<![CDATA[West Lodge School News Feed - Latest News]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk%2Fnews%2F%3Fpid%3D11%26amp%3Bnid%3D1 Juniper Education Content Management System (CMS) Version: 4.5 (junipereducation.org) Wed, 1 Apr 2026 16:30:01 GMT Wed, 1 Apr 2026 16:30:01 GMT <![CDATA[ West Lodge School and St Dunstan’s Education Group announce a new merger ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/west-lodge-and-st-dunstans-merger West Lodge School and St Dunstan’s Education Group are delighted to announce a merger, which will take effect from 31st August 2026. 

]]> Wed, 4 Feb 2026 20:06:05 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/west-lodge-and-st-dunstans-merger <![CDATA[ Bexley and Kent Tests 2025: Well done to all our Year 6 Pupils ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=72 We're very proud of the success of each and every pupil in our hard-working Year 6 class.  As you can see from our inspection report, website, news and social media channels all our children produce outstanding work for their age and make tremendous progress. 

]]> Mon, 3 Nov 2025 10:52:11 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=72 <![CDATA[ New unit on rewilding introduced to module about sustainability ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=78 As part of their Geography learning, Year 5 have been studying a variety of topics related to sustainability.  They have particularly enjoyed a new unit we recently launched which focusses on rewilding; a proactive way to achieve ecological restoration. 

]]> Wed, 1 Apr 2026 16:30:01 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=78 <![CDATA[ West Lodge Choir sings with a choir of over 8,000 at Young Voices ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=76 Held at the O2, Young Voices was a fantastic experience for West Lodge children.  It allowed them to sing as part of a choir made up of over 8,000 children and to sing with some well-known artists who themselves had been inspired by Young Voices. 

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:53:26 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=76 <![CDATA[ 2026 Independent School Exam Success ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=75 Congratulations to Year 6 pupils.  Two pupils have been offered places at Sevenoaks School (1 music scholarship) and three pupils have been offered places at Colfe's School (2 academic scholarships).

]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:20:35 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=75 <![CDATA[ 12 Gold Awards in Primary Mathematics Challenge ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=73 Year 5 and 6 took part in the Primary Mathematics Challenge, a paper with 25 challenging problem solving questions, and all the children performed brilliantly.

]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2025 11:27:12 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=73 <![CDATA[ Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=71 Congratulations to the children in Years 5 and 6 who were invited to take part in the UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge, tackling 25 difficult problem-solving questions. All children achieved either Bronze, Silver or Gold level.

]]> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 12:45:34 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=71 <![CDATA[ Artwork secures place in National Finals of ISA Art Competition ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=70 Congratulations to West Lodge artists, whose work was entered into the ISA Regional Art Competition with great success. 

]]> Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:50:50 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=70 <![CDATA[ Class of 2024 ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=69 It was wonderful to hear from last year's leavers and learn about their first months at secondary school.

]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:22:38 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=69 <![CDATA[ U11 Football Team win the Mini Cup for small schools in the Bexley Borough for second year in a row ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=68 Congratulations to the U11 Football Team who were victorious in their cup final; winning the Mini Cup for small schools in the Bexley borough for the second year in a row!

]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:54:29 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=68 <![CDATA[ Year 5 visit Shakespeare's Globe ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=67 Year 5 enjoyed a fascinating visit to Shakespeare’s Globe where they watched rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet and learned about the history of the building (and where it was originally located

]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:33:30 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=67 <![CDATA[ Engineering Curriculum Introduced ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=66 We have recently introduced an Engineering Curriculum for Year 5 and 6 pupils.  This is based upon the engineering approach of identify a problem, design a prototype, evaluate, redesign and modify which links perfectly with the now well-established Learning Powers. 

]]> Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:22:41 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=66 <![CDATA[ Primary Maths Challenge Success ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=54 Congratulations to these Year 6 pupils and one Year 5 pupil who, not only achieved Gold in the Primary Maths Challenge, but scored highly in the Bonus Round (an invite only challenge) tackling questions that you would expect to meet in Key Stage 3.

]]> Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:05:02 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=54 <![CDATA[ Children learn about AI using real world AI applications; as well as developing their robotics skills ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=53 In the Autumn term the children started learning about the benefits of AI but also about the issues that are posed such as bias, false content and questions regarding its impact upon our learning.

]]> Thu, 2 Jan 2025 15:48:43 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=53 <![CDATA[ Kent and Bexley Tests 2024: Well done to all our Year 6 Pupils ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/kent-and-bexley-test-results-2024 We are incredibly proud of the success of every pupil in our hard-working Year 6 class who continue West Lodge School’s excellent record of academic success, particularly as West Lodge is a non-selective school at entry.  Each and every child has made fantastic individual progress.

]]> Mon, 3 Nov 2025 09:37:38 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/kent-and-bexley-test-results-2024 <![CDATA[ Year 5 learn about digital art during a visit to 'Today at Apple' ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=49 Year 5 visited 'Today at Apple' to learn more about digital art and to practise digital techniques using Procreate.

The children enjoyed this engaging and informative workshop which formed part of their  learning about John Dyer, this year’s whole school artist.  

Natural links between curriculum areas are always made and explored in learning at West Lodge School; this project brought together Art, Computing and Design. 

We used an app called Procreate, along with an iPad and Apple Pencil to create our designs.  First, we took a photo of our partner and used the outline to create our portrait and then we added colour.  We created our portraits in the style of John Dyer who is the artist we are learning about this year.

Year 5 Pupils

]]> Mon, 4 Nov 2024 14:00:48 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=49 <![CDATA[ Eco-Council secure Green Flag Award with Distinction ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=48 Congratulations to our Eco-Council on all their hard work this year; we’ve just heard that West Lodge has achieved the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award with Distinction.

]]> Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:17:12 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=48 <![CDATA[ Celebrating a year of sporting success ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=46 2023=4 has been a fantastic year for sport at West Lodge, highlights include: 

Netball

  • Competed in ISA National Netball Finals.
  • Represented Bexley in London Youth Games.

Football

  • Winners of Bexley Small Schools Cup.
  • Competed in Final of Bexley Cup.

Cricket

  • Winners of Bexley Finals.
  • Finished 3rd (out of 547 schools) in Kent Cricket Finals.
]]> Fri, 19 Jul 2024 12:32:43 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=46 <![CDATA[ From a multi-pitched whistle for refereeing sports fixtures to dog seats and a fridge camera...a wide variety of business plans were presented in Dragons' Den challenge ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=45 Our sincere thanks to the dragons who joined Year 6 for a morning of fantastic presentations, innovative business ideas and amazing negotiations.

]]> Fri, 19 Jul 2024 10:49:53 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=45 <![CDATA[ School Journey: Paris 2024 ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=43 Before half term, Year 5 & 6 pupils travelled to France for a week.  It provided the children with the opportunity to immerse themselves in French culture and use their French language skills to navigate around towns and cities and (most importantly!) to order ice cream.

]]> Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:28:26 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=43 <![CDATA[ Success in ISA Art Competition ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=42 Congratulations to West Lodge pupils on their recent success in the London South Area round of the ISA Art Competition. The following pieces achieved first place:

]]> Mon, 17 Jun 2024 11:53:41 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=42 <![CDATA[ Year 4 journey back to Tudor times ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=41 To tie in with their current topic, Year 4 visited Leeds Castle and journeyed back to Tudor times to learn more about Henry VIII.

]]> Mon, 10 Jun 2024 09:29:27 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=41 <![CDATA[ Year 6 visit the Royal Courts of Justice ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=40 Year 6 had a wonderful day visiting the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

]]> Sun, 26 May 2024 10:27:42 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=40 <![CDATA[ From climbing to kayaking, grass tobogganing to raft building; Year 3 & 4 enjoyed their adventurous residential visit ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=38 Year 3 & 4 enjoyed their two day residential at Stubbers Adventure Centre and used all of the West Lodge Learning Powers during the visit (concentration, curiosity, resilience, co-operation, and self-improvement) during the week.

]]> Wed, 15 May 2024 12:16:49 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=38 <![CDATA[ Year 6 visit Tate & Lyle's Thames Refinery ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=36 Year 6 enjoyed a fascinating visit to Tate & Lyle's Thames Refinery to learn about the production process from raw material to the end consumer as part of West Lodge's commitment to STEM education. 

]]> Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:08:32 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=36 <![CDATA[ Plastic Pirates! ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=35 Congratulations to Year 3 and 4 for their fantastic production of Plastic Pirates.

]]> Sat, 30 Mar 2024 18:03:00 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=35 <![CDATA[ STEM Week 2024 ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=34 The motivation behind STEM week was to introduce the children to problem solving challenges, enabling them to use their creativity together with their science and technology skills to become engineers.

]]> Sun, 26 May 2024 11:23:43 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=34 <![CDATA[ Year 6 enjoy the opportunity to carry out geographical and geological research on field visit ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=33 Despite the wet weather, Year 6 thoroughly enjoyed their field trip in which they learnt about the journey of a river, floodplains (which they saw first hand!) and took part in a fascinating investigation into the permeability of rocks.

]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2024 10:57:03 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=33 <![CDATA[ Netball Team compete in National Finals and finish 18th nationally ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=29 Congratulations to our Netball Team who competed in the ISA National Finals in Warwick, finishing 18th nationally.

]]> Mon, 18 Mar 2024 09:17:21 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=29 <![CDATA[ 2024 Senior School Destinations ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=28 Congratulations to our Class of 2024 who will leave us in the summer for a wide variety of destinations both within the Bexley Borough and beyond.   

]]> Mon, 4 Nov 2024 14:10:03 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=28 <![CDATA[ Netballers to represent Bexley in London Youth Games ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=25 Congratulations to our netball team who put in an amazing performance and have qualified for the London Youth Games!

We could not be prouder of this fantastic achievement - so very well deserved.

]]> Fri, 8 Mar 2024 12:29:36 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=25 <![CDATA[ Sports Roundup - February 2024 ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=22 Whilst having the chance to participate and enjoy playing sport is the priority at this age, it is great to win too, and our teams have been incredibly successful since the start of the year, losing only a couple of matches.

]]> Sat, 10 Feb 2024 13:58:42 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=22 <![CDATA[ Congratulations to our U11 Netballers who have secured a place in National Final ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=21 On Friday 2nd February our U11 netballers travelled to Broadstairs where they put in a fantastic performance at the ISA Regional Finals! 

]]> Mon, 19 Feb 2024 09:43:12 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=21 <![CDATA[ A focus on friendship ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=20 Alongside excellent academic provision, the staff at West Lodge are fully committed to the school’s desire to be a friendly and welcoming community where everybody is happy and feels valued. Friendship is central to this desire and this has been a focus this term following on from the start of term assembly about the friendship of rugby legends, fundraising heroes and best friends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield.

]]> Sat, 10 Feb 2024 15:42:46 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=20 <![CDATA[ Sports Roundup - December 2023 ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=18 Despite periods of very wet weather, it has been a successful term for our sports teams. Lots of children have participated in activities across the school, which is great to see, and it is always very pleasing when they perform well.

]]> Sat, 16 Dec 2023 15:38:39 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=18 <![CDATA[ Year 5 are Victorians for the day ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=17 Year 5 visited Leeds Castle and experienced what it was like to be a Victorian child at school.  Following this, they had a tour of the castle with Lord Philip and Lady Elizabeth.

]]> Fri, 8 Dec 2023 08:52:28 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=17 <![CDATA[ Year 4 set sail on a learning adventure to the National Maritime Museum ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=15 As part of their current Humanities topic, 'Anglo-Saxons and Vikings', Year 4 pupils spent a fascinating day at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich to enrich their learning. 

]]> Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:11:08 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=15 <![CDATA[ Kent and Bexley Tests 2023: Well done to all our Year 6 pupils ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=14 We are incredibly proud of the success of every pupil in our hard-working Year 6 class who continue West Lodge School’s excellent record of academic success, particularly as West Lodge is a non-selective school at entry.

100% of our Year 6 cohort sat either one or both of the Kent and Bexley tests.  77% of the children achieved grammar status in at least one of the tests and 74% of pupils were deemed selective in both the Kent and Bexley tests.  67% of those who sat the Bexley Test were assessed as selective and 85% in Kent, with two pupils scoring sufficiently highly to be placed in the Top 180 of the Bexley Test. 

]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:10:12 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=14 <![CDATA[ Year 3 travel back to the Stone Age ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=9 Year 3 travelled back to the Stone Age and enjoyed a full day of workshops learning about early trading, beliefs, using stone to grind grain, cave painting, hunting and farming and how weapons were made thanks to our amazing opposable thumbs and well-developed brains.

Read some of their recounts here:

]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:06:29 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=9 <![CDATA[ Year 5 complete a 'mission to Mars' at the Science Museum ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=8 Year 5 attended a variety of workshops at the Science Museum in order to develop their learning of their current Science topic, 'Earth and Space'.

]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:44:01 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=8 <![CDATA[ Year 2 'meet' Florence Nightingale ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=7 Year 2 enjoyed visiting the Florence Nightingale Museum in London.  They have enjoyed learning about Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole this half term, looking at how they both improved nursing.

]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:05:19 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=7 <![CDATA[ Year 6 visit Houses of Parliament ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=5 Year 6 enjoyed an informative visit to the Houses of Parliament. They had the opportunity to view the House of Lords and House of Commons and learn about democracy, the UK government and how laws are made. 

]]> Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:37:22 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=5 <![CDATA[ Congratulations to Chef Paul and the Catering Team ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=4 Congratulations to Chef Paul and our Catering Team who have been selected as the Holroyd Howe Team of the Year for South East England.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 10:03:17 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=4 <![CDATA[ Sports Days....healthy competition, teamwork, plenty of fun and the opportunity for older students to take on leadership roles. ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=3 The EYFS event was held on our new multi-purpose all weather sports pitch and older students enjoyed competing on the grass track which provided the opportunity for them to run a mini marathon.

]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 08:07:16 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=3 <![CDATA[ Year 6 wrote to King Charles ahead of his coronation ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=2 Here's just a small selection of their eloquent, informed and persuasive letters...

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:01:07 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=2 <![CDATA[ Early Years Pupils are enjoying their new outdoor learning space. ]]> https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=1 It was wonderful to welcome the children back to school today after the Easter break.

This morning Reception pupils were excited to try out their new Early Years outdoor area and everyone enjoyed playtime on the new sports pitch.

]]> Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:41:34 GMT https://www.westlodge.org.uk/news/?pid=11&nid=1&storyid=1