Leigh Academy Dartford has been recognised by HM King Charles for providing excellent educational opportunities in its community, including for disadvantaged children. As a consequence, it has been invited to attend the Education and Skills Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Leigh Academy Dartford was one of the first primary schools to join Leigh Academies Trust. It is a highly inclusive, large three-form entry primary in urban Dartford and an International Baccalaureate World School, offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) from nursery through to year 6.
Excellent leadership has completely transformed the academy since it was judged to require special measures by Ofsted prior to joining the Trust. Its accelerated improvement in recent years under the inspirational leadership of Principal, Rebecca Roberts, has been most impressive indeed. This resulted in 97% of children achieving the combined national standard in their year 6 KS2 SATs last summer versus a national average of 61%. The academy’s figure was 92% for disadvantaged pupils. These results placed the academy in the top 1% of schools nationally according to the Sunday Times, as well as placing it at the top of the Kent primary performance table.
In September 2023, Ofsted judged that the academy was probably outstanding in an ungraded inspection. We are expecting a full graded inspection soon and are confident of further success. This most recent recognition from HM King Charles is yet another remarkable endorsement of the success of Leigh Academy Dartford and the astonishing work it does on behalf of its children and families.
