Following news about Leigh Academy Dartford and Longfield Academy, it has now been revealed that a third Leigh Academy, The Leigh UTC in Dartford, will join them at this summer’s King’s Garden Party for Educational Excellence.
The Leigh UTC opened in September 2014 and its current Principal, only the second in its history, Kevin Watson, has held the position since September 2022. It holds an “outstanding” grade for its sixth form from Ofsted and was the highest performing school in Kent and Medway for post-16 applied general programmes in 2024. It is also in the 20% of all UTCs nationally for performance at GCSE.
Like all UTCs, Leigh has a STEM-focused curriculum, but unlike many, offers places for students from years 7 through to 13. Its curriculum has several innovative features, including a wide range of T levels in the sixth form in which students achieved an average of a Distinction* grade in 2024. It also offers the National Curriculum at Key Stage 3 within the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.
Since its inception, The Leigh UTC has developed a range of valuable partnerships with business to enhance opportunities for its students. This includes Google, Amazon, Alcatel, F1, FM Conway and Kenard Engineering. This supports its mission to ensure its students, from a range of backgrounds, go on to achieve excellent destinations, particularly in the fields of engineering and computing.
