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Dartford, Kent

Leigh Academy Dartford

York Road, Dartford, DA1 1SQ

Ofsted inspection

Rated across 5 areas

Inspected 17/06/2025 · Ofsted no longer gives a single grade

See the Ofsted ratings

Pupils

670

Ages

3 to 11

Gender

Mixed

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At a glance

Age range

3 to 11

Gender

Mixed

Pupils

670

Headteacher

Mrs Jennifer Haywood

Type

Primary

Ofsted

Rated across 5 areas

Local authority

Kent

Academy

Yes

Overview

About Leigh Academy Dartford

Leigh Academy Dartford is a mixed primary school based in Dartford for children aged 3 to 11. It has roughly 670 pupils on roll. That makes it one of the larger primary schools in Dartford on our figures. It is an academy rather than a council-run school, though Kent still coordinates the application process. Mrs Jennifer Haywood leads the academy.

Inspection at a glance

At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 17 June 2025, Leigh Academy Dartford was not given a single overall grade, in line with Ofsted's policy since September 2024. Inspectors graded the individual areas as follows: Quality of Education: Outstanding; Behaviour and Attitudes: Outstanding; Personal Development: Outstanding; Leadership and Management: Outstanding; Early Years: Outstanding. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.

How the academy is performing

The latest published key stage 2 figures show 94% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 4.8%, which is attendance of about 95.2% (2024/25). Around 19.0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.

Getting a place at Leigh Academy Dartford

You apply for a place at Leigh Academy Dartford on the primary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 15 January. Where there are more applications than places, the academy's published oversubscription criteria decide who is offered a place, typically starting with looked-after children and siblings. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the academy's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.

SEND at a glance

Leigh Academy Dartford is a mainstream academy supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The academy's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.

Before and after school

For working families, Leigh Academy Dartford runs an on-site Breakfast Club and After School Provision. Sessions, costs, times and availability are set by the academy, so please confirm with them before you rely on a place.

Leigh Academy Dartford contact details and location

Leigh Academy Dartford is a split site academy. Infants and Nursery at St Albans Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1TE and Juniors is York Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1SQ. The office number is 01322 224453. A map and directions are on this page.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted did not give a single overall grade at this inspection (its policy from September 2024).

Quality of Education

How well pupils are taught and what they learn

OutstandingGrade 4

Behaviour and Attitudes

How pupils behave and their attitude to learning

OutstandingGrade 4

Personal Development

Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing

OutstandingGrade 4

Leadership and Management

How well the school is run

OutstandingGrade 4

Early Years

Quality of nursery and Reception

OutstandingGrade 4
View the full Ofsted reportOpen the official report

Based on the Ofsted inspection of 17/06/2025.

Getting in

Leigh Academy Dartford admissions and catchment area

Academy - non-selective

No entrance test - you apply on the common application form

Leigh Academy Dartford does not run its own entrance test. As an academy, its governing trust is the admissions authority and sets the arrangements within the national Admissions Code, while Kent County Council coordinates applications and offers. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria.

Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →

How to apply

  1. 1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)

    Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.

  2. 2. National Offer Day (mid-April)

    You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.

  3. 3. Accept and, if needed, appeal

    Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal.

  4. 4. In-year admissions

    Moving mid-year? In-year applications for an academy are usually made direct to the school - check its website for the in-year form, or contact Kent County Council if you need help finding a place.

Didn't get a place? You can appeal

If Leigh Academy Dartford is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.

How to appeal a school offer
How the school is doing

Leigh Academy Dartford results and attendance

94%

KS2 results

N/A

A-Level results

N/A

95%

Attendance

19%

Free school meals

Additional needs

SEND support at Leigh Academy Dartford

SEND setting

Mainstream school

For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.

Before and after school

Wraparound care and nursery at Leigh Academy Dartford

Nursery

Yes

Breakfast club

Yes

After-school club

Yes

Diary

Leigh Academy Dartford term dates: Leigh Academy Dartford term dates

Autumn 1

1 Sep to 16 Oct

Autumn 2

Autumn term 2: 2 Nov to 18 Dec

Spring 1

Spring term 1: 5 Jan to 11 Feb

Spring 2

Spring term 2: 22 Feb to 25 Mar

Summer 1

Summer term 1: 12 Apr to 28 May

Summer 2

Summer term 2: 7 Jun to 21 Jul

Check the school website for exact dates and INSET days →
Answers for parents

Leigh Academy Dartford: frequently asked questions

How do I apply for a place at Leigh Academy Dartford?

Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Leigh Academy Dartford as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.

What is Leigh Academy Dartford's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted did not give Leigh Academy Dartford a single overall grade at its inspection on 17 June 2025, in line with its policy since September 2024. The grade for each area is shown in the inspection section of this page.

How big is Leigh Academy Dartford and what ages does it take?

Leigh Academy Dartford has around 670 pupils on roll and covers ages 3 to 11. It is a mixed academy taking boys and girls.

What SEND support does Leigh Academy Dartford offer?

Leigh Academy Dartford is recorded as a mainstream school. The academy's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.

Does Leigh Academy Dartford have a nursery or wraparound care?

Leigh Academy Dartford offers a nursery. Times and availability are set by the academy, so check directly with the academy.

What are Leigh Academy's term dates and INSET days?

Leigh Academy Dartford follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the academy itself, so confirm them on the academy's own calendar.

Where is Leigh Academy Dartford and how do I contact the academy?

Leigh Academy Dartford is a split site academy. Infants and Nursery is at St Albans Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1TE and Juniors is York Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1SQ. The office number is 01322 224453. A map and directions are on this page.

About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed and updated Autumn 2026.

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Nearby

Schools near Leigh Academy Dartford

The closest schools to DA1 1SQ, measured from each school's own location.

Help us keep this page accurate

Spotted something wrong?

Tell us what needs updating on Leigh Academy Dartford and we'll review it before the page changes.Last updated Autumn 2026.

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