Mayor of Bexhill visits Glenleigh Park Primary Academy to celebrate student leadership

Glenleigh Park Primary Academy was delighted to welcome the Mayor of Bexhill, Cllr Memish Huseyin to the school this week, where pupils and staff gathered for a special assembly celebrating student leadership and the democratic process.  

During the visit the new school and eco council representatives were announced, following a recent election campaign involving all pupils. During the assembly, the successful candidates were shared and formally congratulated on their appointments.

The mayor spent time speaking with the newly elected School Councillors about leadership and his journey towards becoming mayor. The children asked questions about his role and shared their excitement about their new responsibilities as councillors. In turn, the mayor praised the pupils' enthusiasm for democracy and citizenship, and congratulated them on earning their positions of responsibility within the school.

The special assembly was a memorable occasion for the newly elected School Councillors, who left inspired to begin their roles and make a positive impact within the school community.

Libby Barnard, Headteacher of Glenleigh Park Primary Academy, said: "We were honoured to welcome the Mayor of Bexhill to Glenleigh Park Primary Academy. Our School Council elections provide pupils with an excellent opportunity to develop leadership skills, understand democratic processes and make a meaningful contribution to school life.

“The mayor's interest in our pupils and their achievements made the occasion particularly special and we look forward to working with him more in the future".

The school council is just one way that Glenleigh Park are raising aspirations within the Sidley community. As the Bexhill and Rother Careers Hub for East Sussex, Glenleigh Park Primary Academy is committed to helping children develop an understanding of the wider world of work from an early age. The school also works closely with local partners and educational organisations to promote careers awareness and inspire pupils to think positively about their future opportunities.

The visit also provided an opportunity to celebrate the school's excellent academic performance from the 2025/26 school year. In Key Stage 2, 80% of children achieved the combined reading, writing and maths expected standard, putting the school in the top 10% nationally and 17% above the national average. In Year 1, 86% of children met the expected standard for phonics, which was also above the national average.

This incredible achievement reflects the hard work of pupils, staff and families, as well as the school's continued commitment to high-quality teaching and learning and to ensuring that every child achieves their full potential.