LAR  NEWSLETTER 

 14/11/2025 , Module 2

For the first two weeks of this module our fantastic year 11 students have shown incredible grit and focus with a busy mock timetable, some of them sitting an average of 20 exam papers in this window.  I am very proud of the way in which many have shown independence, maturity and a genuine desire to do well in their mock exams and their conduct throughout has been exceptional. Thanks to the support, planning and resources from staff, I can see they are becoming increasingly ready and well prepared for the real exams in June 2026. Well done to all our year 11 students!

Remembrance assemblies have been a key theme over the last two weeks and you may have seen the photos and footage from Armistice day, where Mr Blinkhorn led a moving and thoughtful service to the whole academy in the dining hall. Students were overwhelmingly respectful and considerate as they took part and it was a proud moment to watch nearly a 1000 students and staff stand together to remember. 

Next week we will celebrate Children In Need with our 'own clothes' day and students in year 7 and 8 will begin their preparations towards Winter Wonderland, our next big event that we hope many of you will attend.  Student leadership have also been meeting with Mr Smith to discuss academy matters and they have contributed to the upcoming college competition programme which we look forward to sharing!

Winter Uniform 

We would also like to clarify that girls in particular should not be wearing socks over their tights - we have seen in increase in white sports socks and fluffy socks being worn over tights which is not part of the policy. Can you also please ensure that your child has a suitable winter coat and footwear for the changing weather.

Dangerous Cycling

We continue to have reports from the public about students riding their bikes very dangerously along the A2 without helmets and weaving between traffic, not using the crossing to cross the road and conducting wheelies in the road. This has also been witnessed by staff where students were putting themselves at genuine risk of being knocked off by cars.  If you allow your child to cycle to and from the academy please talk to them about their bike safety and behaviour on the roads. Thank you 

Reporting Absence

MCAS is now the official and only platform that absences should be reported through to the academy or they will be missed. If you are having issues accessing your MCAS account to do this please contact the main office. 

Remembrance Day at Leigh Academy Rainham

This week, our whole school community came together for a moving Remembrance Day Ceremony, led by Mr Blinkhorn, to honour those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.

In the run-up to Armistice Day, students spent time during form time reflecting on the vital role of service animals in times of conflict and learning about the significance of the purple poppy, which represents remembrance for the animals who served alongside soldiers. These discussions encouraged students to think deeply about courage, sacrifice, and compassion — values that remain at the heart of remembrance.

We are incredibly proud of all our students for the respect and reflection they demonstrated throughout the week, especially those who took part in the ceremony by wearing their service uniforms. Their participation was a powerful reminder of the strength of our school community and the importance of remembering those who gave so much for our freedom.

Lest we forget. ❤️ 

Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students have been busy in the kitchen making delicious deep apple pies. They have been developing their pastry-making and knife skills, as well as showcasing their creativity by designing and decorating the tops of their pies in their own unique styles. The results looked — and smelled — fantastic! 

Year 7: From Fairy Tales to Educational Plays!

Our Year 7 students have truly embraced the magic of performance! They've been mastering essential drama techniques like freeze frames, physical theatre, and dramatic narration to bring classic fairy tales—think Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella—to vibrant life. But they haven't stopped there!

Putting their skills into action, they’ve also become Theatre in Education experts, devising and creating their own short play with an important educational message, designed especially for a primary school audience. Watch out, West End—these storytellers are just getting started!

Year 8: Trust, Shipwrecks, and 'A Curious Incident'!

Year 8 has taken the plunge into the exciting world of Physical Theatre! They’ve discovered that trust and physicality are key to a show-stopping performance.

Students stretched their creative muscles by exploring fun physical challenges like a dramatic shipwreck scene, while also diving into the emotional depth of A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. To understand Christopher's world, they crafted an incredible sound collage to capture the overwhelming hustle and bustle of a busy London train station. They've combined the fun and the profound—a true testament to their growing talent!

Year 9: Scouse Accents, Social Context, and 'Blood Brothers'

Lights, camera, Scouse accents! Year 9 is getting a serious taste of GCSE Drama by exploring Willy Russell's powerful play, Blood Brothers. They've not only explored the social, cultural, and historical context of the play, but they've also jumped into the shoes of the key characters, Mickey and Eddie, playing them from the age of seven right up to the tension-filled adult scenes. This in-depth study is brilliant preparation for anyone considering Drama at GCSE—it's a challenging and rewarding look at what makes a script tick! 

Year 10's Impressive Start! 

Mr. Clark has been thoroughly impressed by the maturity and skill shown by our new Year 10 GCSE Drama students!

Module 1: Advanced Performance Techniques

Module 1 was all about practical exploration, with students diving into advanced performance techniques that require precision and depth:

• Split Staging: Learning how to present multiple locations or timelines simultaneously on stage.

• Abstract Theatre: Exploring non-naturalistic, symbolic ways of communicating meaning.

• Dramatic Monologues: Focusing on naturalistic performance using the groundbreaking techniques of Constantin Stanislavski to ensure every emotion and motivation is authentic.

Module 2: The Written Exam & Verbatim Theatre

Students have now transitioned to the written exam component and are studying the powerful and hard-hitting verbatim style of theatre, focusing on the harrowing piece, 'I Love You Mum - I Promise I Won't Die.' This is an important piece of Theatre in Education (TIE) that challenges and informs, preparing students for sophisticated theatrical analysis.

Upcoming Trip!

To kick off the new year, our Year 10 Drama class has an exciting trip planned to The Marlowe Theatre to see a performance of 'Death on The Nile'. A brilliant opportunity to see professional theatre in action! 

Year 11 Drama: Performance Exam Countdown! 

It is all systems go for our talented Year 11 GCSE Drama students as they race toward their very first practical examination!

The Devising Challenge

Students have been working incredibly hard, combining all the knowledge, theatrical techniques, and skills they have learned over the past two years to create original devised performances. They took a single stimulus (a starting point) and transformed it into a fully realised, unique theatrical piece.

This unit demands creativity, collaboration, and a deep understanding of dramatic structure—and we know they have risen to the challenge!

Showcase Evenings

The moment of truth arrives on the 8th and 9th of December, when students will perform their final pieces to a live audience of friends and family. This is an exciting opportunity for them to showcase the tremendous progress they have made and celebrate their achievements in performance and design.

We are so incredibly proud of their dedication and can't wait to see their brilliant work on stage! Break a leg, Year 11! 

Music Department Newsletter Update! 

Hello, music lovers and proud parents!

The air has been buzzing with creativity and rhythm here in the Music Department! Modules 1 and 2 have been a whirlwind of discovery, theory, and amazing performance preparation. From spooky soundscapes to rocking British anthems, our students are hitting all the right notes!Year 7: The Musical Rookies 

Our Year 7 crew have started their musical journey with a bang! They’ve been diving head-first into the Fundamentals of Music, learning the secret language that makes all their favourite songs tick.

• Rhythm Wizards: They’re mastering the tricky business of timing and rhythm, making sure they can keep a beat better than a drum machine!

• Decoding the Elements: We've explored everything from soaring pitch to thunderous (or whisper-quiet!) dynamics.

• Vocal Adventures: They even braved some small singing activities—a fantastic first step to becoming confident performers!

The verdict? We've got a fantastic new cohort of music scholars in the making! Keep up the brilliant work!

Year 8: Masters of the Macabre 

Get ready to check under your bed! Year 8 took a chilling turn this term, immersing themselves in the terrifying world of Horror Music in Film!

• The Spooky Soundtrack: They analysed how music manipulates our emotions, proving that sometimes, what you don't see is the scariest part—thanks to the soundtrack!

• "Tubular Bells" Takeover: They bravely began learning to perform the iconic (and slightly unnerving) theme tune from The Exorcist. Spooky scales, anyone?

• Composing the Creepy: Now, they are in the process of composing their own original horror soundscapes. We are bracing ourselves for the sheer terror (and talent!) of their final pieces!

 Important Project Deadline: The Horror Music research project is due on Thursday 18th December. All detailed instructions and submission guidelines are available on Google Classroom—please ensure students are checking this regularly!

Warning: We are not responsible for any nightmares caused by their brilliant compositions! 

Year 9: Britain's Pop Idols 

Year 9 is currently on a rocking historical tour through the best of British Pop Culture! Time to put on your dancing shoes and strike a pose!

• Legends and Icons: They’ve been exploring the genius of legendary British bands—from The Beatles and Queen to Oasis, and many more. What makes a British pop song iconic? They know!

• Ensemble Extravaganza: The classroom is alive with sound as they learn to perform British pop songs in group ensembles. This is where their teamwork truly shines, transforming them into mini-rock bands!

Future Prediction: We anticipate Year 9 will be asking for platform shoes and Union Jack jackets very soon!

Year 10: Gearing Up for GCSE 

The pressure is on, and Year 10 is rising to the challenge as they officially begin their GCSE Music course!

• Theory Titans: They've been laying the essential groundwork by tackling basic musical theory, which is the bedrock for all their compositions and performances.

• Triple Threat: The students have been introduced to the three core pillars of the GCSE: Compositions, Performances, and Listening/Appraising.

• Jazzing Things Up: They are now moving into the smooth, sophisticated world of Jazz and Blues music, exploring its history and learning to compose and perform in this complex and soulful style.

A standing ovation for their dedication and hard work already!

Year 11: The Home Stretch! 

Our Year 11 students are in the high-stakes final stage of their GCSE journey, demonstrating incredible focus and commitment!

• Creative Climax: They have been meticulously finalizing their compositions, adding those last magical touches before submission.

• Solo Spotlight: Plenty of rehearsal time has been dedicated to perfecting their solo performances—this is their chance to shine!

• Mock Exam Momentum: Every minute is precious as they prepare for their GCSE mock exam, sharpening their appraising skills and recalling the knowledge of the past two years.

Let’s send them a huge burst of positive energy as they head toward these crucial milestones!

"Where words fail, music speaks." — Hans Christian Andersen

We look forward to seeing the incredible results of their efforts!

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2025/artificial-intelligence-safety-tips-for-parents/ 

Young Carers

At Leigh Academy Rainham, we want to make sure all our young carers get the support they need. A young carer is a child or young person who provides significant care and support to a family member or close friend with a physical or mental illness, disability, addiction, or other long-term health condition. This care can involve tasks such as helping with personal care, household chores, managing medical needs, or offering emotional support. If your child is a young carer, please email the Turing mailbox (turingcollege@rainham.latrust.org.uk) to let us know so we can ensure appropriate support is in place. 

Event: Scholastic Book Fair

Date: 1-3 December 2025 (during break & lunch)

Where: Leigh Academy Rainham Library

Ways to pay:  We don't accept cash payments at the Fair 

1. Before the Fair, parents can buy gift vouchers from Scholastic, the book company, online.  Students can use these vouchers to pay for books at the Fair. 

2. Wish List forms will also be available during the Fair.  Students can pick up a form - take it home for their parents/guardians to complete and pay online.  Once paid, students can bring their completed forms to the Library for collection of the books they've purchased. 

Information supplied by Medway Council

The Leigh Academy Rainham Safeguarding Team works to promote the safety of all students. If you are concerned about a child's safety, please call the academy and ask to speak to a Designated Safeguarding Lead.