PROSPECTUS 2019/20 SHAPING LIVES, TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES 2 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 Welcome to Leigh Academies Trust

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Welcome to our Our clusters contain all phases of education, quality education and care. In doing so, we Trust Prospectus from nursery to post-16. Each one has a aim to transform the communities in which for 2019-20. Please passionate commitment to inclusion. For they live as children and will continue as take time to browse example, Milestone Academy, in our North- adults, so that the life chances of future through these pages, West Kent Cluster, is one of the region’s generations are enhanced by a strong which will give you a largest special schools. Across many of our legacy handed down from those who have sense of what Leigh mainstream academies, both primary and gone before them. Academies Trust secondary, we have designated centres for does. We are already children with special educational needs. If you are interested to find out more about one of the country’s us, please do get in contact. Whether you most successful multi-academy trusts. We Our academies are like siblings, not clones. are a current or prospective parent of a are incredibly proud of our achievements – We believe that innovation, creativity and child in one of our academies, an employer we hope you will see why. empowerment are vital. These qualities keen to forge links with schools, a member cannot thrive in an environment where of the community interested in becoming We are developing ‘clusters’ of academies everyone is forced to do the same thing. a governor, a potential employee or an along the South Thames Corridor, an area However, like all siblings, our academies educational establishment interested in of significant industrial and residential share certain core values and ways of partnership with an already-successful development in the South-East of England. operating. You can learn more about the multi-academy trust, we would like Each cluster is no more than an hour’s drive things our academies share in common over to hear from you. from end to end. Geography is important the next few pages. to ensure strong collaboration. So too is our continuous planned and measured More than anything, we are about shaping approach to further growth. children’s lives for the better through high-

Simon Beamish Chief Executive

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 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 2019/20 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 2019/20 5 Our academies ROMFORD

M BASILDON

M M LONDON

TWICKENHAM A2

A2 M DARTFORD ROCHESTER

CROYDON M M

M M MM20 M6 CANTERBURY M MAIDSTONE A2 GUILDFORD TONBRIDGE M M ASHFORD CRAWLEY ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS

6 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 ROMFORD

The Leigh Eastcote Stationers’ Halley Academy Primary Crown Academy Woods SE London M BASILDON Blackheath Academy Academy

M M LONDON Sir High The A2 Strood Joseph Stoke Allhallows Halstow Hundred TWICKENHAM Williamson’s Primary Primary Primary of Hoo Academy Mathematical Medway Academy Academy Academy Academy A2 School M DARTFORD ROCHESTER

CROYDON M M

M M MM20 M6 Cherry The The Hartley Dartford CANTERBURY Leigh Longfield Wilmington Milestone Primary Orchard Leigh UTC Primary Primary NW Kent M MAIDSTONE A2 Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy GUILDFORD TONBRIDGE M M

ASHFORD Langley ROYAL Tree Oaks Paddock CRAWLEY Park Tops Molehill Wood Horsmonden TUNBRIDGE WELLS Mascalls Primary Primary Primary Central Kent Primary Academy Primary Academy Primary Academy Academy Academy Academy Academy

All of our current academies can be accessed within a one- Leigh Bearsted hour drive of one another. We want to keep it this way by Academy Snowfields Primary Academy developing self-improving ‘clusters’ of academies across the Rainham Academy south-east.

Forthcoming academies The first cluster was in North-West Kent, centred around Dartford. The other three existing clusters are in South-East London (Greenwich and Bexley), Central Kent (between Maidstone and Tonbridge) and Medway.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 7 From small beginnings...

The Trust was formed in 2008, when When this project is at maturity, our The Leigh Technology Academy and clusters will include around ten schools Longfield Academy were linked under per cluster, serving approximately 6,000 one governing body. It currently students from ages 2-19, all with a encompasses more than 16,500 highly-inclusive approach to education. students, between the ages of 2 months They will be strong and confident and 21, in 25 primary, secondary and groupings with their own identities, but special academies. which subscribe to the core values and distinctive features of the Trust. Each The latest addition has been Paddock cluster has its own team of principals Wood Primary Academy and who report to the Chief Executive of Horsmonden Primary Academy in the Trust. September 2019 in Central Kent.

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’.

8 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 Primary education ‘Leigh Academies Trust, governors and leaders are highly committed to all pupils achieving their very The Trust is strongly committed to Our governing bodies are also linked. best. primary education. A successful Whilst primary academies all have primary education generally leads to a their own development groups, they Together, they have successful life afterwards. If things go are governed by an Academy Board, developed a culture of high wrong in primary school, some children which brings together primary and never recover. secondary governors around one table. expectations and a nurturing This enables governors to understand environment in which staff Our aim is for all our primaries to be the process of education from age 2 and pupils thrive.’ linked to a nearby secondary academy. through to 19 and is a powerful driver Strong collaboration is encouraged of collaboration between phases. Eastcote Primary Academy, from the outset to provide additional Ofsted March 2019 opportunities for staff and students. Wherever possible, our primary These links help to break down the academies have their own nurseries. artificial divide between the primary Currently, the Trust has 10 nurseries, get children’s development off to a and secondary phases, so that students’ and this will grow over the next successful start from the moment they transition is as smooth as possible. eighteen months. This helps us to enter formal education. Our secondary academies often allow preferential access under their admissions arrangements for students attending our primary academies.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 9 Secondary education ‘Very strong links with industry enable pupils to bring their learning to life through engaging projects set by employers.’ The Leigh UTC, Ofsted February 2017

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

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 above national averages. This is in no small part due to the hard work and dedication of our talented team of well-trained staff. Our students leave school well qualified, ready to take their next steps into work, The Trust has 11 secondary academies, The Leigh UTC is a unique secondary training or further study. one of which is a University Technical school specialising in engineering College (UTC). Most of its schools have and computing. It works very closely benefitted from significant rebuilding with industry and university partners programmes over the last decade and to create work-based opportunities enjoy splendid, new, state-of-the-art for young people aged 14-19. In 2018 facilities for learning. Each academy it developed the UK’s first 11-14 UTC is organised around a ‘human-scale’ extension to meet the considerable education model, in environments demand for access to this specialist that are technology-rich, flexible and learning environment. welcoming. Academy staff take a business-like, yet caring, approach to We believe in fostering achieve successful outcomes for young entrepreneurship in our students. That people. is why we have developed our own initiative, “LAT Working With Business”, across all academies, to link our schools firmly into the world of work. 10 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 Special education

The Trust is committed to inclusion also gives much in return through its and independence by allowing and to creating opportunities for highly- talented, knowledgeable and them to access different learning all students, regardless of their skilled group of staff. environments. circumstances. In fact, one of our core values is to remove barriers to success, In 2014, Milestone Academy Leigh Academies Trust also has 12 whatever they might be. developed an off-site, post-16 satellite designated special provisions within provision at Wilmington Academy. existing mainstream academies for Milestone Academy joined the Trust Since then, further satellite provisions students with Education and Health in 2012. It is one of the largest special for primary and secondary-age pupils Care Plans. The Trust therefore has schools in the region and was again have been developed at Dartford considerable expertise in special rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in 2016. Primary and The Leigh Academy. educational needs, including speech, It has around 330 young people from communication and language needs; ages 2-19 with profound and multiple Through these satellites pupils enjoy hearing impairment; autistic-spectrum learning needs. Milestone benefits enhanced opportunities to learn in disorders; visual impairment; and hugely from its interaction with the conjunction with pupils from the host moderate learning difficulties. Trust’s other mainstream academies. It academy. This improves confidence 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 provides high quality provision and teaching to maximise academic and personal development, supporting pupils to move from dependence towards independence.’ Challenge Partners, June 2019

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 11 Post-16 education

Leigh Academies Trust comprises 10 campuses across Kent, Medway and South-East London.

Through these campuses students are able to study for a wide range of subjects and qualifications. These include ‘A’ Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations and apprenticeships. A large number of LAT’s students progress on to Building upon our success and as part of our ongoing university, including Russell Group universities, with commitment to delivering an outstanding educational others taking jobs and apprenticeships in fields such as experience to our post-16 students, Wilmington Academy, engineering, accountancy, medicine and leisure. The Leigh Academy and The Leigh UTC have become accredited International Baccalaureate World Schools, delivering the International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP) since September 2017. Strood Academy Our students have access to a wide range of and The Halley Academy launched the IBCP in September opportunities including: 2019. • appropriate range of academic and vocational The IBCP core curriculum is fundamental to the development courses; of students academically, personally and socially, combining • flexible learning programmes; the skills valued by employers with excellent qualifications. • development of skills and attitudes prized by A flexible post-16 programme, it is offered in 17 countries employers; around the world and combines academic, vocational and • state-of-the-art facilities; practical learning skills. • 24/7 learning; • enrichment and work-related learning experiences; The Trust has now become one of the first to offer both Level • excellent employer and university links; 3 and Level 4 apprenticeships. Currently these are available • bespoke pastoral programmes; and in engineering at The Leigh UTC, but will be expanded in • personalised support, mentoring and guidance. 2019-2020 to include computer technology and catering. Milestone Academy also provides access to supported apprenticeships for its students. Through our LAT Working With Business initiative and careers service, all academies work closely with a wide range In the future The Leigh UTC will be one of the first schools of businesses, universities and other organisations to ensure to deliver the new T Level qualification. As part of a national that our students have the opportunities and advice they pilot, these courses will start in September 2020 and will need to follow their chosen path. include classwork theory, practical learning and a 3 month industrial placement.

We are committed to high-quality training for all teachers. The Trust leads Kent and Medway Training (KMT) and Medway Teaching School Alliance KMT is an established school-centred MTSA is a forward-thinking group (MTSA). initial teacher training (SCITT) provider of over 110 schools committed to of 24 years. LAT is the single legal providing an outstanding education entity for KMT, which works with enjoyed by every child. It focuses on a large consortium of secondary initial teacher training, school to school Trainees and NQTs are and primary schools within Kent, support and continuing professional Medway and South-East London. and leadership development. MTSA committed, reflective, LAT has played an integral role in trains an average of 160 teachers every resilient and determined the rapid and sustained growth of year in both primary and secondary to be the best they can. KMT. It consistently outperforms the phases and achieves consistently high Members are determined national trends for training the future outcomes, with over 48% of trainees generation of teachers. being graded as outstanding each and committed to ensuring year. that trainees develop to the In the current year KMT will be training best of their potential. in excess of 166 new teachers across primary, secondary and special phases. KMT Ofsted November 2018 KMT trainee teachers are highly qualified, dedicated, enthusiastic, creative, resilient and highly motivated Kent and Medway Maths Hub’s to succeed. core purpose is to help academies and schools lead improvement in LAT academies benefit greatly from mathematics education. Bringing the three routes into teaching offered together mathematics education by KMT, whose aim is to recruit, professionals through a collaborative train, employ and retain outstanding network ensures that best practice is teachers for partnership schools and developed and shared to benefit all the surrounding area. pupils.

KMT is committed to not only training outstanding teachers, but retaining them in the profession, many of which choose to start their career in LAT academies.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 13 Opportunities for teaching staff

Our annual conference, held each year in February, brings together teachers from across the Trust for a day of high- quality training. Each day includes an address from the Chief Executive, followed by workshops run by our own staff and trusted external facilitators.

Leigh Academies Trust has its own pay scale for teachers, which enables annual progression based on good performance. Activity and development allowances enable academy leaders to recognise the best teachers and to provide enhanced responsibilities and salaries.

The Trust has also introduced its own recruitment and retention bonuses to enable it to compete for the very best teachers.

14 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 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.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 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 OUTSTANDING GOOD leadership and PDBW

OUTSTANDING GOOD N/A GOOD

Aspire Believe Achieve Joined March 2015 Joined March 2015 Joined September 2015 Joined January 2017 Last inspected: June 2019 Last inspected: February 2018 Last inspected: November 2016 Last inspected: February 2017

GOOD with OUTSTANDING GOOD GOOD GOOD leadership and PDBW

INADEQUATE INADEQUATE GOOD GOOD

16 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 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 Last inspected: June 2018 Last inspected: March 2019 Last inspected: June 2019 Opened by LAT September 2017

GOOD GOOD with OUTSTANDING Awaiting Section 5 judgement for OUTSTANDING NOT YET INSPECTED leadership, PDBW and early years possible conversion to Outstanding. GOOD GOOD N/A N/A

Joined January 2019 Joined January 2019 Joined April 2018 Opened by LAT September 2018 Last inspected: July 2018 Last inspected: November 2008

GOOD with OUTSTANDING NOT YET INSPECTED NOT YET INSPECTED OUTSTANDING leadership and early years

N/A N/A GOOD OUTSTANDING

Stoke The Hundred of Hoo Primary Academy Kids Club and Nursery

Joined January 2019 Joined January 2019 Joined January 2019 Joined January 2019 Last inspected: February 2018 Last inspected: May 2019 Last inspected: September 2017 Last inspected: July 2019

GOOD GOOD REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT GOOD with OUTSTANDING PDBW

GOOD GOOD REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT GOOD

Horsmonden Paddock Wood Primary Academy Primary Academy Joined September 2019 Joined September 2019 Last inspected: July 2016 Last inspected: July 2016

GOOD GOOD

GOOD GOOD Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 17 Results 2019

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 = 72%) 76% (national average = 75%) 75%

% of children who pass the phonics % of pupils who achieve 9-4 in test in Year 1 maths at GCSE (national average = 83%) 86% (national average = 60%) 68%

% of children who achieve national Attainment 8 standard at Key Stage 2 in reading (national average = 44pts) (national average = 73%) 74% 43pts

% of children who achieve national Average academic grade at standard at Key Stage 2 in writing A Level (national average = 78%) 88% (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 = 79%) 81% (national average = Merit+)

% of children who achieve Average technical level grade at ‘combined’ national standard at A Level Key Stage 2 70% (national average = Merit+) Distinction- (national average = 65%)

18 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 Governance

High-quality governance is central to cover two or more academies to ensure We encourage our governors to the success of LAT. Governors at all that the Trust’s vision for seamless ‘all- become involved in the wider life of levels work in partnership as critical through’ education is realised. the academies and to challenge and friends with Trust and academy leaders, support them to reach new heights. enhancing continuously the standards For each primary academy, a In their role governors often take of achievement, progress and welfare Development Group meets three times responsibility for monitoring a key provision for all pupils. per year and provides more specialist aspect of the work of the academy oversight to support the work of the such as safeguarding, finance, SEND or Our governors are drawn from Academy Board. academic progress. a wide range of backgrounds, bringing with them a diverse set of skills and knowledge that enriches and strengthens the work of each governance team.

Each new governor is provided with an initial induction to ensure they are equipped to contribute fully to their board. Information, training and support is provided throughout the year so that every governor is aware of the latest initiatives, policy and news.

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

Academy Boards meet four times per year and are responsible for the day-to- day management and governance of academies. Where appropriate, this may

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 19 Careers LAT Engagement Team AT Learning

Raising aspirations through transformative experiences LAT WORKING WITH BUSINESS

LAT Working With Business • convert careers information into personal career understanding; The Trust values partnerships with • recognise the impact of influences local businesses for mutual gain. We from family, friends and peers; are passionate that each and every student within the Trust should benefit • access appropriate experiences from significant business engagement with employers, education and to prepare them for their future after training providers; leaving education. Understanding how • access mentors and work-related the world of employment works and (2017-18), the programme specifically activities; the key skills needed to be successful, focussed on our most-able Year 9 • access group and one-to-one over and above academic qualifications, and Year 12 students, with a range of guidance; encourages our students to strive to transformational events throughout achieve. the academic year. These include • make informed choices; and visits to the Universities of Oxford and • learn how to present themselves Our valued business partnerships Cambridge, West End theatre trips, appropriately for employment and take many forms and include business monthly skills-development workshops further/higher education. mentoring, visits to workplaces, with high-tariff universities, an insight presentations within our academies, day at St. George’s University of London projects for students, work experience Medical School and the opportunity LAT Alumni and much more. LAT is proud to be to participate in a PhD-led academic LAT values highly the opportunity to developing its own LAT Working With enrichment programme, proven to Business initiative. keep in touch with former students. We impact student outcomes positively. are keen to foster a thriving community of ex-students who can bring their Leigh Aspire Careers Learning expertise back into their academy for the benefit of current students. Launched in September 2017, the All LAT pupils have the opportunity to Leigh Aspire programme provides access careers professionals, employed Utilising academy LinkedIn pages gives cultural and academic enrichment by LAT via the Careers Learning service. opportunities for all our students. ex-students an excellent opportunity LAT’s Career Learning strategy provides to network with old friends as well as to By building knowledge and skills planned, progressive experiences beyond the curriculum, the aim is to keep up to date with all the news and for all pupils, enabling them to events from their academy. raise both attainment and aspiration, develop lifelong career-management and to provide our brightest pupils capabilities. Specifically, pupils will: with access to the country’s top All LAT’s current secondary academies • learn about themselves and the universities, including the Russell and Milestone Academy have search- opportunities available; Group and Oxbridge. In its first year enabled pages for use by our alumni.

20 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 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 Academies Director and/ academies. This brings together human resources, recruitment, or CEO. This enables full discussion trained external inspectors and marketing, finance, IT, estates and accountability in all educational academy senior staff and provides management and procurement and improvement matters at least six times excellent training for our leaders, support is highly responsive and 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 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.

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 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 2. We recognise academies with a it o n s is o strong track record and do not M How well is the • What are the

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22 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 International Baccalaureate (IB) at LAT

LAT is committed to providing all of its pupils with an outstanding educational experience that gives them the knowledge, skills and personal IB Career-related Programme IB Primary Years Programme attributes they need to be successful lifelong learners. Five secondary academies are now IB All our primary academies are World Schools authorised to deliver this candidate schools and are using the It is for this reason that LAT took prestigious programme of study that PYP framework alongside the national the groundbreaking steps to prepares young people for university, curriculum to encourage a thirst for introduce International Baccalaureate apprenticeships and the world of knowledge, awe and wonder whilst programmes across all phases of work. It is a unique blend of academic, achieving excellence in the core skills of education in its academies. vocational and personal development reading, writing and maths. encompassing service learning, IB Programmes are delivered in 150 language development and a reflective countries worldwide in international, project designed to develop the whole International Dimension independent and grammar schools. All student beyond the qualifications. programmes are underpinned by the Participation in the development of IB Learner Profile which consists of ten the IB Programmes has given our staff highly desirable characteristics that will the opportunity to attend international pave the way to success for all learners: conferences and engage with the best research and training from around the • Knowledgeable world. • Balanced IB Middle Years Programme • Risk-takers All our secondary academies are • Caring candidate schools and are working • Principled together to build an exciting and • Inquirers innovative curriculum that ignites • Reflective curiosity and develops the knowledge • Thinkers and skills that students need to succeed in later life in a wide range of • Communicators disciplines. • Open-minded

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 23 Executive Team

Simon Beamish Neil Willis Chief Executive Chief Operating Officer Simon Beamish graduated from York Neil graduated from Plymouth University with a BA in Politics and Polytechnic with a BSc in Geography went on to study for a PGCE in History and gained his PGCE from Goldsmiths at Durham University. He gained an College, University of London, before MSc in Social and Political Theory from teaching in Surrey and Kent. He was Birkbeck College, University of London, Headteacher at Axton Chase School as well as an NPQH from the National during its transition to becoming College for School Leadership. He has taught at several Longfield Academy in 2008 and Principal at Longfield schools in Kent, Medway and South-East London. In 2009, Academy until 2012, when he became Deputy Chief Simon was appointed Principal of Longfield Academy within Executive of Leigh Academies Trust. In 2019 he became Chief Leigh Academies Trust. In the previous year the predecessor Operating Officer being responsible for all central services, school had achieved just over 20% 5+ A*-C grades, including development of new academies, SEND and Safeguarding. English and maths. By the time that Simon left the school in Neil has developed innovative learning environments September 2013 to become Principal of The Leigh Technology across many of the Trust academies transforming inclusion, Academy, this figure had risen to just under 70%. teaching and learning and community engagement. These Simon was appointed Chief Executive of Leigh Academies have gathered worldwide and national recognition. Neil is Trust in November 2013, succeeding Frank Green, CBE, who chair of the Maidstone Academies Board and sits on the Kent went on to become Schools’ Commissioner for England. In Funding Forum. addition to this role, Simon is currently Chairman of Governors of Roseacre Junior School in Maidstone. He is also Chairman of Kent and Medway Training, one of the region’s largest teacher-training providers. He is a trained Ofsted Inspector and a National Leader of Education. He lives in Kent with his wife Emma and their three children.

24 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 Sharon Waterman Education Director Sharon Waterman was awarded a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from De Montfort University in 1993 having studied Secondary Physical Education and English at Bedford College of Higher Education. The National College of School 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. Debbie Biggenden Academies Director (Medway and Central Kent) Debbie Biggenden was awarded a Bachelor of Education (Hons) from Greenwich University in 1995 having studied secondary physical and health education. She then completed her post-graduate certificate in education leadership. Following this Debbie completed her NPQH, which was awarded by the National College of School Leadership in 2006.

Debbie started her teaching career as a PE teacher and worked in a number of schools in both Croydon and Kent. She continued to develop her expertise and as she progressed into her first leadership position continued to develop her experience as a middle and senior leader.

In 2009, Debbie moved from secondary to the primary phase and took on the headship of Oaks Primary Academy in Maidstone. Subsequently, she was offered the opportunity to develop her leadership skills when Leigh Academies Trust appointed her as the Executive Principle of four primary academies in the area.

Tracey Trusler Academies Director (North-West Kent and South-East London) Tracey graduated from Leicester University with a BA (Hons) in French and German and worked for 10 years in the property industry, achieving a post-graduate diploma in estate management along the way, before retraining as a language teacher in 1997. She taught in schools in inner and outer London, joined Dartford Grammar School for Boys on the senior leadership team before being seconded to Wilmington Enterprise College in 2009.

Wilmington Academy joined Leigh Academies trust in 2010. Tracey was promoted to Principal and by 2013, following a lot of hard work and determination, it had become the top performing non-selective school in Kent. Ofsted graded the academy ‘good’ with ‘outstanding leadership and management’ in 2013 and again in 2017. During this time, Tracey successfully completed her National Professional Qualification for Headteachers and oversaw a £14 million rebuilding programme. The academy has gone from strength to strength, becoming an International Baccalaureate World School in 2017.

25 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 three 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 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, Leigh Academy Blackheath and the new Jupiter College at Wilmington Academy, all opening September 2020 and Leigh Academy Rainham, opening September 2021. 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, facility services, estate management including school condition.

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 almost 20 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 two decades, 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 2019/20 26 A history of Leigh Academies Trust

• Leigh Academies Trust • The Leigh Technology Academy opens its brand- • The Leigh Academy appointed as • Wilmington Academy • Longfield Academy wins National • Hartley Primary Academy joins • Simon Beamish appointed CEO (LAT) is inaugerated new building National Support School joins LAT ICT Facility award LAT • LAT signs agreement with The under Frank Green, CEO • Longfield Academy joins LAT • The Leigh Academy receives • Longfield Academy • Milestone Academy joins the Trust • LAT Enterprise company initiated Stationers’ Company to • University of Greenwich International School designation moves into brand new sponsor a South-East London • University of Kent becomes sponsor • York Road Junior Academy joins the becomes a sponsor building secondary academy Trust • Wilmington Academy opens • First Trust conference new building 2007-2008 2008-2009

• Stationers’ Crown Woods Academy joins LAT, the first in the South-East • Mascalls Academy joins the • Strood Academy joins LAT • LAT opens Cherry Orchard Primary Academy, the first new school in the • LAT opens Leigh Academy Blackheath in Greenwich London cluster of academies Trust Ebbsfleet Garden City • LAT opens Langley Park Primary • Roundash Nursery joins LAT, merging with Hartley Primary Academy • The Leigh UTC opens in brand-new building, specialising in engineering • Eastcote Primary Academy Academy • The Halley Academy in Greenwich joins LAT • The Williamson Trust, comprising of Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School, and computing joins the Trust • First primary sports day • Inspiration Academy opens as the UK’s first KS3 UTC annex The Hundred of Hoo Academy, High Halstow Primary Academy, Stoke Primary • Molehill, Tree Tops and Oaks Primary academies join the Trust • Hartley Primary Academy • First staff LAT Awards ceremony Academy and Allhallows Primary Academy merges with LAT designated National Support • Working With Business launched • St Albans Infant School merges with York Road Junior School to become School • The Hundred of Hoo Nursery and Kids Club join LAT Dartford Primary Academy • The Leigh Aspire programme for high-achievers is launched • IB Primary Years Programme introduced into all primary academies • First secondary sports day • LAT Careers Service launched • IB Middle Years Programme introduced into secondary academies 2014-2015 2015-2016

• Paddock Wood Primary Academy and Horsmonden Primary Academy join LAT • LAT receives accreditation to deliver apprenticeships • The Leigh UTC nominated to undertake national pilot of ‘T’ Levels 2019-2020

27 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 • Leigh Academies Trust • The Leigh Technology Academy opens its brand- • The Leigh Academy appointed as • Wilmington Academy • Longfield Academy wins National • Hartley Primary Academy joins • Simon Beamish appointed CEO (LAT) is inaugerated new building National Support School joins LAT ICT Facility award LAT • LAT signs agreement with The under Frank Green, CEO • Longfield Academy joins LAT • The Leigh Academy receives • Longfield Academy • Milestone Academy joins the Trust • LAT Enterprise company initiated Stationers’ Company to • University of Greenwich International School designation moves into brand new sponsor a South-East London • University of Kent becomes sponsor • York Road Junior Academy joins the becomes a sponsor building secondary academy Trust • Wilmington Academy opens • First Trust conference new building 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012

28 • Leigh Academies Trust • The Leigh Technology Academy opens its brand- • The Leigh Academy appointed as • Wilmington Academy • Longfield Academy wins National • Hartley Primary Academy joins • Simon Beamish appointed CEO (LAT) is inaugerated new building National Support School joins LAT ICT Facility award LAT • LAT signs agreement with The under Frank Green, CEO • Longfield Academy joins LAT • The Leigh Academy receives • Longfield Academy • Milestone Academy joins the Trust • LAT Enterprise company initiated Stationers’ Company to • University of Greenwich International School designation moves into brand new sponsor a South-East London • University of Kent becomes sponsor • York Road Junior Academy joins the becomes a sponsor building secondary academy Trust • Wilmington Academy opens • First Trust conference new building 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 29 LAT Enterprises

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

30 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 Our partners and sponsors

Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 31 Be inspired at Leigh Academies Trust

32 Leigh Academies Trust Prospectus 2019/20 ‘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 2019/20 33 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

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