| Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
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Green Street Green Road ,, DA1 1QE | |
| Coordinates | 51°26′13″N0°14′06″E / 51.437°N 0.235°E /51.437; 0.235 |
| Information | |
| Former names |
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| Type | Academy |
| Motto | Opening Minds to Success |
| Established | 2007; 18 years ago (2007) |
| Founder | Sir Geoffrey Leigh |
| Local authority | Kent |
| Trust | Leigh Academies Trust |
| Department for Education URN | 135297Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Principal | Julia Collins |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Age | 11 to 19 |
| Enrolment | 1,465[1] |
| Houses | Shakespeare Mandela |
| Website | www |
Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy (SGLA), formerly known asThe Leigh Academy, is named after its founding sponsor, Sir Geoffrey Leigh. The academy was renamed in September 2024 as part of a rebranding initiative by its governing body, the multi-academy trust known asLeigh Academies Trust. The trust'sCEO, Simon Beamish,[2] previously served as principal of The Leigh Academy, succeeding Frank Green.
Before its academisation in 2007, The Leigh Academy was known asLeigh City Technology College and heldCity Technology College status from 1997 to 2007. Prior to this, it was known asTheDowns School.
Dartford East Secondary Modern School was built in the 1930s as two schools for boys and girls on both sides of Green Street Green Road on East Hill in Dartford. The name was changed to the Downs Secondary Modern School for Boys, and the Downs Secondary Girls School and then simply The Downs. The girls school was rebuilt in the 1970s, by Howard Lobb and Partners for Kent County Council.[3] Greenstraete indicates the site of an overgrown Roman road.[4]
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.[5] In September 2007, The Leigh became an academy. In May 2013, the Academy's Ofsted ratings were reduced from outstanding to good.[6]
In January 2008 students and staff moved into the new school. The official opening of the academy took place on 20 June 2008, led byLord Coe.[7]
The academy is split into five colleges: Shakespeare, Seacole, Curie, Mandela and Attenborough. Each College has its own Head of College and Assistant Head of College.
The Leigh Academy is part ofLeigh Academies Trust.
