Leigh Academy Milestone Newsletter
September 2025 - Term 1
September 2025 - Term 1
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the first newsletter of this academic year, a module that has already seen plenty of action as our students have settled back into school life. The year has started at full pace and you will see this as you visit your child’s class pages and read more detail about all the fantastic learning activities your child’s class has already been enjoying.
So far we have seen trips out to bowling, Rochester Cathedral and the cinema. Students have made community trips and completed swimming sessions and forest school. There has also been a collective effort to gather donations for Harvest Festival, decorate food boxes and deliver these to the Community Cupboard foodbank. These whole school activities are an important part of our students' learning as they help others and see the real-world impact of their actions. This collaborative effort showcased kindness, creativity, and community spirit—demonstrating how small acts of generosity can make a big difference to those in need. The Community Cupboard would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the families of The Leigh Milestone for their generous food donations.
Congratulations to our M@LAD students who attended the LAT Tag Rugby event. Our team, led by our new Head of PE Evie Forster, competed alongside other schools from across the Trust and demonstrated impressive determination and resilience as they tackled a new sport and made new friends along the way.
I am incredibly proud to share that Milestone has won the district award at the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards 2025, and been named the overall champion for Wellbeing in Schools for Kent and Medway, recognising Milestone’s outstanding commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of its whole school community. Our own Michelle Hilton will represent Milestone at the award ceremony later this month and collect the award.
Thank you to those who attended the recent Summer Fete and thank you to The Friends Of Milestone who work so hard to pull these types of fundraising events together, which is no easy task. As a school, we are so grateful for the crucial, additional funds that The Friends raise and which ultimately benefit all our students. From minibuses and specialist equipment, to the annual Christmas party and paying for a visiting theatre company to perform panto every summer and Christmas; these are all made possible because of The Friends. After years of unwavering service, the current Friends of Milestone team will all be stepping down in July 2026. It is my hope that amongst our parent/carer community there are some of you that will step up to create a new team and take the fundraising efforts forward. Without a new team, The Friends will cease to operate and sadly we will lose the valuable benefits that donations from The Friends bring.
Please read on and enjoy this newsletter. I hope you are all able to have a happy and restful time over the half term break. Enjoy this time with your young people and hopefully the weather stays dry enough to get outside and experience some of the wonderful seasonal colours and changes nature has to offer at this time of year. We look forward to seeing all our children back on Monday 3rd November.
Sarah Goosani
Principal
Harvest Festival prep and delivery!
This term, Phase 1 has been busy with a variety of exciting and enriching activities, all designed to support their learning, development, and well-being.
Koala Class has enjoyed weekly swimming sessions at Fairfields Leisure Centre. The pupils have been building confidence in the water, improving their coordination, and having fun splashing around with their peers. It’s wonderful to see the joy on their faces as they develop their water skills.
Our students absolutely loved their Forest School sessions this term! We made the most of the season by engaging in fun, autumnal activities, including painting with leaves and feathers and having fun in the mud kitchen. The sessions also provided a great opportunity to explore the natural changes occurring in the woods, such as the leaves changing colour and falling to the ground. Crucially, the children continued to develop important social skills this term, particularly turn-taking, as they patiently waited for their time in the popular hammock and on the stepping stones.
Students across the phase have been learning all about healthy eating through a fun and practical activity — making their own sandwiches. They were encouraged to make choices from a variety of healthy ingredients, such as wholemeal bread, cheese, salad, and lean meats, before carefully assembling their own creations. This hands-on experience helped pupils develop their independence, fine motor skills, while also encouraging them to try new foods and make healthy choices. Everyone was very proud of their delicious and nutritious sandwiches.
In the spirit of giving, we have also been working hard to decorate shoeboxes for our harvest donation project. These beautifully decorated boxes will be filled with essential items and donated to the Community Cupboard Food Bank. The children have taken great pride in helping others, and this has been a wonderful way to connect our learning with a real-world impact.
It has been a busy and rewarding term in Phase 1, filled with learning, discovery, and joy. We’re so proud of all that the children have achieved and are looking forward to even more exciting learning opportunities next term.
Please take a look at our class page: Phase 1 Class pages
Katie Collinson - Phase 1 Leader
Claire Woolmer - Assistant Principal Phase 1
The students at M@LACO have settled smoothly into school life and are adapting well to their new routines and environment. They’ve enjoyed transitioning into their classes, getting to know new staff members, and forming connections with their peers. This initial period has provided wonderful opportunities for our children to demonstrate and grow in key areas such as being caring, communicative, balanced, and principled.
As we wrap up Module 1, we’re excited to share some highlights and updates from our school community. Throughout this module, we’ve been exploring the central idea: 'We are all special and we grow by learning about ourselves, taking care of ourselves, and building friendships with others.' We’ve brought this concept to life through engaging stories like Monkey Puzzle and Little Blue Truck.
The children have enthusiastically participated in a variety of activities inspired by these stories, which have sparked their creativity and imagination. In particular, they’ve shown great interest in the sensory story experiences, which have provided rich opportunities for developing communication skills with both adults and peers.
Please take a look at our class page: Phase 1 Class pages
Faye Mendez - Satellite Director
Phase 2 pupils have certainly hit the ground running for the first Module back at school, experiencing tonnes of exciting and engaging learning activities that help them learn about the world, their bodies, and their emotions. From engaging in swimming and Forest School to participating in art workshops, learning has been active and fun.
The Brook Pathway classes have been focusing on physical development, sensory exploration, and important life lessons. Coast Class is making great strides with physical targets in soft play and rebound therapy, while classroom learning is vibrant with the sensory story Arthur and the Golden Rope. They have linked delicious seasonal cooking with a science focus on healthy eating, and their Inquiry has celebrated kind and caring people from long ago, like Albert Einstein, Florence Nightingale, and David Attenborough. Meanwhile, Woodland Class has explored sound and relaxation, visiting the drama studio weekly to use the 'Sound Beam' for music through movement, alongside calming TACPAC and HandyPac sessions. Their Inquiry learning covered important special events like the Harvest Festival and National Recycling Week, teaching valuable lessons about community and environmental responsibility.
Our Stream Classes have been exploring the vital roles people play within our community, learning all about the jobs of teachers, doctors, firefighters, and farmers, and discussing how these roles have changed over time. Learning was incredibly hands-on: the children loved dressing-up and role-playing, investigating medical items such as stethoscopes and practicing applying bandages. They also made learning delicious through seasonal cooking, whipping up treats like smoothies, cheese and onion puffs, and pear crumble. In Art, they explored the dynamic style of artist Keith Haring, making vibrant collages and experimenting with lines.
To top off all this focused work, everyone is thrilled to be making the most of the wonderful new playground, providing even more opportunities for play and learning together! We are incredibly proud of all the hard work and enthusiasm shown by our Phase 2 pupils this module.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 2 Class pages
Lucy Sparks- Phase 2 Leader
Michelle Hilton - Assistant Principal Phase 2
Students at M@LAD Satellite have had a fantastic start to Module 1. The satellite has been calm and settled, and it’s been wonderful to see students already forming strong relationships with staff and peers. The satellite environment continues to provide valuable opportunities for students to build their independence, self-help, and life skills.
Each class has had a busy and exciting start:
Comet has been enjoying community visits in the local area, helping students develop confidence and connection with the wider world.
Moonbeam has been making the most of the outdoors through regular Forest School sessions, exploring nature and building teamwork and resilience.
Nova has made a splash with swimming lessons, helping students build physical skills, confidence in the water, and awareness of water safety.
We’re also making great use of our new 'Preparing for Adulthood' room, where students have been practising making snacks and drinks, as well as developing everyday self-help and life skills. These activities support progress within the PSPD (Personal, Social, Physical Development) and DT (Design Technology) curriculum, helping students gain practical, transferable skills for life.
To celebrate the end of a fantastic Module 1, students at M@LAD Satellite enjoyed a seasonal trip and experience that they helped plan and work towards as part of their learning around independence and decision-making. On Tuesday 7th October, students visited a local superstore, where they each chose their own pumpkin and enjoyed a hot drink of their choice in the café. Back at school, they took part in creative pumpkin carving activities, followed by a cosy cinema-style screening and a special autumnal restaurant-style dining experience.
The day was a huge success, filled with laughter, teamwork, and a strong sense of celebration. It was a wonderful way to mark the end of the module and reward students for their hard work, positive behaviour, and engagement throughout the term.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 2 Class pages
Jessica Street - Interim Satellite Director
Who We Are: A Vibrant Start to the School Year
The academic year has launched with high energy, focused on the powerful transdisciplinary theme: 'Who We Are.' This deep dive into identity, connections, and community is rooted in the central idea that 'Our identities are formed by how we connect with ourselves, other people, and nature.' Students across all pathways are embracing this exploration, making for a truly rich and personal start to their learning journey.
Exploring Our Senses and Emotions
For our youngest learners in the Brook and Stream pathways, the first step in understanding 'Who We Are' has been through self-awareness and emotion. They’ve fully engaged their senses, using the special story, Troll, as a starting point to talk about feelings and friendship. In Roman Class, the priority has been big body movements and coordination, with activities like playground fun, rebound therapy, and swimming—where "liquid listening" has become a new favourite. Meanwhile, Stream classes are developing crucial social skills like sharing and turn-taking, sometimes with the supportive help of sensory massage. To help students manage their feelings, we've integrated the Zones of Regulation framework through fun, creative activities like cooking, painting, making stress-relieving playdough, and growing cress pots that match the zone colors, all while developing dexterity through movement exercises.
Connecting to Community and Responsibility
Students in the River and Waterfall pathways are taking their learning and applying it directly to the wider world. In English, they've been captivated by the legendary tale of Beowulf, using the story to practice powerful descriptive writing. In Maths, they are mastering essential skills in time, place value, and the structure of 3D shapes. A highlight of this was a very practical lesson in citizenship: students used a voting system to elect their Student Council, making a real connection between their lessons and fundamental British values and responsibility. Art has also flourished, with classrooms now brightly decorated with students' work inspired by the vibrant flower paintings of Georgia O’Keeffe.
Celebrating Our Diverse Selves
The entire phase recently celebrated some key moments that showcased their connection to the community. They collectively contributed to the parents' coffee morning by baking a delicious array of treats for everyone to enjoy. They also celebrated European Languages Day and hosted an important Inquiry day focused on 'Who We Are' and the anti-racism message of 'Show Racism the Red Card.' These events served as a powerful way to celebrate the many different cultures within our school. It’s clear that our students aren't just reading about identity—they are actively connecting with themselves, each other, and the world around them, setting a wonderfully positive and inclusive tone for the year ahead.
Keep up to date with our class webpages: Phase 3 Class pages
Maria Steer - Phase 3 Leader
Kyle Marsh - Assistant Principal Phase 3
We are delighted to share that we have had a very positive start to the year at Milestone@Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy. Our new pupils have settled in exceptionally well, embracing the supportive and inclusive environment we strive to cultivate. This module, our theme is Who We Are, centred around the idea that Beliefs, choices, and community shape our identity and wellbeing. Our lines of inquiry focus on:
How our identity develops through rights, responsibilities, and beliefs.
The influence of communities on health, support, and inclusion.
The ways people connect through creativity and technology.
Throughout this module, we have been actively exploring our local community, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us and our place within it.
One of the highlights of this module was the celebration of the European Day of Languages. As an IB school, this event holds special significance for us as it embodies the IB values of international-mindedness and cultural appreciation. Celebrating this day allowed us to honour the rich diversity of cultures within our school community and beyond. Our pupils demonstrated themselves to be open-minded, caring, and principled - qualities that we are proud to nurture at M@SGLA.
Additionally, some of our pupils had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Kent Police Museum. This hands-on, interactive experience was both educational and engaging, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm among the pupils. It was a fantastic way for them to connect with history and community service in a meaningful way.
Our exploration of the local community continued through community participation activities. Once again, our pupils’ behaviour was exemplary, and they represented M@SGLA with pride. Their inquisitive nature shone through as they engaged thoughtfully with their surroundings, demonstrating respect and a genuine eagerness to learn.
We are incredibly proud of the way our pupils have started this academic year and look forward to continuing this journey of growth, connection, and discovery.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 3 Class pages
Sofia Pinto - Satellite Director
Phase 4 has enjoyed a fantastic start to the new academic year, as we welcomed many new young adults to the department. All of our students have settled in exceptionally well - it already feels like they have always been part of the Phase 4 community.
In this module, our learning has been centred around the central idea: 'Learning about ourselves helps us find our place and grow as individuals.' Through this, students have been exploring how their choices impact themselves and those around them, and how making positive decisions can lead to meaningful outcomes.
Students have been supported in expressing their choices and preferences using a variety of communication methods, including their individual communication aids. Across the phase, there has been a strong focus on respecting others, valuing our environment, and learning from the people around us.
As part of our exploration, we’ve celebrated and learned about significant events such as the Harvest Festival and Diwali. A highlight was visiting The Community Cupboard, where students delivered food donations collected by the school. This was a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance of helping others in our wider community.
The students have also participated in work-based learning at Bore Place Farm, where they’ve been learning how to care for the farm environment and take part in a variety of hands-on jobs such as weeding, sowing seeds, and foraging for fruit. These experiences have helped them develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of teamwork.
We’ve also started our Business Enterprise project, where students have been busy brainstorming and planning crafts to sell at the upcoming Christmas Sale. As part of this exciting project, they are working towards their ASDAN accreditations in 'Following Instructions' and 'Developing Skills for the Workplace: Health and Safety.'
It’s been a busy and rewarding start to the year, and we look forward to seeing what the next module brings!
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 4 Class pages
Katy Morez Stephens, Phase 4 Leader
Noleen Donaghy-Parkhouse - Assistant Principal Phase 4
We are pleased to share that students at Leigh Academy Milestone @ Wilmington have settled in very well to the new academic module. It's been wonderful to see them working hard and enjoying the process of making new friendships.
During the first part of the term, all students took part in taster sessions for our business enterprise programme and a variety of short courses. This allowed them to explore different interests before finalising their choices for the year ahead, helping them to feel more confident in their decisions.
In addition, our students have had the chance to engage with the local community by working in our café, and visiting local businesses. This experience not only gives them a taste of real-world business operations but also fosters a sense of teamwork and responsibility.
As we approach the final week of the term, we are looking forward to our first departmental trip to the cinema! This outing will be a great way to celebrate everyone's hard work and positive attitudes. Wishing you all a lovely half term and we look forward to welcoming the students back in module 2.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 4 Class pages
Nicky McCarthy - Satellite Director
We’ve had an absolutely phenomenal start to the year in PE! It has been a privilege to meet all of the inspiring and amazing students across the Milestone sites. Their enthusiasm, energy, and engagement have made Module 1 truly memorable.
Keeping active remains a priority, and it’s wonderful to see so many students consistently completing their Daily Mile challenge.
This term, our students have successfully taken on a diverse range of units, showing impressive progress in both physical skills and critical social development:
Stream Pathway: 'Playing Through Games'
Our Stream students have thrived while exploring fundamental movements and social skills through engaging games. This 'Playing Through Games' unit focused heavily on essential life skills such as turn-taking, following instructions, and teamwork. It has been fantastic to witness their positive interactions with peers, as they are not only mastering new movements but are also gaining a strong understanding of how to cooperate and respect game rules.
Phase 2 River: Developing Accuracy and Precision
The Phase 2 River students have immersed themselves into their 'Hands' unit. They have shown significant improvement in their throwing, rolling, and sending skills, specifically concentrating on becoming more accurate and precise. This focus on control is building a strong base for future team and target sports.
Phases 3 & 4 River/Waterfall: Football Fundamentals
In Phases 3 and 4 our young people have been tackling football skills. They have worked hard to develop and embed core skills like effective passing, dribbling, and shooting within gameplay scenarios. Students have demonstrated exceptional progress as they apply individual skills in dynamic team settings.
It is exciting that so many of our students across all phases are enjoying and accessing swimming sessions. This isn't just about fun—it’s a vital opportunity for them to build confidence in the water and, most importantly, develop essential water safety and life skills that will serve them for years to come.
The momentum will certainly continue as we head into Module 2, with several exciting opportunities lined up:
Inclusive Cricket: Kent Disability Cricket will be visiting to run specialised sessions with our Phase 3 students, introducing them to the sport in an adapted and accessible format.
Sensory Dance: We are delighted to welcome Christina Marks Dance company, who will be providing inclusive and sensory dance workshops for our Phase 4 classes, focusing on movement, rhythm, and creative expression.
Competitive Opportunities: We are planning to access a variety of inter-school events. These occasions provide our young people with a brilliant chance to apply their skills, experience the thrill of friendly competition, and represent Milestone in a fun, supportive environment.
Milestone @ LAD TRY something new
On Wednesday 15th October a group of incredible students from Nova Class at Milestone @ LAD embarked on an exciting new adventure, representing Milestone at their very first LAT Tag Rugby tournament!
Our students approached every challenge with enthusiasm and a refusal to give up, despite initial apprehension prior to the tournament. Each game saw them grow in confidence and skill, a true testament to their resilient spirit.
To every student who participated, you should be immensely proud of your achievements. You stepped out of your comfort zones, learned a new sport, worked together as a fantastic team, and showed brilliant determination. Well done to you all!
A huge well done to our happy, aspirational learners! You truly shone in Module 1, and I look forward to seeing the incredible progress and new skills you will master in the weeks ahead!
Evie Forster- Head of PE
As summer transitioned into autumn, the Forest School area has given students many opportunities to explore the seasonal changes occurring in our woodland environment. Students used the fallen leaves and autumnal flora in craft and sensory activities, and took a closer look at these natural resources using magnifying glasses and classifier sheets. The new digging pit has provided many opportunities to hunt for buried treasure and has been a big hit with students too.
Students in Phase 2 have warmed up with hot chocolate made on the campfire and have begun to use tools, such as palm drills, to complete woodland crafts.
On some of the windier days during Module 1, students took shelter in and around the teepees, flying kites and creating ribbon wands to make the most of this exciting weather.
As the temperature decreases, please ensure students are sent into school with extra layers of clothing, including spare socks, on the days they have Forest School so that we can keep them warm as they explore the great outdoors.
Please see what our students have been up to on our forest school pages.
Cheryl England - Forest School Teacher
It has been a wonderful start to the new academic year, with the dry weather allowing our students to be incredibly busy in the school garden.
We are delighted to welcome our new students from Phase 2, who are enjoying exploring the garden and acclimatising to their new environment. Our Phase 3 students have been embracing the transition from summer to autumn; they have harvested a wonderful crop of blackberries, tomatoes, and squash, while also preparing garden areas for the Spring. Looking ahead, they have sown winter vegetables and carefully collected seeds from our sunflowers and wildflowers.
The hard work continues with our Phase 4 students, who have been busy planting seeds and bulbs, weeding, and harvesting as they work towards achieving their Lifeskills Challenge.
This year we are also excited to launch a new ASDAN Short Course in Gardening. The groups have shown great enthusiasm for the course already, beginning with a project to update our herb and sensory garden.
Meanwhile, students at M@SGLA are tackling a creative challenge to design and make a unique smoothie using fruit or vegetables grown in the UK.
Please have a look at our Horticulture News page
Kirsty Wiseman - Horticulture Teacher
Monday 3rd November - First day of module 2
Thursday 11th December - The Friends Christmas Wrap!
Friday 19th December - Last day of module 2 (Students leave at 2pm)
Monday 5th January - INSET day (school closed to pupils)
Tuesday 6th January - First day of module 3
Please see the Upcoming Events pages of the website for more coming up.
Toffee, Fudge, Harper and Betty were pleased to come back to school to see all their friends.
Children have been enjoying walks with the dogs and the dogs have enjoyed their time in classes.
Harper celebrated her 6th birthday on 13th September. Harper and Betty have become firm friends and chill together when not with children. Betty also loves to check in and walk with Toffee & Fudge when she is here.
Thank you to everyone that attended the summer fete last month, it was great to see families and some of the local community making the most of the stalls and activities on offer. We really hope that you enjoyed the event. We are still considering events for the rest of the academic year, so please do watch out for updates in due course.
This is will be a transition year for the current Friends of Milestone team, as they will be stepping down in July 2026. We are hopeful that a new generation of parents, carers and volunteers will come forward to join The Friends and continue to fundraise. If you would like to know more or are interested in joining The Friends continue please contact friendsofmilestoneacademy@gmail.com for further information.
Once again thank you for your continued support.
Sarah Spiers – Chair and Treasurer
Lyn French – Secretary
Friends of Milestone
Medical Team News
Medication
Thank you to all families for returning medications at the start of the school year; your support was really appreciated.
For liquid medications, such as Calpol and Ibuprofen, we are now required to adhere to a strict six-month shelf life once the bottle has been opened in school. After this time, the medication must be discarded.
Immunisations
This year's flu vaccination programme has started at our main site. The children's flu vaccine is safe, effective, and offered annually, typically as a nasal spray, to protect against serious flu-related illnesses and reduce the spread of infection.
Further visits to satellite sites are due to take place on:
Leigh Academy Dartford: Wednesday 5th November
Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy: Friday 5th December
Leigh Academy Wilmington: Monday 8th December
Families will receive an email from the vaccination team asking for consent for your child to have the immunisation. Please complete this and return it before the scheduled clinic date. If you have any questions or queries, please contact the immunisation team directly via kchft.cyp-immunisationteam@nhs.net
Continence Products
The Children's Continence Team has advised us of changes to the continence product contributions offered by their service to parents and have advised that as of May this year the changes are:
If a child uses 'slip' products (continence pads) the supplement offered remains at 4 per day.
If a child uses pull ups, the new supplement offered is now 2 per day.
They can still offer 2 pull ups and 2 slip products, however if parents do not want slips then they will only receive 2 pull ups.
Parents are also offered 'pads in pants' as an alternative to pull ups, however, again, if a parent refuses these they will only receive 2 pull ups per day.
These changes are across the whole of Kent. The products offered hold between 1 and 2.5 litres of fluid depending on the size and product, so unless the child has soiled them, each product should hold sufficient to last at least 4 hours or more. If you have any questions or queries, please email the continence team directly at kentchft.ccps@nhs.net
Dental care
Families may find the information in this link https://www.autismtoothcare.com/ useful for supporting dental health including eating/drinking as well as dental hygiene and going to the dentist. Many of the resources have been co-produced with families. It’s aimed at younger children with autism, but a lot of it would be applicable to most.
Contact the Milestone Medical Team pupilhealthplans@milestone.latrust.org.uk
Contact KCHFT Special School Nursing Service kentchft.milestone.schoolnurse@nhs.net
Therapy News
Speech & Language Therapy
Module 1 is always very busy as the teachers and therapists get to know all the new children, children are seen in class by a speech & language therapist, EHCPS are checked and resources and intervention are provided as needed.
Speech & Language Therapy colleagues from Kent Community Health are visiting during modules 1 and 2 to review some children to make sure the speech & language therapy provision they previously recommended for their EHCPs has been provided, to review progress and to update the advice for the Local Authority now they are in a special school setting. Families have been contacted and the Speech & Language Therapists will be in touch directly
Joint Attention
Joint attention is a key area of early language and social communication development. It helps develop understanding and awareness of joining in with another person.
Joint attention happens when you and your child pay attention to the same thing and enjoy sharing the same interests.
Ways to help develop joint attention include:
following your child's lead: wait to see what they are interested in. Join in and comment on what they are doing
show enjoyment with what they are doing "wow!"
make eye contact and show you are enjoying the moment too
Try this at different times of the day e.g. outdoors, sharing a book, watching something together, playing with toys.
Physio & OT
The KCHFT Physios and OTs have been visiting to review children, check programmes and specialist equipment.
We have been informed that NRS who had the contract to oversee the supply and maintenance of specialist seating, standing frames and walkers went into administration on 1st August. The company who now has the contract is Medequip. They are in the process of gathering client information so they can complete service checks and supply / repair equipment. We will keep you informed when we know more.
Do take a look at the Therapy and Medical pages of the website.
Liz Skilton and all in the Therapy & Medical Teams
Useful websites with information and resources for schools and parents to support toileting are:
ERIC at www.eric.org.uk
Bladder and Bowel UK www.bbuk.org.uk
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
Also look at the Facebook page for Kent Community Health as they also have information of sessions offered for parents on various topics.