Leigh Academy
 | |
| Motto | Act Enterprisingly, Work in Partnership, Achieve Excellence |
|---|---|
| Established | 2008 |
| CEO | Simon Beamish |
| Founder | Sir Geoffrey Leigh |
| Location |
Green Street Green Road Dartford Kent DA1 1QE England Coordinates: 51°26′13″N 0°14′06″E / 51.437°N 0.235°E |
| Local authority | Kent LEA |
| DfE number | 886/6910 |
| DfE URN | 135297 |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 1465[1] |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Ages | 11–19 |
| Houses | Brunel , Chaucer , Darwin , Da Vinci |
| Previous names | The Downs School, The Leigh City Technology College |
| Website |
www |
The Leigh Academy is a state funded academy for the Dartford area of Kent, England. The Leigh Academy is part of Leigh Academies Trust whose CEO is Simon Beamish,[2] who succeeded Frank Green, who was the principal of the school when it was designated a City Technology College from 1997 to 2007. Prior to 1997, the Leigh was the Downs School.
History
The Leigh Academy occupies the former site of the Downs secondary school. In 1990 it became the Leigh City Technology College, when it opened as one of the original 15 City Technology Colleges.[3] In September 2007, The Leigh became an academy. In October 2009, it was recognized as Outstanding by Ofsted.[4] In January 2013, The Leigh was recognized as one of the top 100 schools in England by The Department for Education. In May 2013, the Academy's Ofsted ratings were reduced from outstanding to good.[5]
Academy
In January 2008 students and staff moved into state of the art buildings. The official opening of the academy took place on 20 June 2008 led by Lord Coe.[6]
The academy is split into four colleges: Brunel, Da Vinci, Darwin and Chaucer. Each College has its own Principal and Vice Principal.
The academy provides a 350-seat lecture theatre, where assemblies and other lectures take place; a restaurant with school meals - provided by Cucina; open-planned learning plazas, a sports hall, where many indoor sports, like basketball and tennis are played and taught; drama and dance studios, that are ideal for rehearsal; and a gym.
Leigh Academies Trust
The Leigh Academy is part of a network of seven schools, which make up Leigh Academies Trust. The trust was formed in 2008, linking the Leigh Academy and Longfield Academy, under a single governing body. Now the Leigh Academy is linked with Longfield Academy, Wilmington Academy, Milestone Academy, Dartford Primary School (formerly St. Albans Infant School & York Road Junior Academy), Hartley Primary Academy, and the Leigh UTC.[7]
The Leigh UTC
The Leigh UTC, also part of Leigh Academies Trust, opened to students on 8 September 2014[8] and specialises in Engineering and Computer Sciences. The school is now open to students in Year 10, 11, 12 and 13.[9]
References
- ↑ "Performance Tables". Department for Education. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ "SIMON BEAMISH APPOINTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE". Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ "Sir Jeffrey Leigh". Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ Gilbert, Christine. "Outstanding schools 2009-2010". Scanned copy of letter. Ofsted. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ Wheatley, Edward. "The Leigh Technology Academy" (PDF). Digital copy of Ofsted report. Ofsted. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ "Sir Geoffrey Leigh, and Lord Coe opening the school". Image. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ "Leigh Academies Trust". Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ "The Leigh UTC - UTC". UTC. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ↑ "The Leigh UTC - Applying". The Leigh UTC. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
