Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome back to the new academic year. I hope that you have all had a lovely holiday and managed to enjoy the weather and have a break. This morning we have welcomed back all students in Years 7 to 11 and 13 and it has been lovely to see students and staff reconnecting. I am writing with a few updates as the year begins.
Exam Results 2023
We are delighted with our results both at KS4 and KS5 this summer. Our students have achieved fantastic levels of attainment and we are so proud of them all. These results highlight the resilience and perseverance of our young people who have overcome significant demands over the course of their studies and shown true Leigh spirit. Thank you too, to all parents, carers and of course our Leigh staff for their commitment to ensuring these young people have the very best outcomes.
Key Stage 4 – Year 11 Results
Our Year 11 students have achieved higher grades, across subjects than those in 2019, which was the last time a full set of exams were carried out due to the pandemic. The national picture is that schools were expecting a dip below 2022 as the DfE aimed to recalibrate exams to pe-Covid levels. At The Leigh Academy we have bucked this trend and are also above our 2022 figures in every measure. These results are testament to the students’ years of hard work and commitment to studies, despite the challenges and disruptions of recent years.
81% of Leigh students achieved a 4 or above in English, with 67% achieving a grade 5 or above. 67% of Leigh students achieved a 4 or above in mathematics, with 43% achieving a grade 5 or above.
Languages continue to be particularly successful at The Leigh Academy with 85% of students studying French achieving a grade 4 or above, and 95% of students studying Spanish achieving a grade 4 or above. Vocational subjects also continue to be exceptionally strong, highlighting our students’ consistent performance across the two years of study, with students in every BTEC achieving multiple Level 2 Distinction Stars, including in Health & Fitness, Health and Social Care, ICT and Engineering We also have a high number of grade 9s across a range of subjects including – Combined science, Chinese, English language, English Literature, fine art, French, further maths, German, GCSE PE, geography, history, maths, photography, Polish and Spanish. Congratulations to our outgoing Year 11 students on a bumper set of results and we look forward to welcoming so many back for their Post 16 studies.
Key Stage 5 – Year 13 Results
We are thrilled with our Post-16 results at The Leigh Academy this summer. After two pandemic-disrupted years during their GCSE studies, this cohort had never taken a public exam until they sat their A level, IB and BTEC exams this summer. They also faced the additional challenges of the return of full exam series and grading at 2019’s pre-pandemic standards. They dug deep, proved their resilience and determination and accepted the exceptional support provided by their teachers.
We offer a range of qualification types in Post-16 at The Leigh Academy and all have fantastic outcomes. Students studying the International Baccalaureate Diplomas discovered that they had achieved the best IB results the academy has had since it was authorised as an IB World School in 2017. In that five year period, the Average Points Score (APS) of our IB students has risen by 10, so that our APS of 30 now places us well above the Leigh Academies Trust average, second in the Leigh Academies Trust overall and above the IB’s global average. Our students’ grades matching or exceeding the global average across our subject offer, with especially strong performances in English Language and Literature (92% grades 7 to 4, 85% grade 7 to 5), Geography (100% grades 7 to 4, 75% grades 7 to 5), Social and Cultural Anthropology (93% grades 7 to 4, 60% grades 7 to 5) and Psychology (93% grades 4 to 7, 79% grades 7 to 5).
Our A Level and BTEC results place us only just below performance in 2022, despite the national reduction in the number of students achieving top grades, and significantly higher than than performance in 2019.
With notably strong performances in Fine Art (75% grade B or above) and Graphic Communications (100% grade B or above). BTEC subjects proved consistently successful, with particularly strong performances in Computing (100% graded at Merit or above and 50% graded at Distinction or above) and Sport (100% graded at Merit or above and 42% graded at Distinction or above).
Two thirds of our Year 13 cohort will take up places at university this autumn, with the rest either beginning apprenticeships, employment or taking a gap year to travel. We are also really proud that we have a student going to Cambridge University for the first time in the academy’s history. Recognition must be given to the determination shown by all Leigh staff and particularly the Post-16 teachers, tutors and Attenborough College team, who have supported our students to great success now and into their future.
The Academy Site
Over the summer we have also had extensive works carried out at The Leigh Academy. We are delighted that the Leigh Academies Trust has invested £1.2 million into our new science suite. The final phase has been completed this summer with 3 new science labs, 4 repurposed and refurbed classrooms and a business studies suite. We have also renovated the PE changing rooms, which has resulted in a more spacious and pleasant changing facility. Staff are delighted with the new teaching areas and I am sure students will enjoy and appreciate the new learning environment too.
Communication Home/Academy
We know that home/academy communication is a vital ingredient in your child’s success, as such a reminder that your first port of call is usually your child’s form tutor. Alternatively please do contact your child’s college admin who will be able to answer any queries or direct you to the appropriate person.
Main Reception – 01322 620400 info@leighacademy.org.uk
Attenborough College Admin – 01322 620439
Curie College Admin – 01322 620508
Mandela College Admin – 01322 620511
Seacole College Admin – 01322 620520
Shakespeare College Admin – 01322 620507
Thank you for your ongoing support as we work in partnership to support your child. I look forward to welcoming you to upcoming events throughout the year ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Julia Collins
Principal
