PROSPECTUS 2018/19 SHAPING LIVES, TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES 2018 Celebrating 10 Years of Leigh Academies Trust

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PROSPECTUS 2018/19 SHAPING LIVES, TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES 2018 Celebrating 10 years of Leigh Academies Trust

2 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Welcome to Leigh Academies Trust

Welcome to our Our clusters contain all phases of education, they live as children and will continue as Trust Prospectus from nursery to post-16. Each one has a adults, so that the life chances of future for 2018-19. passionate commitment to inclusion. For generations are enhanced by a strong Please take example, Milestone Academy, in our North- legacy handed down from those who have time to browse West Kent Cluster, is one of the region’s gone before them. through these largest special schools. Across many of our pages, which will mainstream academies, both primary and If you are interested to find out more about give you a sense secondary, we have designated centres for us, please do get in contact. Whether you of what Leigh children with special educational needs. are a current or prospective parent of a Academies Trust child in one of our academies, an employer does. We are Our academies are like siblings, not clones. keen to forge links with schools, a member already one of the country’s most successful We believe that innovation, creativity and of the community interested in becoming multi-academy trusts. We are incredibly empowerment are vital. These qualities a governor, a potential employee or an proud of our achievements – we hope you cannot thrive in an environment where educational establishment interested in will see why. everyone is forced to do the same thing. partnership with an already-successful However, like all siblings, our academies multi-academy trust, we would like We are developing ‘clusters’ of academies share certain core values and ways of to hear from you. along the South Thames Corridor, an area operating. You can learn more about the of significant industrial and residential things our academies share in common over development in the South-East of England. the next few pages. Each cluster is no more than a thirty- minute drive from end to end. Geography More than anything, we are about shaping is important to ensure strong collaboration. children’s lives for the better through high- So too is our continuous planned and quality education and care. In doing so, we Simon Beamish measured approach to further growth. aim to transform the communities in which Chief Executive

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 3 Our mission, values and vision

Vision: LAT EXCELLENCE CHARTER

1) We will provide outstanding leadership and governance at every level so that all pupils attend an academy judged to be at least good overall by Ofsted.

2) We will ensure a rich, engaging and inclusive curriculum with effective teaching and high-quality learning resources across all subjects and year groups.

3) Regardless of their ability or personal circumstances we will ensure that all groups of pupils make at least good progress and diminish differences in their attainment.

4) We will develop pupils’ characters and attributes in line Mission: with the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile so that all LAT alumni obtain a collection of desirable Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities qualities before they leave school.

5) We will ensure that pupils are well-behaved, confident Values: and respectful in a safe and secure environment. We care – about our pupils We work together – as one through our human-scale team in the belief that we 6) We will ensure a high-quality workforce and prioritise approach to education, our are greater than the sum staff retention, professional development and well- staff and their well-being of our parts. We foster an being. and the communities that enterprising culture through we serve, driven by our high collaboration and in close 7) Through our “Business Promise” we will guarantee strong ideals and strong moral partnership with industry engagement for all pupils with industry and employers. values. and other educators. 8) We will provide all pupils with a high-quality careers We have boundless We keep getting better – learning programme. ambition – to achieve using our ‘can-do’ attitude excellence for all and create towards continuous 9) We will grow to support more schools in the region so confident young adults with improvement and that our pupils and theirs benefit and that standards high levels of resilience and innovation. improve across the board. integrity. 10) We will work with our own and other primaries to ensure smooth transition to our secondary academies.

4 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Our founders

Sir Geoffrey Leigh Bob Findlay Founding sponsor Chairman

The Leigh City Technology College (CTC) opened in 1990 as Bob Findlay was born in Canada, but has lived in the UK one of the original 15 city technology colleges, through the since 1965. He joined Morgan-Grampian in 1969 and later generous personal sponsorship of Sir Geoffrey Leigh. became Managing Director of its main operating subsidiary He became the first Chairman of the College in 1990 and and a Director of the public holding company. In 1974, he retired in 2006. left Morgan-Grampian to start Findlay Publications.

When the CTC was first formed, Sir Geoffrey was Chairman A strong desire to help address manufacturing’s greatest and Managing Director of Allied London Properties PLC, constraint, its skills shortage, through persuading young a company quoted on the Stock Exchange and engaged people to pursue careers in engineering, led him in 1989 to in the development of commercial, industrial and office donate £400,000 and lead a £1.6 million project developing buildings and housebuilding. Through his charitable work new curriculum programmes for the fledgling City in education, business and health, both in the private and Technology Colleges Trust. Concurrently, he helped found public sectors, he has helped organisations to grow, to and build the Kent TEC into a £30million success, delivering become more effective and to raise large sums of money government-training programmes. In 2006, he became for the benefit of their communities and the country. Chair of Governors at The Leigh City Technology College in Dartford which, together with Longfield Academy, became Leigh Academies Trust in 2008.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 5 Our academies 9 8 1 secondary primary special academies academies academy

South-East London cluster

STATIONERS’ CROWN WOODS ACADEMY

Medway cluster

North-West Central Kent Forthcoming Bearsted Kent cluster academies Primary Academy Aspire Believe Achieve cluster

eh e Top o l il Oaks

e s l Leigh

r M

T P

y y y

P r r Snowfields y Hartley i i Academy r i m m m m Academy Primary Academy m m e e a e ar d ar d ry ad y Aca y Aca Rainham Dartford Ac Primary Academy

6 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 From small beginnings...

The Trust was formed in 2008, when All of our current academies can be When this project is finished, our The Leigh Technology Academy and accessed within a one-hour drive of one clusters will include around ten schools, Longfield Academy were linked under another. We want to keep it this way by serving approximately 6,000 students one governing body. It currently developing self-improving ‘clusters’ of from ages 2-19, all with a highly- encompasses more than 12,000 academies across the south-east. inclusive approach to education. They students, between the ages of 2 and The first cluster was in North-West Kent, will be strong and confident groupings 19, in eighteen primary, secondary and centred around Dartford, and is almost with their own identities, but which special academies. complete. The other three existing subscribe to the core values and clusters are in South-East London distinctive features of the Trust. Each South-East The latest addition is Leigh Academy (Greenwich and Bexley), Central Kent cluster has its own team of principals London Blackheath, which opened in September (between Maidstone and Tonbridge) who report directly to the Chief cluster 2018 as a brand-new secondary and Medway. Executive of the Trust. free school in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Three further free schools are scheduled to open in 2020.

The Trust has chosen to remain local and to grow in a measured way across neighbouring boroughs and county boundaries. We believe that managerial freedom for effective leaders produces innovation and creativity. We offer our best leaders the chance to improve the lives of even more children, or what we call ‘earned opportunity’.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 7 Primary education

The Trust is strongly committed to possible. Our secondary academies Wherever possible, our primary primary education. A successful often allow preferential access under academies have their own nurseries. primary education generally leads to their admissions arrangements for Currently, the Trust has eight nurseries, a successful life afterwards. If things students attending our LAT primary but this is likely to grow over the next go wrong in primary school, some academies. eighteen months. This helps us to children never recover. get children’s development off to a Our governing bodies are also linked. successful start from the moment they Our aim is for all our primaries to be Whilst primary academies all have enter formal education. linked to a nearby secondary academy. their own development groups, they Strong collaboration is encouraged are governed by an Academy Board, from the outset to provide additional which brings together primary and ‘I was delighted to see that opportunities for staff and students. secondary governors around one table. Hartley Primary Academy These links help to break down the This enables governors to understand artificial divide between the primary the process of education from age 2 has been judged to be and secondary phases, so that through to 19 and is a powerful driver ‘outstanding’ in all areas by students’ transition is as smooth as of collaboration between phases. Ofsted.’ Dominic Herrington, Regional Schools‘ Commissioner

8 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Secondary education Our secondary academies are organised around a ‘human-scale’ education model in which each academy is organised into smaller college units with 350-500 students in each.

Our secondary-age students enjoy a business-mentoring scheme and work placements and we run advanced apprenticeship qualifications in engineering and computing.

We have enjoyed much academic success at secondary level. Despite the fact that most of our secondaries are high schools which operate in selective areas, our results are well above national averages. This is in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of our talented team of The Trust has nine secondary with industry and university partners well-trained staff. Our students leave academies, one of which is a University to create work-based opportunities school well qualified, ready to take Technical College (UTC). Most of for young people aged 14-19. In 2018 their next steps into work, training or its schools have benefitted from it developed the UK’s first 11-14 UTC further study. significant rebuilding programmes extension to meet the considerable over the last decade and enjoy demand for access to this specialist splendid, new, state-of-the-art learning environment. facilities for learning. Environments are technology-rich, flexible and We believe in fostering welcoming. Academy staff take a entrepreneurship in our students. That business-like, yet caring, approach to is why we have developed our own achieve successful outcomes for young initiative, “LAT Working With Business”, people. across all academies, to link our schools firmly into the world of work. The Leigh UTC is a unique secondary school specialising in engineering and computing. It works very closely

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 9 Special education

The Trust is committed to inclusion Trust’s other mainstream academies. It conjunction with pupils from the host and to creating opportunities for also gives much in return through its academy. This improves confidence all students, regardless of their highly- talented, knowledgeable and and independence by allowing circumstances. In fact, one of our core skilled group of staff. them to access different learning values is to remove barriers to success, environments. whatever they might be. In 2014, Milestone Academy developed an off-site, post-16 satellite Leigh Academies Trust also has ten Milestone Academy joined the Trust provision at Wilmington Academy. designated special provisions within in 2012. It is one of the largest special Since then, further ‘satellite’ provisions existing mainstream academies for schools in the region and was again for primary and secondary-age pupils students with Education and Health rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2016. have been developed at Dartford Care Plans. The Trust therefore has It has around 350 young people from Primary and The Leigh Academy. considerable expertise in special ages 2-19 with profound and multiple educational needs, including speech, learning needs. Milestone benefits Through these satellites pupils enjoy communication and language needs; hugely from its interaction with the enhanced opportunities to learn in hearing impairment; autistic-spectrum disorders; visual impairment; and moderate learning difficulties.

In 2020 the Trust will open a new secondary special academy, Snowfields Academy, near junction 7 of the M20. This will support students with a primary autistic spectrum disorder need.

‘Milestone continues to be Outstanding. The strategic influence of Leigh Academies Trust has had a significant impact on the culture at the school.’

Ofsted, April 2016

10 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Post-16 education

Leigh Academies Trust’s post-16 (LAT16) offer comprises six campuses in Kent and Medway: The Leigh Academy, The Leigh UTC, Longfield Academy, Mascalls Academy, Strood Academy, and Wilmington Academy. In addition, LAT offers further post-16 campuses at Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy and The Halley Academy in Greenwich. A large number of LAT16 students progress on to These provisions enable students to study for a wide range university, including Russell Group universities, with of subjects and qualifications, including A Level and BTEC others taking jobs and apprenticeships in fields such as national exams. engineering, accountancy, medicine and leisure. Find out more at www.lat16.org.uk. Building upon our success and as part of our ongoing commitment to delivering an outstanding educational experience to our post-16 students, Wilmington, The Leigh and The Leigh UTC have become accredited International LAT16 students have access to a wide range of Baccalaureate World Schools, delivering the International opportunities: Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP) from • Appropriate range of academic and vocational September 2017. Strood and The Halley Academies are also courses; on track to adopt the IBCP in September 2019. • Flexible learning programmes; • Development of skills and attitudes prized by The IBCP core curriculum is fundamental to the development employers; of students academically, personally and socially, combining • State-of-the-art facilities; the skills valued by employers with excellent qualifications. • 24/7 learning; • Enrichment and work-related learning experiences; A flexible post-16 programme, it is offered in 17 countries • Excellent employer and university links; around the world and combines academic, vocational and practical learning skills. • Bespoke pastoral programmes; • Personalised support, mentoring and guidance. In addition the Trust has become the first to offer both Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeships. Currently these are available at The Leigh UTC in engineering, but in the future Through our LAT Working With Business initiative and will be expanded to other academies offering programmes careers service, all academies work closely with a wide range within computer technology, catering, digital media and of businesses, universities and other organisations to ensure sports/fitness. Milestone Academy also provides access to that our students have the opportunities and advice they supported apprenticeships for its pupils. need to follow their chosen path.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 11 Opportunities for teaching staff

Our annual conference, held each year The Trust has also introduced its own in February, brings together teachers recruitment and retention bonuses to from across the Trust for a day of high- enable it to compete for the very best quality training. Each day includes teachers. an address from the Chief Executive, followed by workshops run by our own We are committed to high-quality staff and trusted external facilitators. training for all teachers. The Trust leads Kent and Medway Training (KMT), Leigh Academies Trust has its which trains 170 teachers every year. own pay scale for teachers, which More than 60% of these were judged enables annual progression based to be ‘outstanding’ by the University on good performance. Activity and of Brighton in 2018. Many of these development allowances enable trainees choose to start their careers in academy leaders to recognise the best LAT academies. teachers and to provide enhanced responsibilities and salaries.

Leigh Academies Trust is proud to attract the best, most highly-qualified and dedicated teachers to its staff and is committed to offering excellent career paths and opportunities to those seeking this environment.

12 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Kent and Medway Training

KMT is an established school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) provider of 23 years. LAT is the single legal entity for KMT, which works with a large consortium of secondary and primary schools within Kent, Medway and South-East London. LAT has played an integral role in the rapid and sustained growth of KMT. It consistently outperforms the national trends for training the future generation of teachers.

In the current year KMT will be training in excess of 170 new teachers across primary, secondary and special phases.

KMT trainee teachers are highly qualified, dedicated, enthusiastic, creative, resilient and highly motivated to succeed.

LAT academies benefit greatly from the three routes into teaching offered by KMT, whose aim is to recruit, train, employ and retain outstanding teachers for partnership schools and the surrounding area.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 13 Opportunities for leaders

The Trust holds Principal and Senior Leadership Forums as well as Leadership Twilights six times per year, bringing together all key executives from across the Trust to share best practice, address challenges and contribute to Trust development.

In addition, the Trust runs its own leadership programmes to develop its best aspiring leaders for senior roles in conjunction with Ambition School Leadership. This includes the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership (NPQML), National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) and National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

Middle leaders collaborate strongly across our academies, with regular opportunities to meet and share good ideas with like-minded colleagues. It is quite normal for staff to The Trust believes in a ‘grow-your- own’ philosophy of leadership. We are gain promotion between our fortunate to have a large number of academies as they develop highly-talented staff and work hard their careers and take on to create opportunities for career new challenges. progression within and across our academies. Retention rates amongst leaders are very high, typically above 95% annually.

14 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 A culture of improvement

All Trust academies enjoy high-quality All academies within the Trust The Trust has an effective programme support in a range of educational and experience regular modular reviews of biennial peer review for its ‘back-office’ services. This includes with an Executive Principal or academies. This brings together human resources, recruitment, Executive Director. This enables full trained external inspectors and marketing, finance, IT, estates discussion and accountability in all academy senior staff and provides management and procurement and educational improvement matters at excellent training for our leaders, support is highly responsive and least six times per year. as well as robust challenge for our tailored to the needs of individual academies. academies. It allows the Trust to access We also operate an Academy best value and more efficient ways of Challenge Partners initiative, putting supporting academies to deliver these our academy leaders together with services to the standard they demand. tried and trusted experts as they move towards excellence. In addition, the Trust has developed a range of educational-support services for its academies. This includes the Academy Improvement Team, a highly-skilled and experienced team of Directors of Improvement and Improvement Co-ordinators, both primary and secondary, who provide support and challenge across a range of subjects and phases.

The Trust also recognises the importance of a range of other educational services to support academies to meet the needs of their young people. That is why we have also developed our own Inclusive Services Team and Engagement Team, who work across the Trust, by providing educational psychology, attendance and welfare, careers advice and business-mentoring services.

from left to right: Educational psychologists, Jo-Anne Buttle, Ryan Cullen, Lucy Robertson, Rajinder Sodhi

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 15 Ofsted ratings

Joined September 2008 Joined September 2008 Joined September 2010 Joined April 2012 Last inspected: December 2017 Last inspected: April 2018 Last inspected: March 2017 Last inspected: March 2018

GOOD with GOOD with GOOD GOOD OUTSTANDING Post-16 OUTSTANDING leadership

GOOD SATISFACTORY INADEQUATE INADEQUATE

Academy

Joined September 2012 Joined June 2013 Opened by LAT September 2014 Joined September 2014 Last inspected: April 2016 Last inspected: March 2016 Last inspected: March 2017 Last inspected: July 2017

GOOD with OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING GOOD OUTSTANDING leadership

OUTSTANDING GOOD NOT YET INSPECTED GOOD

Aspire Believe Achieve Joined March 2015 Joined March 2015 Joined September 2015 Joined January 2017 last inspected: May 2017 last inspected: February 2018 last inspected: November 2016 last inspected: February 2017

REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT with GOOD GOOD GOOD GOOD leadership and PDBW

INADEQUATE INADEQUATE GOOD GOOD

16 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Latest Ofsted grade Ofsted grade on joining the Trust Eastcote A Primary Academy s ve pir o e, Learn, L Joined March 2015 Joined February 2016 Opened by LAT September 2016 Opened by LAT September 2017 Last inspected: March 2014 Last inspected: July 2018

GOOD NOT YET INSPECTED Awaiting Section 5 judgement for NOT YET INSPECTED NOT YET INSPECTED possible conversion to Outstanding.

GOOD GOOD NOT YET INSPECTED NOT YET INSPECTED

Joined April 2018 Opened by LAT September 2018

NOT YET INSPECTED NOT YET INSPECTED

All 2 5 All LAT academies inspected by academies academies are secondary academies are Ofsted since joining the are graded ‘outstanding’ graded ‘outstanding’ graded ‘good’ or better by Trust have improved overall by Ofsted in leadership Ofsted by Ofsted

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 17 Results 2018

Primary Secondary

% of children achieving a good % of pupils who achieve 9-4 in level of development in the early English at GCSE years (national average = 69%) 76% (national average = 65%) 70%

% of children who pass the phonics % of pupils who achieve 9-4 in test in Year 1 maths at GCSE (national average = 81%) 83% (national average = 60%) 63%

% of children who achieve national % of pupils who achieve 9-4 in standard at Key Stage 2 in reading two sciences at GCSE (national average = 71%) 70% (national average = 48%) 57%

% of children who achieve national Average academic grade at standard at Key Stage 2 in writing A Level (national average = 76%) 82% (national average = C) C-

% of children who achieve national Average applied general grade standard at Key Stage 2 in maths at A level Merit+ (national average = 75%) 74%

% of children who achieve Average technical level grade at ‘combined’ national standard at A Level Key Stage 2 66% Distinction- (national average = 61%)

18 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Governance

High-quality governance is central to Where appropriate, this may cover two the success of LAT. Governors at all or more academies to ensure that the levels, work in partnership as critical Trust’s vision for seamless ‘all-through’ friends with Trust and academy leaders, education is realised. enhancing continuously the standards of achievement, progress and welfare For each primary academy, a provision for all pupils. Development Group meets three times a year and provides more specialist Our governors are drawn from oversight to support the work of the a wide range of backgrounds, Academy Board. We encourage our ‘The academy trust and bringing with them a diverse set of governors to become involved in the governors work together skills and knowledge that enriches wider life of the academies and to and strengthens the work of each challenge and support them to reach extremely effectively. governance team. new heights. In their role governors They play a pivotal role in often take responsibility for monitoring ensuring that the school is an Each new governor is provided with a key aspect of the work of the increasingly vibrant place for an initial induction to ensure they academy such as safeguarding, finance, are equipped to contribute fully to SEND or academic progress. work-focused STEM learning.’ their board. Information, training and The Leigh UTC, Ofsted February 2017 support is provided throughout the year so that every governor is aware of Members the latest initiatives, policy and news.

The Trust Board considers the vision of Audit the Trust, as well as strategy and policy, Committee Resources enabling it to deliver its key objectives. Trust Board Committee Representation by Academy Board Academic Chairs on the Trust Board ensure a close Standards Committee link between the Board’s work and that of the academies.

Stationers’ Leigh Maidstone Strood Wilmington Milestone The Leigh Longfield The Halley Mascalls The Leigh Crown Woods Academy Primary Academy Boards meet Academy Academy Academy Academies Academies Academy Academy UTC Board Academies Blackheath Academies Board Board Board Board Board Board Board four times per year and are Board Board Board responsible for the day-to- day management and Cherry Orchard Dartford Hartley Eastcote Molehill Tree Tops Langley Oaks Primary Primary Primary Primary Primary Primary Primary Park Primary governance of academies. Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy Development Development Development Development Development Development Development Development Group Group Group Group Group Group Group Group

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 19 LAT Engagement Team

Leigh Academies Trust values Raising aspirations through transformative experiences • convert careers information into partnerships with local businesses for personal career understanding; mutual gain. We are passionate that • recognise the impact of influences each and every student within the from family, friends and peers; Trust should benefit from significant business engagement to prepare • access appropriate experiences them for their future after leaving with employers, education and education. Understanding how the training providers; world of employment works and the • access mentors and work-related key skills needed to be successful, over activities; and above academic qualifications, encourages our students to strive to • access group and one-to-one students, with a range of inspirational achieve. guidance; events throughout the academic • make informed choices; and year. These included visits to the Our valued business partnerships Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, • learn how to present themselves take many forms and include business West End theatre trips, monthly appropriately for employment and mentoring, visits to workplaces, skills-development workshops with further/higher education. presentations within our academies, high-tariff universities, an insight day projects for students, work experience at St. George’s University of London and much more. Leigh Academies Trust Medical School and the opportunity LAT Alumni is proud to be developing its own LAT to participate in a PhD-led academic Working With Business initiative. Leigh Academies Trust highly values enrichment programme, proven to the opportunity to keep in touch with impact student outcomes positively. Leigh Aspire former students. We are keen to foster a thriving community of ex-students Launched in September 2017, the Career learning who can bring their expertise back into Leigh Aspire programme provides their academy for the benefit of current cultural and academic enrichment All LAT pupils have the opportunity to students. opportunities for all our students. access careers professionals, employed By building knowledge and skills by LAT via the career learning service. Utilising academy Linkedin pages gives beyond the curriculum, the aim is to The LAT career learning strategy ex-students an excellent opportunity raise both attainment and aspiration, provides planned, progressive to network with old friends as well as to and to provide our brightest pupils experiences for all pupils, enabling keep up to date with all the news and with access to the country’s top them to develop lifelong career- events from their academy. universities, including the Russell management capabilities. Specifically, Group and Oxbridge. In its first year, pupils will: All LAT’s current secondary academies the programme specifically focussed • learn about themselves and the and Milestone Academy have search- on our most-able Year 9 and Year 12 opportunities available; enabled pages for use by our alumni.

20 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 LAT Enterprises

LAT Enterprises exists solely to raise income to enhance the The company operates across each academy within Leigh education of the students within Leigh Academies Trust. Academies Trust under the direction of the Trust Business Director. LAT Enterprises welcomes approaches from LAT Enterprises is able to offer for hire by external users organisations willing to work in partnership. Contact details a variety of venues, including lecture theatres, theatrical can be found on the website. LAT Enterprises is a wholly- space, boardrooms, halls, a hydrotherapy pool, sports halls, owned subsidiary of Leigh Academies Trust. classrooms, fields, floodlit artificial playing surfaces, tennis courts and much more. Find out more at www.latenterprises.org.uk. Each building is unique, offering different opportunities, and our services range from simple space hirings for meetings or sport to fully-serviced events. With many repeat clients, who have benefitted from our venues for years, we know it’s about establishing relationships.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 21 Academy Improvement Strategy

Academies that are open and honest 3. We expect all leaders to build and The LAT Academy Improvement about their strengths and weaknesses sustain the Academy Improvement Strategy identifies a set of agreed have the best chance of further Strategy. educational practices adopted by improvement because their self- 4. We do not standardise educational all to ensure that no academy ever evaluations are accurate, evidence- practices to the detriment of falls below an acceptable minimum based and forward-thinking. excellence, collaboration and standard, as defined by the LAT innovation. We encourage leaders Excellence Charter and as Ofsted ‘good’. The principal goal of the Academy to allow staff to take calculated Beyond a full adoption of these agreed Improvement Strategy is to achieve risks in a ‘no blame’ culture. educational practices, LAT academies better outcomes and more consistent are free to innovate in order to achievement for the maximum number 5. We afford a level of earned achieve the higher standard of Ofsted of pupils. It is underpinned by the autonomy and management ‘outstanding’. following principles: freedom to effective leaders. It fosters a culture where leaders 1. We recognise the important role support others to improve. of Principals in their own academy and in shaping Trust policy to drive new educational practices that raise standards and challenge educational orthodoxy. ing Dia or gn it o 2. We recognise academies with a n s is o strong track record and do not M How well is the • What are the

force them to do the same as academy performing: lines of enquiry?

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22 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 International Baccalaureate (IB) at LAT

All LAT academies approach the design of the curriculum they offer pupils in an innovative way, rich in both knowledge and skills, to meet the needs and aspirations of pupils and inspire engagement. As a result, the Trust is well on the way to becoming the first multi-academy trust in which International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes will be delivered in all key stages.

In KS5, the IB Career-related Programme The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is LAT primary academies are beginning (IBCP), which combines academic delivered to all pupils in Key Stage 3 their journey to embrace the Primary and vocational learning, personal across the Trust, as it encourages them Years Programme (PYP) as their and professional skills development, to make practical connections between curricular framework alongside the service learning, language acquisition their studies and the real world, national curriculum. This programme and a reflective project, is now well preparing them for success in further ensures that the essential skills established in a number of academies, study and in life, and empowering developed will enable pupils to extend with more applying to become IB World them to inquire into a wide range of and enrich their learning in a wide Schools. issues and ideas of significance locally, range of subjects. nationally and globally. The result will be young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers.

LAT is committed to all pupils developing the skills and attributes of the IB learner profile to ensure that they are ready for the next stage of their lives when they leave school.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 23 Executive Team Neil Willis Deputy Chief Executive Neil graduated from Plymouth Simon Beamish Polytechnic with a BSc in Geography and gained his PGCE from Goldsmiths College, Chief Executive University of London, before teaching in Simon Beamish graduated from York Surrey and Kent. He was Headteacher at University with a BA in Politics and Axton Chase School during its transition went on to study for a PGCE in History to becoming Longfield Academy in 2008 at Durham University. He gained an and Principal at Longfield Academy until 2012, when he MSc in Social and Political Theory from became Deputy Chief Executive of Leigh Academies Trust. Birkbeck College, University of London, as well as an NPQH from the National Neil has developed innovative learning environments across College for School Leadership. He has taught at several many of the Trust academies transforming inclusion, teaching schools in Kent, Medway and South-East London. In 2009, and learning and community engagement. This includes the Simon was appointed Principal of Longfield Academy within creation of new academy buildings, SEND provisions and use Leigh Academies Trust. In the previous year the predecessor of new technologies. These have gathered worldwide and school had achieved just over 20% 5+ A*-C grades, including national recognition. Neil is chair of the Maidstone Academies English and maths. By the time that Simon left the school in Board and sits on the Kent Funding Forum. September 2013 to become Principal of The Leigh Technology Academy, this figure had risen to just under 70%. Sharon Waterman Simon was appointed Chief Executive of Leigh Academies Trust in November 2013, succeeding Frank Green, CBE, who Education Director went on to become Schools’ Commissioner for England. In Sharon Waterman was awarded a addition to this role, Simon is currently Chairman of Governors Bachelor of Education (Honours) from of Roseacre Junior School in Maidstone. He is also Chairman De Montfort University in 1993 having of Kent and Medway Training, one of the region’s largest studied Secondary Physical Education teacher-training providers. He is a trained Ofsted Inspector and English at Bedford College of Higher and a National Leader of Education. He lives in Kent with his Education. The National College of School wife Emma and their three children. Leadership awarded Sharon the NPQH in 2006 and she successfully completed the Associate Academy Principal Programme in 2011. Sharon has worked in a number of schools in both Northampton and Kent developing her expertise and experience as a leader using innovative curriculum design to raise standards and achievement. Sharon was appointed Co- Principal of The Leigh Academy in 2011 and in recognition of her outstanding leadership role across Leigh Academies Trust, Sharon was appointed Trust Principal and a Director of Leigh Academies Trust in 2015. Sharon left The Leigh Academy in September 2017 to take on her new role as Education Director.

24 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Steve Avis Finance Director Steve is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and joined Leigh Academies Trust as Finance Director in January 2015. He has over 25 years of experience within finance across the public sector and has held senior management positions in the civil service, including in the Department for Education. He was also head of finance at Partnerships for Schools (now part of the Education and Skills Funding Agency). Before joining the Trust, Steve was director of finance and operations at a high-profile new academy in central London. Steve has two daughters and two grandchildren. He lives in Surrey and is a lifelong supporter of Leeds United Football Club.

Sue Crocker Business Director Sue has worked in the education sector since 1996, including both the primary and secondary sectors, and was appointed Leigh Academies Trust Business Director in 2008. Sue has led the Trust through major capital-building programmes totalling £66m, the most recent of which, Langley Park Primary Academy, phase 2 opened in July 2018. Current projects include Bearsted Primary Academy, Snowfields Academy and Leigh Academy Rainham opening September 2020 and the new Jupiter College at Wilmington Academy. Sue is integrally involved in all aspects of business and operations and has been instrumental in bringing new schools into the Trust. Other areas of strategic leadership include health and safety, estate management and administration.

Stephane Vernoux IT Director Stephane joined Leigh Academies Trust in 2012 to transform, develop and deliver the Trust’s IT strategy. Much emphasis is placed on growth, mobility, innovation, risk and exposure management, and achieving outstanding educational outcomes. Before moving to the UK from France, Stephane began his career as a biomedical engineer. He then turned his focus to IT, with over 15 years’ technical and management expertise. Most recently, Stephane worked as the Head of IT for the largest indoor ski-slope operator in Europe, prior to which he held various IT roles within a specialist property company.

Richard Taylor People Director Richard joined Leigh Academies Trust in 2014 to develop the Trust’s HR strategy and drive improvements in its people practices. Richard is a chartered member of the Institute of Personnel and Development and has devoted his career to building successful HR teams that add real value to the organisations they serve. Over the last decade, Richard has held a number of HR leadership roles across a variety of sectors, including engineering, construction, facilities management and oil and gas, and he brings to the Trust a commercial, pragmatic and creative approach to people management.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 25 A history of Leigh Academies Trust

• Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is • The Leigh Technology Academy opens its • The Leigh Academy appointed as • Wilmington Academy joins LAT • Longfield Academy wins National ICT Facility inaugerated under Frank Green, brand-new building National Support School award • Longfield Academy moves into CEO • Longfield Academy joins LAT • The Leigh Academy receives brand new building • Milestone Academy joins the Trust • University of Greenwich becomes International School designation • University of Kent becomes sponsor • York Road Junior Academy joins the Trust a sponsor • First Trust conference 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010

• Hartley Primary • Simon Beamish appointed • Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy joins LAT, the first in the • Mascalls Academy joins the Trust • Strood Academy joins LAT Academy joins LAT CEO South-East London cluster of academies • Eastcote Primary Academy joins • LAT opens Langley Park Primary Academy • LAT Enterprise • LAT signs agreement with • The Leigh UTC opens in brand-new building, specialising in the Trust • First primary sports day company initiated The Stationers’ Company to engineering and computing • Hartley Primary Academy sponsor a South-East London • First staff LAT Awards ceremony • Molehill, Tree Tops and Oaks Primary academies join the designated National Support secondary academy Trust School • Wilmington Academy opens • St Albans Infant School merges with York Road Junior new building School to become Dartford Primary Academy 2012-2013 2013-2014 • First secondary sports day 2014-2015

• LAT opens Cherry Orchard Primary Academy, the first new school in the Ebbsfleet • LAT opens Leigh Academy Garden City Blackheath in Greenwich • The Halley Academy in Greenwich joins LAT • Roundash Nursery joins LAT, merging with Hartley Primary • Inspiration Academy opens as the UK’s first KS3 UTC annex Academy • The Leigh Education Prize is launched • Working With Business launched • The Leigh Aspire programme for high-achievers is launched • LAT Careers Service launched 2017-2018 2018-2019

26 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 • Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is • The Leigh Technology Academy opens its • The Leigh Academy appointed as • Wilmington Academy joins LAT • Longfield Academy wins National ICT Facility inaugerated under Frank Green, brand-new building National Support School award • Longfield Academy moves into CEO • Longfield Academy joins LAT • The Leigh Academy receives brand new building • Milestone Academy joins the Trust • University of Greenwich becomes International School designation • University of Kent becomes sponsor • York Road Junior Academy joins the Trust a sponsor • First Trust conference 2010-2011 2011-2012

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 27 Our partners and sponsors

28 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 29 Be inspired at Leigh Academies Trust

30 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 ‘Leigh Academies Trust is transforming communities across South-East England. We are shaping education for young people so that they will have a variety of opportunities and a far better future.’

Sir Geoffrey Leigh Founding Sponsor

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2018/19 31 Chief Executive: Simon Beamish BA (Hons) MSc PGCE NPQH NLE

Carnation Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 2SX t: 01634 412200 | f: 01634 412201 e: [email protected] | w: www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk

Leigh Academies Trust is a registered company (company no 2336587) and an exempt charity. Designed and produced by LAT Creative | e: [email protected] | t: 01634 412227

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