Message from Ms Smith
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As the 2024-2025 academic year draws to a close, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I reflect on the amazing achievements and community spirit that have defined Leigh Academy Blackheath over this past year. There have been several key accomplishments achieved through the unwavering dedication and determination for success from our students, staff, and the entire school community.
One of these successes has been our students' commitment to personal challenge and community service through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. We are thrilled to celebrate the successful completion of over 125 Bronze and Silver awards, a testament to our students' resilience, teamwork, and determination. These experiences not only develop vital life skills but also foster a deep sense of responsibility and adventure, which we value so highly.
Our Year 8 students demonstrated exceptional compassion and entrepreneurial spirit through the 'First Give' programme. Their hard work and innovative fundraising efforts culminated in 8C securing an incredible £1000 for their chosen charity, Homestart Greenwich, and 8E receiving a special commendation for their work supporting Greenwich Hospice. This initiative truly embodies our values of empathy and active citizenship, making a tangible difference in our local community.
Year 9 students have excelled in their IB Community Projects, showcasing their ability to identify needs, plan, and execute projects that benefit others. Their creativity and collaborative spirit were truly inspiring. Furthermore, we celebrated the significant milestone of our Year 9 students' MYP Graduation, marking the successful completion of the Middle Years Programme and their readiness for the move to KS4 and the next phase of their academic journey.
This year also saw the successful launch of our Year 7 Passports, an exciting initiative designed to encourage and recognise student engagement across all aspects of wider school life, including clubs and extracurricular activities. It has been wonderful to see our youngest students embrace these opportunities with enthusiasm. As part of their IDU projects, Year 7 also embarked this week on an enriching visit to the British Museum, bringing their interdisciplinary learning to life.
Our Careers programme has seen significant enhancements this year, strengthening provision across all of the Gatsby benchmarks. A highlight was the highly successful Year 10 work experience week, where students gained invaluable insights into various professions and developed essential workplace skills. Feedback from students and employers has been overwhelmingly positive.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated moments of the year was the celebration of our first set of IB Diploma (DP) and Careers-related Programme (CP) results. I am delighted to report that our students achieved truly amazing outcomes. Some of our CP students have attained the equivalent UCAS points of 3 A grades at A Level, while some DP students have achieved the equivalent of 4 A*’s at A Level. These exceptional results are a testament to their hard work, the dedication of our teaching staff, and the robust foundation provided by the International Baccalaureate programmes.
Finally, as we approach the end of the academic year, we also take this opportunity to say thank you to all colleagues who will be leaving us to embark on new opportunities. We wish them all the very best of luck in their future endeavours and thank them warmly for their hard work and dedication whilst at Leigh Academy Blackheath. A particular thank you goes to Mr. Morrison, who leaves us after seven years of dedicated service at LAB as he relocates with his family. Mr. Morrison was the first member of the teaching staff appointed at the school back in 2018, and he has been both an exceptional colleague and leader throughout his time at the academy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him personally for his unwavering dedication and determination to make our school the very best learning community it can be. I know you join us in wishing him well for the future.
We wish you all a peaceful summer holiday, and look forward to celebrating the final BTEC and GCSE results with Year 13 and 11 students before returning for the new academic year in September.
Best wishes
Message from Mr D Morrison
As I prepare to leave Leigh Academy Blackheath this summer, I do so with both sadness and pride. Having been part of LAB since September 2018, it has been a privilege to contribute to the academy’s journey from its inception. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to lead two colleges and oversee key areas including Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Behaviour, Attendance, Data and Assessment, and Health and Safety.
Throughout this time, I’ve been continually inspired by the dedication of our staff, the resilience of our students, particularly during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the unwavering support of the overwhelming majority of our parents and carers. Highlights such as our first Ofsted inspection and our IB authorisation stand as testament to the hard work and ambition that define this community.
Relocating for personal reasons, I leave with much gratitude for all I’ve learned, especially from our exceptional young people and the talented colleagues I’ve worked alongside, including the consistent guidance and mentorship of Ms Smith. LAB has shaped me as a school leader, and I will carry those lessons into the next chapter of my career.
Thank you to all who have supported our values-based approach and helped make our school a place where learning thrives and students feel safe and valued. I wish the academy much continued success in the years ahead.