Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy
Dartford, DA1 1QE · Kent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
41st of 99 secondary schools in Kent we can score, 103 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.7/10 against 836 of them, against 5.6/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 46.1 · 53 | 30% | 1.59 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.14 · 60 | 25% | 1.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.5 · 53 | 10% | 0.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 35.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.14 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,318 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific steps are taken to maintain the positive Progress 8 trend seen in 2023/24?
What Ofsted said about Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy
Overview
The Leigh Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils are proud of their community and enjoy strong friendships. Leaders maintain high expectations for behaviour and learning, fostering an environment where students feel safe, happy, and well-supported through high-quality pastoral care.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a curriculum designed to gradually increase knowledge, with "meaningful connections across different subjects" such as links between English and history.
- The school has invested significantly in reading, ensuring staff are knowledgeable and pupils receive quick support, leading to constant improvement in reading skills.
- Students have "exceptional opportunities" through a vast array of clubs, trips, and events, including university visits and national challenges.
- An "extremely well-thought-out ‘healthy minds’ programme" covers essential topics like mental health, relationships, and diversity, with pupils actively leading initiatives.
- Trust leaders and the local academy board provide effective support, offering a "sensible balance of challenge and support" to help the school strive for more.
Areas to improve
- Leaders need to further embed stronger teaching practices so that checking pupils’ understanding is "securely and consistently embedded" across every classroom.
- A minority of teachers do not yet use the most helpful strategies to support pupils’ individual needs, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as effectively as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a knowledgeable team ensuring pupils are safe through strong recruitment processes, regular training, and swift action on concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.5 |
| 2024/25 | 42.9 |
| 2025/26 | 46.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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