The Leigh Academy
Green Street Green Road, Dartford, DA1 1QE
Age range
11 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
1335
Headteacher
Miss Rebecca Roberts
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Kent
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
About The Leigh Academy
The Leigh Academy is a secondary school in Dartford for children aged 11 to 19, teaching boys and girls. Around 1335 pupils are on roll. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Kent coordinates offers. The school has its own sixth form for post-16 study. The headteacher is Miss Rebecca Roberts.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated The Leigh Academy Good at its inspection on 26 April 2023. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
At A level the published average grade is C (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 92.0% (absence 8.0%) (2024/25). Around 29.3% 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 The Leigh Academy
You apply for a place at The Leigh Academy on the secondary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 31 October. If the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated on its published admissions criteria, which usually give priority to looked-after children, siblings and distance from home to school. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
The Leigh Academy is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Speech, language and communication, Hearing impairment. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 16; HI - Hearing Impairment; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
The Leigh Academy contact details and location
The Leigh Academy is at Green Street Green Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE. The school office can be reached on 01322 620400. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.
The Leigh Academy admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
The Leigh Academy 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. Apply on the common application form (September-31 October)
Complete the Secondary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website. Kent residents can list up to 4 schools in preference order.
2. National Offer Day (1 March)
You'll be told your allocated school by email.
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 - the school's admissions authority handles this.
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 The Leigh Academy 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 offerThe Leigh Academy results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at The Leigh Academy
SEND setting
Mainstream school with resourced provision
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 16; HI - Hearing Impairment; SLCN - Speech, language and Communication
Specialisms
- Speech
- language and communication
- Hearing impairment
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at The Leigh Academy
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
The Leigh Academy term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
The Leigh Academy: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at The Leigh Academy?
Apply through Kent on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming The Leigh Academy as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is The Leigh Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated The Leigh Academy Good at its inspection on 26 April 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does The Leigh Academy offer?
The Leigh Academy is recorded as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need include Speech, language and communication, Hearing impairment. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are The Leigh Academy's term dates and INSET days?
The Leigh Academy follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is The Leigh Academy and how do I contact the school?
The Leigh Academy is at Green Street Green Road, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1QE. The office number is 01322 620400. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is The Leigh Academy and what ages does it take?
The Leigh Academy has around 1335 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 19. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
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Get my profile builtSchools near The Leigh Academy
The closest schools to DA1 1QE, measured from each school's own location.
Dartford · Secondary · 0.9 miles
Stone Lodge School
Dartford · Grammar · 1.4 miles
Dartford Grammar School
Dartford · Secondary · 1.4 miles
Dartford Science & Technology College
Dartford · Grammar · 1.4 miles
Dartford Grammar School for Girls
Dartford · Grammar · 1.9 miles
Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
Dartford · Grammar · 1.9 miles
Wilmington Grammar School for Girls
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