Dear Parents and Carers,
We are writing to inform you that, starting on Wednesday, 25th February 2026, all Year 9 students will begin their MYP Community Project. This project represents the culmination of students’ work within the Middle Years Programme (MYP). It is a compulsory component that all Year 9 students must complete. The project will be assessed, and final grades will be shared with parents as part of the Summer Reports.
The project will run across Modules 4 and 5 and is scheduled to be completed by Wednesday, 20th May 2026. Students will work on their projects during their Personal Development sessions on Wednesday afternoons.
As part of the project, students are required to identify a need within a community and take meaningful action to address that need. Projects may take several forms, including:
- Research projects
- Advocacy projects
- Indirect service projects
- Direct service projects
Projects such as research, advocacy, or indirect service can be completed entirely within school. However, students who choose direct service projects may need to carry out some activities outside of school in their own time.
Although the project is facilitated and guided by teachers, it is student-led. Therefore, students will need to think carefully about their chosen focus and plan their action responsibly. They may work individually or in groups of two to three within their form groups. Throughout the project, students must maintain a Process Journal to document their planning, research, action, and reflection. They will conclude by presenting their project to their class and Form Tutor.
Leigh Academy Strood has established partnerships with several local community groups, providing students with additional service opportunities. These include:
- Acting as a helper at Bligh Primary School (own transport /walking)
- Acting as a helper at Temple Mill Primary School (own transport /walking)
- Knitting hats for premature babies
- Litter picking in a local park
- Running the social media for a local park
- Assisting at a church-run boxing group
If your child is interested in applying for one of these opportunities, please support them in completing the Google Form application (here). Placements will be allocated based on student suitability, with behaviour and role-model expectations forming part of the selection criteria.
Should students not be allocated a place within one of these community partnerships, they will be supported in planning and completing an alternative project within school.
The deadline for submitting the application form is Monday 2nd March 2026. If your child is successfully allocated a placement, further details will be shared with you after this date.
Thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards,
Claire Fletcher
MYP Community Project Co-ordinator
Lead Practitioner – Science
