Leigh Academy Tree Tops Newsletter

July 2025

Message from Miss White

End of term message to parents from the principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,

What a wonderful academic year we've had! It's been filled with incredible learning experiences, unforgettable adventures, and countless moments of joy. From our Year 6 residential, the thrills of Thorpe Park to the challenge of the high ropes in Mote Park, and from the historical beauty of Sissinghurst Castle to the engaging visits at Kent Life and Rare Breeds, our children have embraced every opportunity to explore and grow. A particular highlight for our entire school community was our first-ever Food Festival. The atmosphere was electric, with delicious food, music and fantastic company making it a truly memorable occasion for everyone involved. Thank you so much to Mrs Logie and Mrs Francis-duggan who organised it all!

This academic year we also celebrated a fantastic outcome following our Ofsted inspection in November. We are now expecting a follow up visit to endorse that we are an Outstanding school. We are so proud!

As we bid farewell to another academic year, we also say goodbye to some cherished members of our staff. We wish Mrs Chinosa all the best in her new role within the trust. Mrs Austin also leaves us, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for her contributions to our school. A special farewell goes to Mrs Herlihy, who is retiring after many years dedicated to nurturing our youngest learners – she will be greatly missed. We wish Miss Barker the very best as she embarks on her university journey. We would also like to give our very best wishes to Miss Goosani who will be leaving Tree Tops for a while to have her baby! And finally, to our incredible Year 6 students, the time has come for you to embark on your next exciting chapter. We've loved watching you learn and grow, and while we'll miss you all dearly, we are so proud of everything you've achieved.

We wish you a fantastic Summer break and look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday, September 1st for another year of discovery and success!

Miss White | Principal

Fledglings

As Fledglings come to the end of a very successful year they continue to astound the nursery team with their progression and maturity. This term they have showcased all of the knowledge and skills they have gained over the last 5 modules. They have done this through carefully planned enhancements and provisions. They have taken on new challenges with resilience and open-minded learner attributes at the heart of their journey. Their transition to school or to becoming nursery 2 children will be a challenge easily accomplished, as they have mastered the skills to carry along on their way. We are very proud of you Fledgling's and we are excited to watch your next steps.

In the words of Rory ‘If you are sad to go turn up the corners of your mouth.’

Year R

Robins and Sparrows

Another busy and hot term in Reception. The children have been working really hard when learning facts about under the sea. They were fascinated by the Mariana Trench and were keen to find out more about the animals that lived there.

We have been developing our independence when writing sentences, extending them by using the word ‘and’. Some of us even talked about using commas to separate the adjectives in our sentences.

In Maths, we have been reinforcing our number recall of facts to 10. We looked at repeating patterns and used natural objects to create our own repeating pattern.

We have discussed how we have changed and grown throughout the year and are looking forward to the new changes when we move up to Year One.

Year 1

Goldfinch and Chaffinch

For our last term in year 1, we have explored different types of trees and their leaves, we have looked at the weather in the United Kingdom and compared this to climates in other countries both close to and far from the equator. We have ended a great year with a fantastic school trip to The Rare Breeds Centre. It was a very hot day, and the children behaved brilliantly throughout. They enjoyed seeing a wide variety of farm animals, from sheep and goats to chickens and cows. A highlight of the day was an exciting tractor ride around the farm, followed by cheering on the speedy pig racing. The children also loved petting small, furry animals and ended the visit with a walk through a tropical butterfly tunnel, where they were amazed by the beautiful butterflies despite the heat.

Year 2

Jay and Dove

This term, Year 2 have taken part in an exciting cross-curricular inquiry exploring Native American culture, nature, and art. Through Forest School, the children created God's Eyes using twigs and colourful threads, expressing their personal connections to nature.

In geography, they developed map skills by learning compass points and locating North America, while in English they explored the connection Native American people have with the land and animals through storytelling.

Science lessons focused on North American habitats and food chains, with students creating and labelling food chains for chosen animals.

In art, inspired by Navajo artist Melissa Cody, children explored pattern, symbolism, and weaving techniques. They documented their ideas in sketchbooks, designed their own loom patterns, and are creating beautiful woven pieces, which they will share with the class. This rich learning journey has encouraged creativity, cultural understanding, and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

Year 3

Magpie and Blackbird

This term, our learning in Year 3 has been guided by the central idea: Humans can use technology to express their imagination. We’ve been exploring how storytelling, creativity, and media have evolved, and how we can use them in imaginative ways across subjects.

In English, the children took part in a wide range of creative writing tasks. They built on their understanding of character and setting by writing vivid descriptions, brought their ideas to life through exciting adventure narratives, and explored the structure of dialogue and stage direction by writing and performing their own playscripts. One of the highlights was designing magical creatures and writing bestiary entries in the style of magizoologists, this really captured the children’s imaginations and allowed them to combine creativity with technical writing skills.

Refugee Week was a particularly powerful part of our term. Using texts such as The Day War Came and My Name Is Not Refugee, the children explored themes of displacement, identity, and resilience. These texts prompted rich class discussions and thoughtful reflections. It was an important opportunity to build empathy and raise awareness.

To further support this learning, the children also took part in special Forest School sessions throughout the week, linked to Refugee Week. A tent was set up to represent temporary shelters, and the children spent time learning outdoors. Activities were based around the themes in The Day War Came, allowing the children to connect with the story in a meaningful and hands-on way, using nature and discussion to deepen their understanding.

Our topic learning took us back in time to explore Ancient Egypt. The children were fascinated by the lives of pharaohs, gods and goddesses, and the mysteries of Egyptian culture. They created detailed fact files, took part in discussions about Egyptian beliefs and daily life, and enjoyed comparing life then to how we live now. Their curiosity and enthusiasm shone through during these lessons, and it sparked some brilliant questions and independent research.

We also looked at how technology is used in storytelling by exploring the history of film and animation. The children learned about early filmmakers and the beginnings of stop-motion, which linked beautifully to our English work and helped them understand how creative ideas can come to life through different media.

Across the curriculum, children continued developing their writing skills in geography and science through fact files and plant journals. In RE, we reflected on what it means to belong and how different cultures express their beliefs and values, helping children build a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

It has been a term full of creativity, imagination, and meaningful learning. The children should be very proud of everything they’ve achieved, both in their writing and across the curriculum.

Year 4

Kestrel and Swift

What a fantastic Term 6 we’ve had in Year 4! It has been a busy and exciting end to the year, filled with hands-on learning, creativity and memorable experiences.

Natural History Museum Trip
One of the highlights of the term was our visit to the Natural History Museum. The children were absolutely fascinated by the dinosaur gallery and showed great curiosity exploring the creepy crawlies section. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring our science and geography learning to life.

Geography Focus: Climate Zones and Mountains
Throughout the term, Year 4 have been learning about different climate zones and how animals adapt to live in these environments. We also explored the powerful processes behind volcano formation. Each pupil completed an independent research project on either Mount Etna or Mount Fuji, demonstrating their understanding and creativity. We then moved on to studying how mountains are formed, and pupils produced another fantastic individual project—this time focusing on either Mount Kilimanjaro or Mount Everest. Their research and presentations were impressive and showed how much they’ve learned this term.

English: Climate Change Poetry

In English, pupils worked in pairs to create their own limericks and haikus inspired by the theme of climate change. The children enjoyed playing with language and structure while also thinking deeply about an important global issue.

Year 5

Nightingale Class

Woodpecker Class

This term has been an exhilarating experience for Nightingale Class, filled with numerous engaging activities that expanded our learning horizons. During the first week of our outdoor adventure, we ventured to Mote Park, where we participated in the Sky Trail. High above the ground, we navigated challenging obstacles, fostering both confidence and teamwork among classmates. Following this thrilling experience, we enjoyed a game of mini golf, where strategy and precision became essential for success.

This term, we celebrated Sports Day, a highlight that saw Maple House triumph in various events, showcasing the competitive spirit of our class. In addition to these physical activities, we delved into the world of science by creating Lego space vehicles. This project required us to apply our knowledge of space to solve problems, thereby enhancing our critical thinking skills.

Furthermore, we explored the concept of fair testing while designing our own card games complete with equitable rules. This activity not only promoted collaboration but also deepened our understanding of scientific methodologies. As we indulged in reading our class book, Phoenix by S. F. Said, we discovered the power of storytelling and character development.

In the realm of technology, we created captivating documentaries about space and the ancient Maya gods using video and audio editing. This project encouraged creativity while honing our technical skills. Lastly, our PE sessions immersed us in the world of rounders, where we significantly improved our throwing, catching, and batting abilities. Overall, this term has been a remarkable journey of learning and personal growth and serves as an excellent end of year, highlighting the progress every single Nightingale has made this year.

Woodpecker Class have had a brilliant final term, packed with creativity, learning, and fun. In English, the children let their imaginations soar as they wrote their own sci-fi stories. From alien adventures to futuristic inventions, each book was filled with exciting ideas and thoughtful writing, showing just how much their storytelling skills have grown.

In Art, the class explored the fascinating world of the ancient Maya. Inspired by their rich culture and traditions, the children created beautifully detailed masks using a range of materials. Each one was unique, reflecting both the history they had learned and their own artistic flair.

PE lessons introduced the class to handball, a fast-paced and energetic sport. The children enjoyed developing their throwing, catching, and teamwork skills, and many discovered a new favourite game.

A definite highlight of the term was the fantastic school trip to Mote Park. The children had a great time challenging themselves on the high ropes course and sharing lots of laughs during a round of crazy golf. It was a wonderful day out that everyone will remember fondly.

It’s been a joyful and productive end to the year.

Year 6

As we approach the end of the academic year, it is with a mix of pride and nostalgia that we reflect on the summer term experienced by Osprey class. This term has been particularly significant as our students prepare to transition to secondary school, marking a pivotal moment in their education journey.

One of the standout experiences this term was an adventurous trip to Prison Island, where the students faced a series of exciting challenges designed to promote teamwork and collaboration. Through a variety of games, they showcased their ability to work effectively together, reinforcing the very skills that are vital for their future endeavours.

In addition, Year 6 participated in their final Sports Day, a beloved tradition that culminated in a thrilling competition between the school houses. This year, Maple house emerged victorious after various events. The camaraderie displayed throughout the day was heartwarming, with students cheering for one another and celebrating each other’s successes.

The results of their SATs have also brought a sense of accomplishment and relief. These assessments serve as a culmination of the hard work and determination demonstrated by our students throughout the year, and all staff members are incredibly proud of what they have achieved together. Their resilience and dedication have certainly set a strong foundation for the next stage of their education.

Looking ahead, the preparations for our ‘Tree Fest’ leavers’ party and the leavers’ assembly are well underway. The children are diligently learning songs and collaborating on short drama performances that promise to be memorable. Furthermore, they have successfully completed a PYP exhibition where they were tasked with creating a small business and selling a product to make a profit. This project allowed them to apply their learning in a real-world context and fosters critical entrepreneurial skills.

As we celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Year 6 students, we are reminded of the vibrant and spirited community we have built over the years. We look forward to their final celebrations and wish them all the best in their future adventures.

We Are A Nut Free School

We have a number of children who have a severe, potentially life threatening nut allergies. The school is therefore now with immediate effect a NUT FREE zone. Please ensure that your child does not bring any nuts or food items to school which have nuts as a listed ingredient, thank you.

Absences/late arrivals

It is really important that children are in school every day.

All absences are being marked as unauthorised and could result in a fine.

Cucina

School dinners cost £2.61 a day (£13.05 a week). Cucina have asked that this is paid on a Monday. Menus can be found on our website. Please pay in advance via the MCAS app.

Reminder:

Please only send in healthy lunches. No sweets and chocolate are allowed in school. Water only in bottles