The Leigh UTC is a deliberate and bespoke institution, we believe the opportunities we provide for all stakeholders are in many respects unparalleled. Through our ethos we instill and maintain traditional values of behaviour whilst evolving our practice with the changing needs of our environment, both locally and internationally. We promote authenticity as individuals but by working in collaboration we can pioneer.
Our broad and balanced curriculum experience has additional focus on a STEM education with specialism in engineering and computing. Built around the IB philosophy, our approach to learning involves a wide inquiry-based curriculum which together with an exceptional, technical and academic education enables our students to develop important work-related skills. We work in partnership with high profile local and regional employers who will introduce our students to the world of work they can offer.
Our academy is designed to give all of our students the best chances of a successful and fulfilling future. We have structured our curriculum to create students who are self-motivated, competent, willing to take risks and become lifelong learners. Our relentless mission is to unleash potential in order to raise horizons, enabling the students for whom we work to become architects of their future.
The UTC will provide all of its students with the experiences, skills and values needed to properly prepare them for success at each stage of their future journey to secure careers within the globally competitive 21st century. We have already created, developed and fostered close working relationships with local, national and international businesses and industry specialists. Our committed engineering practitioners work alongside us to develop industryrelevant projects and problem-solving activities for our students that resonate in the real world. All of this work will be underpinned by the very successful UTC code of “THINK ACT PERFORM” which inspires and motivates our staff and students towards excellence in everything we do.
Our Key Stage 3 Inspiration Academy offers young people a safe and secure transition from primary to secondary education. We are delighted that you are curious enough to explore our creative, rigorous and demanding offer. We understand that choosing a secondary school is a very important decision, and the breadth of choice is very wide. I am looking forward to meeting you all during our open events and answering any questions.
By applying to The Leigh UTC, you also become part of Leigh Academies Trust.
The Trust was formed in 2008 with the linking of the Leigh Technology Academy and Longfield Academy under one governing body. Today, we encompass more than 20,000 students between the ages of 2 months and 19 in 33 primary, secondary and special academies including one all-through academy and one grammar school.
Developing STEM professionals for the future global market
Our Mission
Maximise students’ personal achievements by identifying their potential and embracing opportunities
Develop internationally-minded young people through mutually beneficial partnerships with business
Ensure quality teaching through team collaboration across the curriculum
Build an outstanding UTC team through continuous personal development and well-being
Professional Habits
Think: Respect – We will show respect in all aspects of what we do ensuring that our learners are openminded, caring and balanced.
Act: Relationships – We will actively work to develop and support a culture of balanced and reflective communication.
Perform: Responsibility – We will guide our learners and encourage them to take ownership of their own actions. We will guide them to develop into principled individuals who behave consistently
Our curriculum is delivered through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework and the development of the IB Learner Profile attributes. This promotes collaborative and co-curricular learning opportunities and is delivered within relevant and purposeful contexts. It is built upon prior learning, and is designed to be challenging, interesting and motivational to all pupils.
The IB Middle Years Programme Curriculum
Students in KS3 at the Inspiration Academy follow an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme with a particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This MYP STEM rich curriculum will provide all students with the experience, skills and values needed to prepare them properly for success at each stage of their future lives.
The Middle Years Programme is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathise with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.
The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
The MYP curriculum framework comprises eight subject groups, providing a broad and balanced education for years 7 to 9.
The mission of The Leigh UTC is to develop curious, academically skilled young people who aspire to be principled, compassionate learners. The Leigh UTC has a clear vision to be a distinctive education provider for outstanding STEM learning. We offer our students the experiences, skills and values that will prepare them not only for their examinations, but also for career pathways and global competition in the 21st century. We do things a little differently to normal schools or colleges because we believe the best and most effective way to educate our students is to always make our teaching more hands-on. Our curriculum strives to create students who are self-motivated, competent, willing to take risks and become lifelong learners.
To realise our ambition, 8 key principles have been developed which provide the foundation for the distinctive approach to learning that the UTC will provide and develop.
An innovative employer / HE focussed curriculum that specifically reflects the diversity of engineering & computing skills required in the businesses of our partners, both locally and Internationally.
A local, national and International reputation for technical excellence in STEM education.
Provide an exciting and vibrant environment where students are enthused and motivated through the relevance of all of their learning in their future adult lives.
Develop a comprehensive approach to online learning to complement traditional methods so that no child is left behind utilising new technologies and ability to measure its impact.
Develop young STEM female and male pupils with the aspirations, passion and talent to be successful in their career choices through the provision of a high-quality technical education and careers guidance.
Ensure that the most able students can proceed to top universities to follow scientific and engineering courses.
Promote and develop community regeneration, including encouraging engineering and IT development companies to the area.
Secure high aspirations for young people through the provision of a comprehensive ‘world-class’ high-quality technical education.
Since opening in 2014 both staff and students have worked passionately to create a centre of excellence for technical qualifications. Our STEM rich curriculum provides all students with the experience, skills and values needed to prepare them properly for success at each stage of their future lives.
As an IB World School our philosophy is a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision. The Middle Years Programme is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world.
The MYP aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathise with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning. The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is designed to deliver innovative learning and teaching that excites and stretches all of our students. Both the core and optional GCSE programmes offer opportunities across the ability range to make sure students benefit from the most appropriate teaching and support. Between the ages of 14 and 16 students will study for a Technical Award. This qualification is the initial step on the BTEC ladder of modular courses that focus on learning in a practical way and which lead on to employment, Apprenticeships, further education and university.
All students in Post 16 study one of our three programme pathways with Engineering, Business Studies or Computer Science at Level 3 along with a range of other options; Technical, Academic or Professional. Our ‘professional’ International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) pathway prepares students for the world of work as well as developing their individual personal qualities. The IBCP is an innovative education pathway that offers a flexible blend of academic and career-related studies. It is a coherent programme that allows schools to create their own distinct offering to reflect the needs, backgrounds, ambitions and learning contexts of their particular students. The programme is an option for students to undertake at Post 16, and aims to develop applicable, transferable lifelong skills that prepare them for higher education, higher level apprenticeships or employment. Our Post 16 Academic route comprises ‘A’ levels across STEM subjects for those wishing to develop their skills specifically for higher education.
The Technical Baccalaureate (Tech Bacc) programme, alongside the new T Level route, places a greater emphasis on technical skills, over academic skills. It also encourages greater employer responsibility to support students through contextualised projects and extended work placements, with an increased aim to develop employability skills.
Central to the Academy’s success in raising student attainment levels will be:
A strong leadership team;
Regular celebration of student achievements;
Close links with parents and increased community support;
Effective use of student data;
An innovative curriculum;
Excellent care, guidance and targeted support for students; and
High expectations for all.
For students, the availability of high-quality learning materials in and out of the classroom and accessible from home is a key factor in maintaining high levels of attainment. These materials enable students to work at an independent pace and allow for different learning styles.
For more information on our curriculum, please visit our dedicated page.
We strongly believe in an inclusive education for all students. The first response to support students with special educational needs is high quality and inclusive teaching, appropriately differentiated for all.
At The Leigh UTC we have high expectations of all our students to ensure they all make progress. Our teachers are well trained to support our students both academically and pastorally. This combined with support from our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) ensures students achieve their full potential.
The role of a parent is crucial to the success of our students and we like to receive their input regularly.
While we run an ‘open door’ policy, there will also be organised parents’ information evenings to exchange views.
Safeguarding
At The Leigh UTC all staff and volunteers have a duty to keep students safe and to protect them. They must feel able to raise issues of concern and everyone must fully recognise their duty to do so, particularly in terms of child protection.
All adults engaged within The Leigh UTC have a role to play. There are notices around The Leigh UTC and on our website with information about our safeguarding team.
A Head Start on Your Chosen Career
The Leigh UTC is a successful and inspiring school located in Dartford. Our school is a place where everyone works collaboratively to prepare students for the 21st century economy. We believe that every student can be successful if they aspire to greatness, are part of a professional environment and are empowered to get the right qualifications.
Our curriculum focuses on computing and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects as skills in these areas are and will continue to be in high demand. Post-qualification, we support students to follow the route that is right for them, whether that is an apprenticeship, university or something else.
We expect professional standards from our students in keeping with our close links to the business community. In exchange, we offer a small, close-knit community where staff tailor the support provided to meet the needs and aspirations of individual students.
We do Things Differently at The Leigh UTC
The mission of The Leigh UTC is to develop curious, academically skilled young people who aspire to be principled, compassionate learners.
The Leigh UTC has a clear vision to be a distinctive education provider for outstanding STEM learning.
We offer our students the experiences, skills and values that will prepare them not only for their examinations, but also for career pathways and global competition in the 21st century.
We do things a little differently to other schools or colleges because we believe the best and most effective way to educate our students is to always make our teaching more hands-on and contextualised.
Our curriculum strives to create students who are self-motivated, competent, willing to take risks and lifelong learners.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The innovative learning environment that we provide is often the first impression, but our culture remains the lasting impression.
Walk into The Leigh UTC and students will be dazzled by its modern look and the state-of-the-art technology and computers it features.
It feels more like a sophisticated, hi-tech workplace than a college or school – because all of our equipment is industry standard.
So what students use in The Leigh UTC is exactly what they would use in one of our industry partners’ workplaces.
Your Learning Options
Core and Optional GCSEs
Our Key Stage 4 curriculum is designed to deliver innovative learning and teaching that excites and stretches all of our students. Both the core and optional GCSE programmes offer opportunities across the ability range to make sure students benefit from the most appropriate teaching and support.
As well as studying a core curriculum, students choose from a number of options which can include technical qualifications.
Core Subjects
English (Language and Literature)
Mathematics
Separate Sciences
Physical Education
GCSE Options
Art & Design
Business
Computer Science
Design & Technology (DT, Food)
Digital IT
Electronics
Engineering
Finance
German
Graphics
History
PE
Statistics
Incredible Opportunity to Specialise
The Leigh UTC, a successful and inspiring University Technical College. Our Sixth Form offers the chance to tailor studies to fit into individual interests, abilities and ambitions.
All the students need to do is determine which specialism to take – business, computer science or engineering and then decide what additional subjects to take alongside this such as A-levels, IBCP, T-Levels and professional qualifications.
Our close business relationships ensure our students learn the skills required to succeed with regard to higher education, apprenticeships and employment. I am convinced a UTC education will give each student a headstart on whichever career path they choose.
Our college feels more like a workplace than a school offering access to the very latest technology, all sharing a similar passion to succeed.
I do hope you see that joining The Leigh UTC can be the start of an enjoyable and incredible journey that helps you reach your full potential.
Careers & Destinations
The Leigh UTC staff, including the Principal and governors, are committed to the careers learning and professional development of all students attending the academy.
We ensure students have access to many meaningful encounters with employers, through talks, visits and events as well as experiences of various workplaces. In every key stage, career entry routes are fully explored and explained, including apprenticeships and further education opportunities.
As a STEM specialist provider, STEM industries are introduced to students from year 7 through to Post 16. Through our embedded curriculum, there is rich motivation to encourage the work-readiness of students, building up the necessary skills and attributes to succeed in work and life.
The academy is committed to continuing with the Quality in Careers Standard, as a full award-holder with Investors in Careers.
We offer you an incredible opportunity to specialise in computer sciences or engineering in a state-of the-art facility that is the envy of the elite universities across the UK.
Open Days and Tours
September 2025 Intake
We cannot wait to show you around Ebbsfleet Academy. Coming for a tour will enable you to see learning in action and ask any questions you may have.
More information on our Open Events and Tours of our Year 7 classes will be added soon, check back later.
We have put some small files on your device called cookies. These files make our site work properly. We would also like to put analytics cookies on your device. These cookies will send us information on how our website is used to help us improve your experience. Please let us know if you agree to all of these cookies.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
