 What is life as a Sixth Former like?
Arguably the biggest difference when transitioning into Sixth Form happens on day one, even before any lessons begin, from when trust is placed into us students. Where our studies were meticulously planned and aided in Year 11, the safety net is now pulled away, and we are given the opportunity to manage our own time in free periods, off-site lunch and overall greater autonomy in our school day. What feels like freedom goes hand-in-hand with the test of our self-discipline, in a much more focused and rigorous stage of our education.
Before my start of Sixth Form, the phrase “big jump” was often heard in A-level studies. Though not entirely false, it is worth noting that the first weeks of the autumn term feel much like a step-up, and not a leap over a ravine. Academically, the difference is depth: where GCSE tests a base level within subjects and a broad range of facts, A-level requires us to understand the field of study deeply and intuitively. Certainly, to give the example of my studies in biology, the foundation was laid at GCSE along with all the facts; everything so far has delved into the worldly questions: “how?” and “why?”, sometimes challenging simplified preconceptions in a way that lets us better make links across the subject. Most crucially, we are put under no more pressure than that, which pushes us to try our best and keep improving.
In spite of the newfound independence, there is no reason for us not to feel supported. Though naturally everyone feels equally tentative from the beginning, it is the great support from passionate subject-teachers and our peers likewise that makes the learning environment. I particularly find that specialising in subjects places me closer to other students with similar interests and disciplines; what struck me most about the time passed in Sixth Form is that our studies ultimately bring us a bit closer, stemming from our common ground, where we learn from one another often.
Tianming Xie, Year 12
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First Impressions of Sixth Form
Starting Sixth Form at Bexley Grammar School has been quite exciting, bringing a lot of new experiences and opportunities. At first, I was expecting school to be very overwhelming, but as I started coming to school, it became easier to adjust to school and to also meet a lot of new people.
One of my first impressions was how big the Sixth Form feels compared to secondary school. Coming from a smaller secondary meant that it was easier to make our way around class, and it was easier to speak to new people. But despite the school being really large, after the first few weeks it was easy to pinpoint where all of my classes were. Sixth form also encourages more freedom and independence, which makes it easier to manage my time effectively.
Another positive aspect has been meeting new people and getting to know my teachers. Being surrounded by students with different interests and backgrounds has made my experience more enjoyable as it’s easier to gain insight into new perspectives. For me, studying English Literature, Philosophy and Psychology allows me to explore different disciplines and ideas and has helped me develop my critical-thinking skills. It's also very specific and reflects my personal interests and future work.
Overall, my first impressions of Sixth Form have been positive. I believe it’s a chance to develop confidence and to create new memories and experiences.
Jess Solanke, Year 12
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21 Oct 2026 At the start of the year, every student had the opportunity to apply for the role of peer mentor. |
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KS3 MFL Book Decorating 2026
Year 7 and 8 students have done a wonderful job again this year decorating their exercise books. We have seen so many different and exciting creative and cultural designs, it really was so hard to choose the winners!
Congratulations to Bianca P (7JBE) and Tia M (7AWN) who won the overall prizes for German and French and to our other winners in Year 8:
Japanese – Alisa B (8YMS)
Italian – Selin B (8JPF)
Russian – Candace D (8DCC)
Spanish – Cindy P (8LPV)
French - Fletcher B (8CPB)
A huge well done also to our runners-up who have received certificates and merits for their wonderful efforts and to all our Year 7 and 8 students for their entries.
Click on the link here to view the MFL Book Decorating Photo Gallery 2026.
Mrs Savage, MFL Department
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21 Oct 2026 We would like to begin by extending huge congratulations to every student who auditioned for this year’s school production of Oliver over the past few weeks. |
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21 Oct 2026 Our Year 9 students went to Kew Gardens to support their work on world biomes. |
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 The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2026
On sale now! Paper poppies, metal pin poppy badges and various other items related to the Royal British Legion annual appeal.
Prices are from 20p to £2.00 an item (cash only please) and will all be available from Reception until Friday 13th November.
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RAIN
Overwhelming emotions can feel like waves that might sweep you away, but please remember – emotions are temporary, and you can learn to make peace with them instead of fighting them.
One powerful mindfulness tool is RAIN Practice:
Recognise and state what you are feeling
Allow it to be there – sit with it.
Investigate it with curiosity – why am I feeling like this?
Nurture yourself with self-compassion – think about what you would advise a friend/ family member to do if they were feeling this way and then do it for yourself.
When you turn towards your emotions instead of running away from them or suppressing them, they begin to teach you, they calm down, they lose their grip.
You don't have to fear your emotions. You can learn and grow from them.
Mrs Westergaard, Wellbeing Team
Please click on the link here to access all our Wellbeing Weekly updates.
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Please click on the link here to access all our Safeguarding Updates
Safe Cycling
 With the clocks going back over half-term, could parents and carers please ensure that students cycling to and from school are equipped with lights. Cyclists should also be wearing helmets.
Kind regards,
Mr S Auckland
Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead
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Year 13 Mock Examination Timetable ~ Autumn 2026
The Year 13 Mock Examination timetable is available on the school website or by clicking on the link here.
GCSE Examination Timetable ~ Summer 2027
The GCSE summer examination timetable is available on the school website or by clicking on the link here.
GCSE Contingency Sessions Summer 2027
Please note that the awarding bodies have designated the morning and afternoon sessions of Wednesday 23rd June 2027 as ‘contingency sessions’. These contingency sessions are designed to be used in the event of national or significant local disruption to examinations.
This means that all exam candidates must be available to sit exams from the date of their first exam until Wednesday 23rd June 2027.
This decision is not a school decision and does apply to all candidates in all schools.
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Lost Property
The drinking bottles below have been handed in to lost property this half-term. If you recognise your bottle, please collect it from the Reception by lunchtime tomorrow (Thursday 22nd October). Any still at Reception by the end of the school day will be disposed of.
PE Shirts – We strongly advise that all students have their names embroidered on their shirts (by Casey's in Blackfen) as this very much helps us to return items of lost property.
However, if you do choose to give your child a plain white polo shirt, please label it clearly with their name to enable the above to take place.
Please may we also remind parents/carers to write your child's name on all of their belongings so that we can return any lost items to them. If belongings are handed in to us, and they are named, we will contact the student directly, so please ask your child to check their school email account to see if we have messaged them.
Click on the link here to report any lost property or email us directly via reception@bexleygs.co.uk.
Thank you
Reception Team
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Monday Maths Clinic
Did you know that the school runs a Maths Clinic for all students in Years 7 to 11?
It happens in room G13 every Monday at 3:15pm, run by a maths teacher, usually Mr Male, finishing at 4pm. Any student who would like to improve their maths is welcome. You do not need to be invited!
If you come, you will be allocated a Maths Prefect, (usually a Year 12 student, doing A-level maths) and together you will work through some maths questions.
You should arrive with something specific you want to work on. Here are some ideas:
- A specific topic (such as “quadratic equations” or “trigonometry”). Just the name of the topic will do, the maths prefect will find some appropriate work in a textbook.
- A specific worksheet, perhaps something your maths teacher has given you.
- A past paper you need to practise for your GCSE exams.
- A maths assessment you’ve recently taken, where you need to better understand where you went wrong.
 Whatever you bring, you will work with your designated Prefect, and they will help deepen your understanding of maths and strengthen your skills. Students who have come to a maths clinic in the past have found it very beneficial in boosting their assessment scores and ultimately their GCSE maths grade!
Mr Male, Maths Department
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 Free School Meals & Pupil Premium
Dear Parent or Carer,
We are writing to let you know about changes to free school meals (FSM) from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
What is changing?
Expanded entitlement for families on Universal Credit
From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings.
Going forward, there will be two types of eligibility:
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Targeted FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning £7,400 or less (includes free meals and additional support such as pupil premium). Other educational entitlements such as the Holiday Activities and Food program (HAF) and the ‘extended rights’ element of school travel assistance, will also continue to be based on targeted FSM.
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Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit earning above £7,400 (free meals only). Families with no recourse to public funds may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria.
End of transitional protections
Since 2018, some children have continued to receive free school meals, even if their family circumstances changed during the rollout of Universal Credit. This is referred to as transitional protections. Now that entitlement is being expanded to all families on Universal Credit, these protections will end at the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
This means:
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Some children may no longer be eligible from the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year if their family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit
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Eligibility will now be based on current benefit status
What you need to do
If your child currently receives free school meals:
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We encourage everyone to reapply from now on as this is something you will need to do on an annual basis.
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In some cases, your child’s school or the local authority may contact you to confirm your details
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If you are unsure, please contact your local authority for advice.
If your child does not currently receive free school meals
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You may now be eligible under the expanded criteria
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You will need to apply through your local authority / school
Please follow this link and enter your details. https://fsm.lgfl.net
Not sure?
If you are unsure whether you need to/can apply or if your circumstances have changed, please complete the link above for an instant decision.
Yours sincerely,
Mr AJ Skinner
Assistant Headteacher & Deputy DSL
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We're pleased to offer an exclusive 10% Education Discount to students, staff and their families at schools across Bexley and the surrounding areas.
Your Exclusive Education Discount
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Discount Code: EDU10
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Offer: 10% off fireworks tickets
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Valid Until: Friday 23rd October 2026
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Who Can Use It: Students, school staff and their families
Simply enter EDU10 at checkout to receive the discount.
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June 2027 (advance notice)
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