The Leigh Academy Spring Newsletter 2024
Principal's Letter
Dear Parents and Carers
I am pleased to share with you our Spring newsletter which, as always, is packed full of stories, articles and photos showing the vast array of activities, experiences and opportunities available for our Leigh students over the last few months.
I have been particularly proud this month to showcase our academy to Lord Leigh of Hurley. Lord Leigh was appointed Founding Sponsor of Leigh Academies Trust (LAT), in December 2023, taking over from his uncle, Sir Geoffrey Leigh who had held the position since the Trust was created in 2008.
On Friday 22nd March, Simon Beamish, LAT CEO and Neil Willis, welcomed Lord Leigh on his first visit as he toured The Leigh Academy and Dartford Primary Academy. Lord Leigh met with a group of students from across the Colleges and year groups. The students were eager to ask probing questions on a wide range of topics, from the role of the House of Lords in legislation to current political debates. Lord Leigh provided insightful responses, demonstrating the value of critical thinking that we encourage in our students. Lord Leigh commented upon the calm and purposeful learning environment, the excellent facilities at The Leigh as well as how articulate our students are. Our students spoke about how they embrace challenges and are dreaming big as they plan their future careers and university studies.
We are looking forward to our new academy name, 'Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy' being launched from September 2024. This reflects our position as the flagship academy of Leigh Academies Trust and reflects the importance with which we hold Sir Geoffrey Leigh and the role he played in establishing our academy and our Trust.
We are incredibly grateful to Lord Leigh for taking the time to visit our school. His presence and insightful words have sparked a renewed interest in politics and civic responsibility among our students as well as the opportunity to reflect on our academy, past, present and future.
As we move into Module 5, we must bid farewell to Mathieu Stevens, who moves onto become a Principal of his own academy within LAT. We thank him for his significant contributions in his time with us and wish him well in his new ventures. In turn we welcome Barry Stephenson, who joins The Leigh Academy as Deputy Principal after the holidays. I know that students, staff and parents will welcome him warmly and I look forward to working with him even more closely.
Enjoy the newsletter and have a lovely restful Easter Break
Kind regards
Mrs Julia Collins
Principal
Deputy Principal's letter
As we bid farewell to the winter and embrace the blossoming of spring, it's a pleasure to reflect on the remarkable achievements of our students at The Leigh Academy. Despite the challenges posed by the changing seasons, our students have demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and excellence in various spheres.
Winter has seen our students excel both academically and creatively. From outstanding performances in exams to remarkable displays of talent in artistic endeavours, our learners have truly showcased their potential. We take immense pride in their accomplishments and commend their commitment to academic and personal growth.
Furthermore, as we transition into spring, our students continue to shine brightly. Whether it's through participation in extracurricular activities, sports events, or community initiatives, they embody the spirit of enthusiasm and determination. Their achievements not only bring honour to our academy but also inspire others to reach for their dreams.
At The Leigh Academy, we believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals who excel not only in academics but also in character and leadership. The successes of our students serve as a testament to the effectiveness of our holistic approach to education.
This will be my last newsletter article as Deputy Principal of The Leigh Academy as I move onto another project within Leigh Academies Trust. It has been a privilege to support the young people of this community, and I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all our students for their outstanding achievements during the winter and spring seasons. Your hard work, passion, and perseverance have not gone unnoticed, and we are immensely proud of each and every one of you.
Mr Matt Stevens
Deputy Principal
Deputy Principal's letter
Dear Parents and Carers,
I am delighted to have been appointed as Deputy Principal from Monday 15th April. I am looking forward to getting to know all our students, parents, carers, and staff. My specialist subject is Physics and I also come with a keen interest in sport, particularly athletics and road running. I join from another International Baccalaureate World School also located in the Southeast of England, so I appreciate The Leigh Academy’s current position, and share the ambition for its community. Through several years’ experience of being a Deputy Principal, I know that a successful school has dedicated staff, engaged families and happy students; I have seen this first-hand during several visits to The Leigh Academy in Modules 3 and 4.
I firmly believe that school must provide students with their opportunity to make the best start in life and I am confident that The Leigh Academy does this through its mission statement of ‘opening minds to success’. I also believe that 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’ (Nelson Mandela), and through us working together with your child at the centre, we can help them take the opportunity that our school provides.
I am enthusiastic and ambitious for the next phase of The Leigh Academy’s evolution, and I look forward to meeting you at future school events.
Mr Barry Stephenson
Deputy Principal