity to vote at a Polling Station in LAB’s Academy Square. Voting was open before school, break, lunch, and for 20 minutes after school.
Votes were counted after school and the elected candidate was announced the next day. Please see the table of results below. Around 60% of students onsite at the time voted, which mirrored UK voter turnout nationwide.
Interestingly, the results also reflected those from the local constituency Greenwich and Woolwich, with Labour in first place and the Green Party in second.
Another highlight from this event was that the Liberal Democrat students reached out to the leader of the Lib Dems in the House of Lords, Richard Newby, who responded by inviting them to Parliament. The students are very excited about this and plan to go during their summer holiday!
This event would not have been possible without the strong enthusiasm of our sixth form students, who should be commended for their hard work in encouraging their younger peers to learn and engage with British politics.
Leigh Academy Bexley
Duke of Edinburgh Award Practice Camp
The Duke of Edinburgh Award group had their first practice camp on Friday 14th June. Students camped overnight on the school field in preparation for the expedition component of the award. It was the first time under canvas for many of them and their first time cooking their own evening meal.
Students gained self confidence from their newly acquired skills and these are already translating into the classroom environment.
A huge thank you to Mollie and Sarah Wilson for supporting our students through this process.
The Leigh UTC
The Leigh UTC’s MYP Community Project Exhibition & MYP Graduation
On Friday 28th June, the Leigh UTC held their third annual Community Project Exhibition and MYP graduation and it’s fair to say that it just continues to get bigger and better each year!
The MYP Community Project is an important part of the MYP curriculum framework completed by all Year 9 students. It gives them an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have accumulated throughout the programme by exploring a social issue or community need that they are passionate about. They take complete ownership over their project, presenting it in whatever form utilises their skill set best. Ultimately, through their Service as Action experiences and the Community Project, they should feel more empowered to be agents of change and contribute to making the world a better place.
For educators, we can feel uneasy about stepping back and giving students the freedom to make choices about their project but this allows them to utilise their often suppressed creativity and innovation and results in many wonderful projects. During the build up to the exhibition it’s great seeing the buzz from all students, and how the project ignites a love of learning.
Each year, parents comment on how their child comes home and wants to talk to them about the project that they are working on at an age when many students don’t want to talk about school. Parents and other visitors are always wowed by the quality of the projects on display in the exhibition. Our graduation provides a great opportunity to celebrate those that have shown exceptional progress or attainment in each of the subject groups as well as effectively embodying the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
Our Vice Chair of Governors who attended this year, commented on how he found the range of projects and the passion shown by the students inspiring. In his closing remarks he encouraged the students to continue feeling empowered to make a difference in the world.
A huge well done to our Year 9 students on their fantastic projects and congratulations to all of our prize winners.
The Hundred of Hoo Academy
The Hundred of Hoo Academy’s Interdisciplinary Drop Down Days.
On July 1st and 2nd this academic year, our Year 9 pupils put down their pens and had an immersive digital interdisciplinary learning experience.
For their third and final interdisciplinary unit of their MYP journey, we wanted pupils to be fully submerged in their learning. They evaluated the rise in vaping in young people, and put together health care pitches to combat this rise. Through a cleverly crafted curriculum that joined our science, English and PSHRE teams, pupils studied the dangers of vaping on our bodies, the laws of vaping and how the media targets teens.
Pupils reflected on the significance of the merging of subjects, and considered that by interleaving knowledge from different disciplines they were able to create a better product. Their pitches, influenced by Dragon’s Den clips, saw them use their persuasive techniques, ambitious vocabularies and digital tool kit to present their healthcare plans to their groups. Many pupils wanted to introduce new laws for sales and packaging and following research on laws across the world, some wanted to mirror Australia's prescription only approach.
Pupils' feedback was glowing. They enjoyed how relevant the topic was to them and enjoyed the fully digital experience. We were exceptionally proud of how well they engaged in the two days, and the products at the end of them.
The event wouldn’t have been possible without our exceptional team of MYP coordinators who took on the challenge with such enthusiasm. We’ve proven that the drop down model works, and our children thrive within it and will adopt it for future IDUs here at Hoo!
Stationers' Crown Woods Academy
New Music Department Hits High Notes at Stationers' Crown Woods Academy
This year, Stationers' Crown Woods Academy’s newly established music department, led by the husband and wife duo Mr and Mrs Yeates, has significantly enhanced the musical opportunities for students.
To kick-start the programme, the Yeates’ inspired every Year 7 pupil to join the school’s choir, ensuring that all 270 students were singing together. This effort culminated in their debut at the school's remembrance service, where the Year 7 choir performed "Pieu Jesu," a piece specially composed by Mr Yeates for the occasion.
Following this, students showcased their talents at both the school’s Christmas Extravaganza and The Stationers' Livery Lunch. The Christmas Extravaganza marked the debut of the newly formed year group bands, who, despite their limited time performing, captivated the audience with an array of festive and popular songs. The school choir also left a lasting impression at the Livery Lunch, earning a standing ovation.
Mid-year, all Year 7 students had the chance to explore various orchestral instruments, thanks to a workshop hosted by Bexley Music Service. Students tried their hand at instruments ranging from violins to oboes, sparking interest and leading over 60 Year 7 pupils to begin learning a musical instrument.
Most recently, the school hosted its summer concert, "Classics to Pop," on the hottest day of the year. Despite the heat, students delivered a spectacular performance. The progress of the choir, soloists, and school bands throughout the year was evident and impressive. The evening concluded with a performance by the Year 10 band, who played four popular songs: "Voulez-Vous" by ABBA, "Hey-Ya" by OutKast, "Locked Out of Heaven" by Bruno Mars, and "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk.
Mr Sparks, Principal of Stationers' Crown Woods Academy, commented on the success of the music programme: "The importance of music and creative subjects in our curriculum cannot be overstated. With the interest we have seen in music this year, a symphony orchestra might be on the cards. I look forward to watching the department continue to develop and flourish over the coming years."
The Yeates' leadership has undoubtedly struck a high note this year, transforming SCWA's music department and creating unforgettable experiences for students. It's clear that with such talented guidance, the future of music at SCWA looks promising. As ABBA might say, "Thank you for the music!"
Ebbsfleet Academy
Cultural Capital Day
On Thursday 11th July, over 460 students participated in our Cultural Capital Day. Students in Years 7 - 9 were given the choice to attend any of the following trips:
Swanscombe Marshes
Regents Park Theatre - The Secret Garden
Local Area Scavenger Hunt
London Zoo
V&A Museum
Herne Bay Beach
All students were included and any students who weren’t able to join the external trips were allocated to a trip within the local community to ensure that every child had an opportunity to join in.
Longfield Academy
A group of students, supported by some staff, have been working exceptionally hard to revive the Anderson Garden. The area now looks fantastic with the repainted benches, tidy lawn and all the beautiful flowers and decorations which have been put in. The money to support this came from a successful charity bid, put in by Mrs Mulholland, who leads our academy SRP. Thanks to the funding she secured, the vision for renovating this popular area of the academy has been realised. A huge thank you to all of the hard work which was invested by students and staff to make this a wonderful place to spend time.
Leigh Academy Tonbridge
Leigh Academy Tonbridge: The foundations are laid for future co-educational success
This year marked a significant milestone for Leigh Academy Tonbridge with the arrival of our first-ever co-educational cohort! We're thrilled to report that the transition has been a resounding success, largely due to the bravery and enthusiasm of the young women who joined us.
Trailblazers in Gold and Teal
In September, 30 girls entered our new Year 7, a small but determined group in our largest ever year group of 160. Undeterred, they embraced the new environment with remarkable courage. Their positive feedback has been fundamental in our successful recruitment for September 2024 – the academy is now oversubscribed and another 50 girls will join us in September.
Building on a Strong Foundation:
The girls have seamlessly integrated into the school's existing culture of academic achievement and positive behaviour. This success is further underscored by another major achievement – the Fisher Family Trust has recognised Leigh Academy Tonbridge as having the second-highest contextual Progress 8 score in Kent and Medway! This metric highlights the progress our students make compared to their peers nationally, taking into account a much broader range of background information about each school.
Positive Feedback from Parents
The Leigh Academy Tonbridge experience has resonated positively with parents as well. Here are just a few comments from local social media posts:
"My daughter has thrived in the co-educational environment at Leigh Academy Tonbridge. The teachers are fantastic, and she feels supported and challenged academically."
"We were initially apprehensive about the switch to co-education, but Leigh Academy Tonbridge has handled it brilliantly. Our son has made so many new friends, and our daughter feels empowered and valued."
"So impressed with the school's focus on inclusivity and collaboration. My child absolutely loves going to Leigh Academy Tonbridge!"
Looking Forward
We are incredibly proud of our first co-educational cohort, especially the young women who bravely stepped into a new environment. Their success paves the way for a bright future, fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all students. With our new intake joining us in September 2024, the future of Leigh Academy Tonbridge as a thriving co-educational school is even brighter.
Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School
Foundation Day
by Harrison, School Captain
On Saturday 6th July the school held its annual Foundation Day service and sports afternoon. The Foundation Day service takes place in Rochester Cathedral and it celebrates all those who have contributed to the school over the last 300 years. It was truly a magnificent experience. Having advanced from attending the event in Year 7, to participating in the ceremony on Saturday as School Captain was a very significant event for me. The wide range of music from the symphony of the choir to the harmony of the hymns brought an enlightening atmosphere and the guest speaker gave an insightful service encouraging pupils that they could be anything that they put their minds to. Getting to know the plethora of different groups associated with the school, from those within the 1701 society to governors and trustees was the highlight of my day; making me feel united with those that govern such a prestigious school. As I walked down the nave, I felt a sense of pride as I witnessed the happiness of the younger years as they gazed at the procession that I was extremely lucky to be a part of.
The subsequent Sports Day was a vibrant celebration of athleticism, teamwork, and school spirit. Held on the school fields, the event brought together students, teachers, and families for a day filled with excitement and camaraderie. The afternoon commenced with an energetic display of pride between the Houses, featuring a colourful parade of participants representing their respective House, each adorned in their House colours. Track and field events dominated the afternoon, with students showcasing their speed and endurance in races ranging from sprints to long-distance runs. The relay races, a highlight of the day, ignited fierce but friendly competition, with teams displaying seamless coordination and determination. Various stalls provided entertainment for all, ranging from hook-a-duck to raffles, where the friendly approach of the Prefect team and RMSA allowed the cooperative atmosphere at the Cathedral to captivate the crowd back at school during the sports showcases. Whilst the rain brought a slightly early end to the events, I think I speak for everyone in the Cathedral when I say that it was truly the highlight of the academic year with such collaborative enjoyment experienced by us all.
