Leigh Academy Milestone Newsletter
December 2025 - Term 2
December 2025 - Term 2
Dear Parents and Carers,
As I write, there is definitely a hint of festive magic in the air as Module 2 draws to a close. There is much to celebrate as I look back at a busy seven weeks of learning, achievements, new experiences and fun.
We returned from half term in November to our newly renovated Primary playground and since then it has been in constant use, providing a great backdrop to outdoor explorations.
It has been a module rich with extra-curricular activities in sports, community participation, and school trips. All our students have had opportunities to challenge themselves and grow not just in the classroom, but in forest school, in PE, in community projects and enterprise initiatives. Phases 1 and 2 have enjoyed festive parties, while our older students have undertaken Christmas performances, run Christmas markets and even prepared a Christmas lunch!
As parents/carers you have been treated to some wonderful festive events and performances. We are always so thrilled to see so many of you supporting these events and seeing for yourselves how your children are thriving in school. On that note, I would also like to share that last week we were contacted by a member of the public who happened to attend the same pantomime performance as some of our students. They were compelled to contact us as they had observed our staff working tirelessly throughout the performance to ensure every child was able to enjoy the experience. The observer expressed how impressed they were with the professionalism, dedication, and care demonstrated by our staff.
There is so much to share with you, so I urge you to visit your child’s class pages, as well as the PE, Forest School, and Horticulture pages; where you can read in more detail about all the fantastic learning activities your child has been enjoying.
It remains for me to wish you all a wonderful break and festive season. I hope the new year brings you all peace and joy. We look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday 6th January 2026!
Sarah Goosani
Principal
In this module, the children have been busy exploring a rich and varied curriculum. In literacy, they enjoyed Traditional Tales and Poems from other cultures, while in science they investigated everyday materials through hands-on activities. Our theme of 'Celebrating Difference' encouraged thoughtful discussions and strengthened our inclusive school community.
The children were fascinated when learning about the Gunpowder Plot and took part in celebrations linked to both Diwali and the Nativity. In art, they developed their drawing and painting skills, and in PE they focused on locomotion through fun and engaging movement activities. Design and technology lessons introduced them to food packaging, as well as using touch screens and keyboards with growing confidence.
We were delighted to welcome parents for our Christmas Stay and Play session. The children loved sharing their learning, and everyone enjoyed exploring the festive tuff tray activities. It was a wonderful way to end a busy and joyful 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 children at M@LACO have enjoyed a fun-filled term. We began the module by exploring tuff trays and taking part in a range of adult-led activities linked to Remembrance Day and Firework Night. To mark Remembrance Day, the children made poppy biscuits and created beautiful poppy artwork. They also had great fun making colourful firework pictures with paint and glitter as part of our Firework Night learning.
The children then moved on to learning inspired by two key texts: Polar Bear, Polar Bear and Brown Bear, Brown Bear. They particularly enjoyed the repetition in the stories and exploring the main characters using symbols and adult support. During our Polar Bear focus, the children had great fun investigating ice and discovering different ways to free the animals that had been frozen inside. They also created their own polar bear pictures using a variety of textures, with adults introducing rich vocabulary to help describe how each texture felt. During our Brown Bear learning, the children enjoyed creating collages of the various animals featured in the story. With adult support, they also matched animal figures to the corresponding symbols and explored tuff trays designed to represent the animals’ colours in a sensory, hands-on way.
We wish you and your family a restful break and look forward to welcoming you back in 2026.
Please take a look at our class page: Phase 1 Class pages
Faye Mendez - Satellite Director
Phase 2 pupils enjoyed an incredibly productive Module 2, dedicating their time to learning all about Britain in the 1950s and 1960s through engaging, hands-on inquiry. This historical exploration blended seamlessly with our science focus on sound, allowing pupils to experience various music genres, practice communicating their preferences (likes and dislikes), and investigate the concepts of loud and quiet.
Orchard class have been making delicious recipes in their cooking lessons, including making wraps, sandwiches, decorating biscuits and making fruit kebabs. They have also had fun in art exploring sketching and drawing using different materials and did some fantastic leaf printing.
Forest Class have been enjoying their community participation each week at the local park, where everyday play has turned into exciting lessons in maths and science. They have been exploring fast and slow, push and pull on the roundabout and swings; and also under/through the tunnel. Outdoor learning has been helping students see how classroom ideas connect to the world around them.
Canyon class have been embracing nature and enjoying their weekly forest school sessions, where they have explored lots of natural inquiry-based activities. The children have been really motivated by this and found it really enjoyable. Canyon have also been working hard on their communication skills through sensory stories and are enjoying the run up to Christmas with lots of fun Christmas crafts, which we hope you will enjoy.
Glacier Class have had a fantastic time exploring sound this term. Using a range of instruments, they investigated how vibrations create the sounds we hear. The children particularly enjoyed making their own shakers and playing along to musical rhythms, experimenting with both tempo and pitch. Pupils have also been using the balance bikes on our brand new bike track navigating lumps and bumps and learning how to stop.
Woodland Class have made fantastic progress on their individual targets through a range of whole-class activities, including Forest School. We have explored the seasonal changes from autumn to winter through engaging experiences such as Massage Stories and Sensology.
This module has been filled with special events. During our PMLD Winter Wonderland, we had a magical time visiting Santa. A memorable highlight was our 'Michael Rosen' event, where we enjoyed listening to the poet and author share and perform some of his most famous works. As part of our Inquiry learning, we have also been discovering what life was like in the 1950s and 60s. The voice-changing microphones have been a particular favourite and have brought lots of laughter and excitement to our sessions.
The children have also been really benefiting from structured intensive interaction sessions led by Graham and his superb storytelling.
Coast and Mountain class enjoyed a trip to see Cinderella at Woodville halls. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the show and were awe stricken by the sensory lights, songs and dancing delights they could see. It was wonderful to accompany them in experiencing a traditional pantomime alongside their peers and witness their engagement and curiosity shine through. We also had some wonderful feedback from a member of the public: “I wanted to express how impressed we were with the professionalism, dedication, and care demonstrated by your staff. It reflected greatly on your school and, more importantly, ensured that your pupils had a truly positive experience.” It was wonderful for the staff to receive such amazing feedback from an external person.
On a different note, all classes have been absolutely thrilled exploring our brand new playground! It has been wonderful watching them develop their play and communication skills, supported by adult modelling, as they enjoy all the new features the area has to offer.
It has been really lovely getting to know parents through the various meetings and appointments we attend. It’s always lovely to hear the positive impact that Milestone is having on pupils’ daily lives outside of school. We are always here to offer support when needed, so please do contact us.
To celebrate the festive season, children from Phase 2 will be bringing home a festive party bag with lots of sensory goodies - please be aware some may have small parts so children will need to be supervised when exploring their bags. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2026.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 2 Class pages
Lucy Sparks - Phase 2 Leader
Michelle Hilton - Assistant Principal Phase 2
The students at M@LAD have had a truly fantastic Module 2, staying busy with an exciting variety of learning opportunities and memorable experiences. Across the school, pupils have continued to make great progress in their phonics, communication, and self-help skills, showing growing confidence and independence in their daily routines.
Comet Class have embraced their Forest School sessions, exploring the outdoors, developing their teamwork, and enjoying hands-on activities in nature. Nova Class have had a particularly adventurous module, taking part in a range of off-site community visits where they challenged themselves with real-life tasks such as budgeting, practising health and safety, and building important social skills. Meanwhile, Moonbeam Class have made excellent strides in both swimming and personal care, celebrating many individual achievements along the way.
A highlight for all students was the wonderful pantomime at M@SGLA, which brought plenty of laughter and festive cheer. At the time of writing, excitement is building as the children continue to work hard in preparation for their upcoming Alice in Wonderland production, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the magical Christmas trip to Farmer Christmas.
This module has also been packed with sporting opportunities, including speed stacking, boccia, curling, and even a girls’ rugby festival, giving students the chance to try new activities and showcase their skills.
It has truly been a busy, brilliant, and rewarding term for all of our students at M@LAD, and we are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 2 Class pages
Jessica Street - Satellite Director
We're wrapping up a very busy and exciting module centered around the transdisciplinary theme, "Who We Are," and our central idea: "Our identities are formed by how we connect with ourselves, other people, and nature."
To explore connections with others, students engaged with the story 'The World Came to Our Place Today.' Our learning initially focused on maps of students' houses, which brilliantly supported their understanding of shape. We then expanded our horizons, investigating how far goods travel, using globes and studying various forms of transport.
The long distances many foods travel provided rich opportunities for hands-on learning:
Sensory Learning: We engaged in sensory exploration and sensory art related to these global goods.
Cooking: A highlight was our deep dive into 'chocolate,' which was exceptionally engaging and tasty.
Mathematics: Students sharpened their skills by completing tally charts and creating bar graphs to represent the journey and origins of these items.
Our successful Inquiry Day focused on the vital skill of personal hygiene. Students participated in many activities to understand its importance, helping them develop greater independence.
In an exciting entrepreneurial endeavour, students have started and are running a business. This real-world experience, from start-up to maintaining success, is providing valuable insights and supporting early careers learning, all while raising funds for our phase.
As the module concludes the learning pace remains high. We're transitioning our focus to the joy and traditions of Christmas and holiday festivities.
Crucially, this festive learning has included an important lesson in empathy and community spirit: We have focused on thinking of others by compiling a Phase 3 Hamper for the elderly who may be forgotten at this time of year. This initiative reinforces our central idea of connecting with other people and fostering a sense of social responsibility.
We hope you and your family enjoy a restful and festive break, however you choose to celebrate, and we eagerly anticipate all the learning opportunities and experiences Module 3 will bring.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 3 Class pages
Maria Steer - Phase 3 Leader
Kyle Marsh - Assistant Principal Phase 3
Module 2 has once again been a busy but incredibly rewarding part of the year. As we approached the Christmas season, the pace of learning, events, and celebrations picked up - yet it remained the warmest term, filled with moments that reminded us why we do what we do. It has been a wonderful time to reflect on the progress our students have made, the resilience they continue to show, and the sense of community that grows stronger with each passing week.
In this Module, we concluded our “Who We Are” theme from Module 1. Students particularly enjoyed learning about World War I, exploring its causes, key events, and personal stories of those involved. Through this, they demonstrated curiosity, knowledgeability, and reflective thinking, engaging deeply with history and making meaningful connections to the present.
In PSPD, we explored prejudice, discrimination, and the Equality Act 2010, examining how values and expectations shape our society. This helped students develop principled and open-minded attitudes, as well as empathy and respect for others.
For Community Participation, students visited Bluewater Cinema to watch Kensuke’s Kingdom, a story of resilience and survival, which linked directly to our history learning. During the trip, students practised important life skills, including navigating public transport independently, making choices, and purchasing their own lunch in the food hall.
During Careers sessions, students worked hard creating a variety of items for the Christmas Market, developing enterprise skills such as planning, teamwork, creativity, and financial literacy. This practical project allowed students to experience responsibility and see the real-world impact of their efforts.
We also participated in the Youth Coping with Challenges Workshop led by the British Red Cross. This session gave students strategies to manage difficult feelings and challenging situations, helping them build confidence, resilience, and supportive peer relationships.
The Module concluded successfully with our Tea & Talk for Families and the Christmas Market, which were greatly supported by our families. These events highlighted students’ creativity, independence, and enterprise skills, as well as their ability to work collaboratively and contribute to the wider community.
Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season! For those celebrating, Merry Christmas! We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 6th January.
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 3 Class pages
Sofia Pinto - Satellite Director
The students in Phase 4 have worked extremely hard this term while continuing to explore our central idea, “Learning about ourselves helps us to find our place and grow as individuals.” It has been a busy and exciting term, with a number of special events including the Christmas Sale and Festive Tea.
Students put great effort into creating a range of lovely items to sell at the Christmas Sale as part of their ASDAN accreditations. They followed instructions carefully and focused on health and safety in the workplace, learning to use a variety of tools safely and independently. It was wonderful to see so many customers at the sale, which gave the students a fantastic opportunity to practise their speaking, listening, and interaction skills while selling their goods.
During Module 2, students have fully immersed themselves in running the Castle Café. Each class has produced a variety of foods each week to sell in the café on Wednesdays, including sausage rolls, bacon and cheese turnovers, waffles, and brownies – all of which have been delicious. Dover Class have been developing their hospitality skills by laying tables, taking orders, serving food, and handling money. They have also been working hard on their Maths ASDAN accreditation, learning about different forms of measurement and how these skills can be used in everyday tasks such as cooking and business enterprise.
Students in Scotney, Eynsford, and Leeds classes have been learning about different times of year, with November and December providing many opportunities to explore seasonal changes and celebrations. Leeds Class have continued to develop their use of technology as part of their ASDAN work, through the use of switches and adaptive technology.
We are incredibly proud of all the hard work and progress the Phase 4 students have made this term. We wish you a happy holiday and look forward to seeing you in Module 3.
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
As we reflect on Module 2, we are proud of our students who recently completed their mock exams. Their resilience during this time has been commendable, showcasing their determination and commitment to their studies. This experience prepares them for future challenges and instils vital life skills.
In addition to their academic efforts, our students played a key role in organising a delightful Christmas dinner for the department. This event allowed them to develop teamwork and organisational skills while enjoying the festive spirit together. The laughter shared during the dinner highlighted the strong sense of community within our school.
To further enrich our community ties, the department enjoyed a trip to the pantomime, where students had a fantastic time. The joy of the performance brought everyone together, reinforcing the importance of cultural experiences in education. We look forward to more opportunities like this in Module 3 and wish everyone a warm festive season!
Please take a look at our class pages: Phase 4 Class pages
Nicky McCarthy - Satellite Director
This module has been a whirlwind of activity for our students in PE. Our curriculum continues to provide exciting ways for every student to get active, build confidence, and discover new talents. We've seen incredible enthusiasm and participation across all phases, read on for an insight into a busy Module 2.
We were delighted to welcome Brian Gasking, the Disability Community Cricket Officer, to our main site this module. Brian led fantastic sessions focusing on adapted cricket and table cricket for students across Phase 3 and Phase 4. It has been truly amazing to observe how classes have embraced the many variations of cricket offered. The sessions successfully demonstrated that cricket can be a sport for everyone, with each student finding their own way to access the game. The emphasis has been on fun, teamwork, and skill development, tailored to meet all needs. We are thrilled to announce that these brilliant inclusive cricket sessions will be continuing next module at Milestone@SGLA , ensuring more of our students can benefit from Brian’s expertise and this wonderfully adaptable sport.
The school has been buzzing with rhythm and expression thanks to Ellie from Christina Marks Dance. The company has been delivering high-energy and engaging accessible dance sessions. These classes have been instrumental in developing students' confidence and nurturing their creativity in a supportive and inclusive environment. Students have learned to express themselves through movement, exploring different styles, all while enhancing their coordination and physical fitness. The atmosphere in every session has been truly inspiring and a joy to watch.
We are very excited that the Christina Marks Dance company will be taking their expertise to our Milestone@LAD site next module.
Students at Milestone@LAD have excelled this module by engaging in a wide range of extracurricular events, demonstrating fantastic sportsmanship and determination. They have embraced competitive and fun challenges in sports like Speed Stacking, Boccia, and Kurling, showcasing their precision, focus, and teamwork. Furthermore, we were incredibly proud to see our students participate in Girls Rugby, tackling new skills and breaking out of their comfort zones with huge enthusiasm. Well done to everyone who participated.
We look forward to an equally busy and enriching PE module ahead, with the continuation of these fantastic external provisions and many more exciting opportunities coming up for students from across each site to look forward to.
Evie Forster- Head of PE
What a fantastic module we've had exploring, creating, and learning in Forest School.
The students have been embracing the changing season, exploring the shifting weather even on our recent wet and windy days. We've seen lots of exciting seasonal activities, including playing amongst the fallen leaves, responding to movement created by the wind, and, of course, splashing in some excellent muddy play!
To look after our local wildlife, we focused on nature craft, getting busy making bird feeders to help our feathered friends through the cooler months.
As we approach the holidays, the students have also been showing off their skills by tackling some exciting festive crafts. They have been learning to safely use tools such as palm drills and hammers to bring their creative ideas to life.
We are keen to ensure our young people can continue to access outdoor learning as much as possible throughout the winter, whilst keeping them warm and comfortable. Please ensure that your child has layered clothing, a waterproof coat and suitable footwear for outdoor learning activities.
Have a wonderful winter break.
Please see what our students have been up to on our forest school pages.
Cheryl England - Forest School Teacher
It has been a productive module for Phases 3 and 4. Our students have continued to develop their horticulture skills, taking advantage of the season to plant a variety of winter vegetables. They have also been hard at work directly sowing garlic, onions and bedding plants, as well as planting out the seedlings they successfully grew during Module 1.
In recent weeks, Phase 4 students have been getting into the festive spirit. They have used their creative skills to produce beautiful lavender bags and festive wreaths, which were available to purchase at the Christmas market.
In the classroom, students completing the ASDAN Life Skills Challenge and Short Courses are making excellent progress. They are currently gathering evidence for their portfolios and completing specific challenges, including a healthy smoothie-making task and logging dedicated work hours in the school garden. Well done to everyone for their hard work.
Please have a look at our Horticulture News page
Kirsty Wiseman - Horticulture Teacher
Monday 5th January - INSET day (school closed to pupils)
Tuesday 6th January - First day of module 3
Thursday 12th February - Last day module 3
Friday 13th February - INSET day (school closed to pupils)
Please see the Upcoming Events pages of the website for more coming up.
Harper enjoys her walks and cuddles with her friends. It is very impressive how the children who see her regularly know her so well. They remember what days she is in school, what she likes and does not like, how to walk her safely and how to behave around her. Harper recognises her friends and is always so happy to see them. The bonds that have been created are very special.
Betty continues to be popular in school, getting regular visits from students from every phase. She is also getting ready for the holidays and relaxing in her Christmas outfit whenever she can!
Toffee and Fudge have been busy supporting lots of different students this term particularly from Phase 3. They are always pleased to see their friends especially when there are belly rubs involved. Santa Toffee and Reindeer Fudge would like to wish you all a lovely Christmas break and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
Merry Christmas from Toffee, Fudge, Harper and Betty
Thank you to all those who supported our Christmas Gift Shop during December. It was another successful 'wrap' and we hope the gift recipients enjoy their presents this festive season! We will be back in the spring for Mothers and Fathers Day Gift Shop.
Once again thank you for your continued support.
Sarah Spiers – Chair and Treasurer
Lyn French – Secretary
Friends of Milestone
Medical Team News
Medication: In line with the NHS Special School Nursing Services guidance, all medication is sent home at the end of Modules 2, 4 and 6. Letters were sent home on 9th December as a reminder. Asthma spacers will not be sent home this time unless requested as these are sent home at the end of the summer term. Medication must be returned on the first day of term and children are not able to be in school without their emergency medication. If this happens we will contact you to ask you to bring the medication to school or take your child home.
Medication must be unopened with the correct prescription attached, showing the child’s name, dose and frequency to be given. Medication must be in date. The only exceptions are emergency medication such as those prescribed for asthma or epilepsy or antibiotics. These can be opened but still need to display the correct prescription and be in date.
Individual health Care Plans (IHCP): All pupils have an IHCP. This is updated at least annually or sooner if changes are needed. Families and carers are asked to keep the Leigh Academy Milestone medical team updated by sending an email to the address below with any changes about health needs including medication and copies of specialist health plans following appointments.
Specialist Clinics: We work in close partnership with many medical specialists in order to keep children safe and well so they can attend school, develop and thrive. We also facilitate specialist Paediatrician, Dietitian, ADHD, Continence and Immunisation clinics in school. A member of the Leigh Academy Milestone Medical Team attends these clinics along with a member of class staff if possible. Appointment letters are sent to families by the specialist service directly. Families and carers need to contact the specialist health service directly if you are not able to attend the appointment offered. Clinic dates are updated regularly on the website
https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-health-therapy/health-medical-at-milestone
Contact Details:
To contact the Milestone Medical Team: pupilhealthplans@milestoneacademy.org.uk
To contact the Special School Nursing Service: kentchft.milestone.schoolnurse@nhs.net
Therapy News
Speech & Language Therapy
New Children: It has been lovely getting to know all the new children who joined us in September. The Leigh Academy Milestone speech & language therapy team has seen all children and has provided specialist support and resources as needed. We have been working in close collaboration with KCC and Kent Community Health to review children’s speech, language and communication needs where their EHCP specified ‘blocks of speech & language therapy’ in section F or speech & language therapy provision in section G. Through our identification work a number of children’s speech, language and communication needs have been reviewed by Kent Community Health. Reports have been provided which include recommendations to support speech, language and communication needs now the children are attending a special school setting.
Leavers: While we get to know our new children, we also work hard on supporting our leavers. We have identified the students who need an updated speech & language therapy report to support their transition to college and are working our way through these as quickly as we can and I want to reassure you that we know who the students are and will be aiming to be well on track in module 3. Work to update communication passports for students is also well underway. If families can provide recent photos this really makes the passports very special.
Recruitment: In order to expand and future proof our speech and language therapy provision we have undergone another successful recruitment campaign. I will keep you informed of new appointments and other developments. Also, our very own Tim Sibson has started his Therapy Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship at the University of Essex. This is an exciting opportunity for Tim as he works towards becoming a speech & language therapist in the future and also for us as an Academy. We remain committed to the recruitment and retention of specialist staff in order to support children’s SLCN.
Centre of Excellence: Having achieved our Balanced System Scheme for Schools and Settings ‘Centre of Excellence’ accreditation for supporting speech, language and communication needs twice we are now sharing our knowledge, practice and experiences beyond Leigh Academy Milestone. We have shared our practice at the National Challenge Partners Induction Day and are now looking to extend this further across other LAT Academies. We are also hosting visits from other local special schools who are interested in learning about our implementation of the Total Communication Approach and the impact this has on speech, language and communication development.
Makaton: This term the focus for the Signing Team has been Christmas. We have supported pupils and staff to learn signs to help them understand and talk about Christmas. We are really proud of all our pupils, especially those at our Leigh Academy Dartford satellite who signed the songs for their adapted version of 'Alice in Wonderland'. They were confident and enthusiastic with their signing and made everyone proud, well done.
If you are interested in learning some Christmas signs, do take a look at our website https://sites.google.com/latrust.org.uk/milestone-health-therapy/therapy-at-milestone/signing where you will find some Makaton signs from Better Communication Together CIC.
Being Outside and Language Learning: We know our pupils at the Leigh Academy Milestone love being outdoors. We are thrilled to have our new playgrounds which the children are fully enjoying and gaining new experiences. This helps them to make connections with the world around them.
There is research that shows how nature supports early language development (Richardson et al, 2023). Our Forest School setting helps develop these skills. This includes increasing the desire to communicate, improving confidence and verbal and social skills and well being. We have seen for ourselves how our pupils open up more when outdoors, using more spontaneous language. Some pupils sing songs they have learnt in class and count the leaves outside or sing familiar nursery rhymes like 'Humpty Dumpty' making the cones fall down. Others love the hammock and request for "more push", "fast"and "slow". These are interactions that wouldn't happen so naturally inside.
Over the Christmas break, take the opportunity to wrap up warm and go outdoors with your children. You may be surprised by the difference this makes to how they interact. Enjoy and let us know how you get on.
Get in Touch: I would like to take this opportunity to say that we really do value working with families and carers. While we work hard to support children’s speech, language and communication development during the school day, we recognise the importance of working with families and making sure you have the information and resources you need to support your child’s SLCN at home. With that in mind, please do contact us directly if you have any questions. Together we will achieve better outcomes for our children.
Festive Wishes and Happy Holidays from the Therapy & Medical Team
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.