Miss Walker (Head of Year 7) and Mr Hall (SENCO) visited many local primary schools introducing themselves to our new year 7’s and delivering assemblies about life at Lealands, helping to ease the transition for future students. Our Transition Evening provided an invaluable opportunity for parents and students to meet key staff, including their tutors, and to ask questions about the upcoming school year. Furthermore, during Transition Day, students experienced a taste of what a typical day at Lealands is like, making the leap into secondary education feel a bit more familiar and exciting as they prepared for September.

During the summer, Mr. Payne led an engaging Summer School programme that provided students with a fantastic opportunity to explore a variety of subjects, including PE, geography, science, and art. The diverse range of activities not only enriched their learning experience but also allowed them to connect with their peers and build friendships before the school year began. Additionally, the program enabled students to meet their teachers in a relaxed setting, helping to ease any anxieties about starting a new school year.

On September 3rd, the ‘Blue Ties’ stepped into Lealands High School for the very first time, experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. They kicked off their day with an assembly led by Miss Walker, where they explored our core Lealands values: respect, responsibility, and excellence. Miss Walker shared the exciting opportunities available to them, including a variety of extracurricular clubs, educational trips, and leadership roles that will enrich their school experience. Following the assembly, students spent time in their tutor groups, engaging in icebreaker games that helped foster connections with their peers and tutors. A significant moment of the day came when they received their Chromebooks, after which they eagerly set up their emails and Google Classroom accounts. Chromebooks are seen as vital tools and key components to enhance students' learning throughout their journey at Lealands.

Six weeks in and Year 7 are fully flying. Our ‘Blue Ties’ have launched into life at school with such confidence and energy. They’ve jumped into extracurricular clubs, stepped up as student captains, found their voice through student council, and many have earned roles in our Mary Poppins production. Staff across departments have been stopping the year team to share how impressed they are. Year 7 have been focused in lessons, resilient when things are challenging, and genuinely enthusiastic around the school. They’re holding doors, trying new things, and setting the tone for what it means to be a ‘Blue Tie’. The STEP’s are on fire too! Together, Year 7 have clocked over 30,000 STEPS already for hard work, kindness, excellent manners, extended learning, correct equipment and many more, which is such a statement this early on.

We’re so proud of them and want to give a huge shoutout to our current top ten step‑earners. Your effort is being noticed and it matters. Keep going, ‘Blue Ties’, you’re smashing it.

Inaaya H, Enxhi D, Ishaq-Mohamed B, Leah S, Marima D, Faridah U, Hiba A, Wiam El Y, Amelia J, Maariya R.