Leigh Academy Dartford Review 2026: Elite Performance in the Heart of Kent

The curriculum is delivered through the IB Primary Years Programme, which organises learning into six transdisciplinary themes. This means that while pupils cover the National Curriculum, they do so through Units of Inquiry that link subjects like history, science, and geography together. For example, a Year 4 unit on how the world works might combine scientific principles of electricity with historical perspectives on industrialisation.

Inspectors in 2025 described the curriculum as exceptionally ambitious and meticulously sequenced from Nursery through to Year 6. Teachers skilfully help pupils connect ideas from related topics in complex ways, encouraging a sophisticated vocabulary and deep subject knowledge. Specialist teaching is a feature even at this primary stage, with dedicated staff for Spanish and Music, ensuring that these subjects are taught with high levels of expertise.

Nursery Provision

The academy includes an on site nursery, Little Birds Nursery, which provides a foundation for the main school experience. The nursery environment is designed to mirror the inquiry led approach of the Primary Years Programme, focusing on learning through play and early communication skills. Children make a flying start as soon as they join, forming positive relationships and engaging in exciting learning that builds a secure foundation in reading and mathematics.

Sessions are structured into morning (8:30am to 11:30am) and afternoon (11:30am to 2:30pm) blocks. While many nursery children progress into the main school, a place in the nursery does not provide a guarantee of a Reception place. For nursery fee details and availability, visit the school website. Government funded hours are available for eligible families; parents should consult the national guide to nursery funding for eligibility criteria.

As an all ability primary academy within a large multi academy trust, transition to secondary school is a major focus of Year 6. Many pupils progress to other Leigh Academies Trust secondary sites in the Dartford and Wilmington area, such as Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy or Wilmington Academy. The shared trust curriculum means that secondary teachers often have a clear understanding of the academic background and inquiry skills that Dartford pupils bring with them.

For those pursuing the selective route in Kent, the school supports families through the 11 plus process (the Kent Test). Given the exceptionally high academic standards in the classroom, a significant number of pupils are typically deemed selective and secure places at local grammar schools, including Dartford Grammar School and Dartford Grammar School for Girls.

Securing a place at Leigh Academy Dartford is a significant challenge for local families. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 173 applications for just 90 Reception places. This makes the school heavily oversubscribed, with 1.92 applications per place applications for every available seat.

Admissions are coordinated by Kent County Council. Priority is given to looked after children, siblings of current pupils, and those with a health or special access requirement. Remaining places are then allocated based on proximity to the school. Families should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to understand their likelihood of entry compared to previous years.

The school operates a house system that encourages a sense of belonging across different year groups. This structure is used for both rewards and pastoral support, with older pupils often taking on Ambassador roles to mentor younger peers. The latest Ofsted inspection rated behaviour and attitudes as Outstanding, noting that classroom environments are calm and orderly, and pupils show the utmost kindness and respect towards their peers.

There is a dedicated Wellbeing Team that includes a Family Liaison Officer, providing a bridge between home and school life. This team supports families with everything from attendance concerns to emotional regulation for pupils. The school's Invisible Inclusion ethos ensures that all pupils, including those with SEND, are fully integrated into the life of the academy and receive tailored support to thrive.

The extracurricular offer at Leigh Academy Dartford is broad, aiming to develop the IB Learner Profile attributes such as being a risk taker or being balanced. The school offers a variety of clubs, including Gymnastics, Gardening, and various sports teams that compete in local Kent leagues.

STEM: Innovation and Inquiry

The academy has a particularly strong emphasis on STEM. Through its inquiry based model, pupils engage in hands on projects such as bridge building or coding simple robotics. This is not taught as a standalone subject but is woven into the inquiry units, allowing pupils to see the practical application of mathematics and science in the real world.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. The academy offers extensive wraparound care via a Breakfast Club at the St Albans Road site starting at 7:30am (£3.50 per day) and an After School Provision that operates until 6:00pm (£12.50 per session). On Wednesdays, the school has an early closure childcare option until 3:15pm for £5.00. For transport, the school is well served by local bus routes and is within walking distance of the town centre, though parking immediately outside the gates is restricted during drop off and pick up times.

Fees & Financial Aid

Leigh Academy Dartford is a state funded school, meaning there are no tuition fees for pupils from Reception to Year 6. As an academy, it is open to all local children regardless of financial background.

The primary costs for parents include school uniforms and the optional wraparound care mentioned in the Practical Information section. School meals at the Junior site are provided at a cost of £2.61 per day, while they are free for all Infant pupils. Families who may be eligible for Pupil Premium are encouraged to apply via the school website, as this provides the academy with additional funding to support the child's education and may assist with the costs of trips or clubs.

• Oversubscribed Status: With nearly two applications for every place, securing entry at the Reception stage is difficult. Parents living outside the immediate Dartford town centre vicinity may find it hard to secure a place based on distance alone.
• IB PYP Framework: The inquiry based curriculum is different from the traditional, textbook led approach found in some other state primaries. While it produces excellent results, families who prefer a more traditional style might find the IB approach a significant shift.
• Two Site Operation: The school operates across two sites (Infant and Junior), which requires careful coordination for parents with children in both phases, particularly regarding drop off and wraparound care locations.

Leigh Academy Dartford is a high performing, academically rigorous school that successfully implements the IB Primary Years Programme within a state funded setting. Its 2024 results are among the best in England, and its 2025 Outstanding Ofsted rating confirms it as a center of excellence. It best suits inquisitive, motivated children who will thrive in a curriculum that asks them to think globally. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist and track admissions deadlines.