Leigh Academy Halley is part of Leigh Academies Trust

Leigh Academies Trust is one of the country’s largest and most-established multi-academy trusts operating across Kent, Medway and South East London. It contains primary, secondary and special academies and is highly inclusive and successful. Our mission is to deliver “an education for a better world” by ensuring that young people in our academies have an excellent start in life regardless of their background or ability.

Welcome to Leigh Academy Halley

“The staff really do go the extra mile to make sure we achieve our very best.”
– Year 11 student 

Portrait photo of Ben Russell, Principal at The Halley Academy.

Ben Russell
Principal

Welcome to Leigh Academy Halley

I am delighted to welcome you to Leigh Academy Halley. We are an aspirational, disciplined and inclusive academy where human-scale education, a dynamic curriculum, and excellent teaching and pastoral care, maximise student achievement.

Our core values – respect, achievement, collaboration, integrity and resilience – permeate everything we do. We believe in the potential of every student. We champion the highest outcomes for all young people. Our staff are driven by the belief that education can transform our students’ lives. We take our role as educators seriously and sincerely – we know that the culture of our academy affects the character of our students, which in turn shapes the culture of our society. 

It is for this reason why we are so proud to be a caring community where everybody feels empowered and supported to be the best version of themselves. Students are inspired to work hard, play an active role with the world around them, and to achieve more than they thought possible. Safeguarding is of paramount importance; our students are happy, safe and successful in our care. We build strong partnerships with parents and carers, working closely together to ensure all students enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding education. Our teachers lead with professionalism and scholarship; they are experts in their field and love sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject with their classes. All of us are part of a warm and compassionate family of staff, Governors and Trust colleagues who have boundless ambitions for those we work with and a deep commitment to learning and self-improvement. We know that working with children every day is the best job in the world. 

Our ambitious world-class curriculum delivers an education of excellence for all, through consistently highly effective teaching and a culture of high expectations for our students. Leigh Academy Halley has been an International Baccalaureate World School since 2019. We believe passionately in the mastery of the core within a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum that develops the whole child. The curriculum is shaped by, and deeply rooted in, the strongest available evidence about how students learn and retain knowledge. We are committed to students engaging deeply and comprehensively with both substantive and disciplinary knowledge so that they achieve strong outcomes throughout each phase of the curriculum: the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7, 8 and 9; a two-year Key Stage 4 where students study a range of GCSEs and vocational qualifications in Years 10 and 11; and the International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP) in our Sixth Form.

We have experienced unprecedented investment and refurbishment as part of joining Leigh Academies Trust, providing excellent learning facilities in an historic listed building. All students at Leigh Academy Halley are given access to a personal Chromebook, which they use every day in lessons and at home to support their learning. All physical classrooms have a corresponding virtual classroom, and all teaching staff have Google Educator certification so that technology can enhance the learning experiences of students. With considerable investment from the Tallow Chandlers Livery Company, our brand-new Engineering and Design Centre opened in June 2022, not only supports the development of our thriving STEM specialism, but also gives students access to world-class learning facilities. Students and staff also benefit from a modern sports complex on our 16 acre site and a number of cutting edge science laboratories.

We know that happy and supported students will be successful and engaged in their learning. This is why students between Years 7-11 join one of our three small school communities – Easley, Franklin or Turing – each with a team of staff dedicated to helping them surpass their potential. Our fourth small school – Hawking – offers bespoke academic and pastoral support to our Sixth Formers. 

Every student is valued and cared for as an individual who plays an essential role as part of our wider small-school and whole-school community. Students are in tutor groups according to their small school communities and year group; allocation is not determined by academic performance. Students form a strong relationship with their tutor as a first point of contact. They enjoy a daily comprehensive tutor time programme, which includes current affairs bulletins, assemblies, sex and relationship education, alongside a well-structured careers, advice and guidance scheme. The entire academy community, including the sixth form, has regular whole academy assemblies to celebrate our shared values and successes. 

Our curriculum is rich and dynamic because it invests deeply in the holistic development of our students. We offer a wide range of enriching extracurricular clubs both before and after school. The MYP Programme affords students the opportunity to make links between their learning across different disciplines, as well as play active roles in local community projects. Students are confident, appreciative and articulate inquirers as a result of our leadership programmes. We maximise opportunities for learning outside of the classroom through trips, visits from outside speakers, Cultural Capital Days and careers guidance that opens our students’ minds to the possibilities and opportunities in the world around them. Our Values programme and Global Citizenship lessons help develop the global mindedness of our students, whilst IT classes ensure that they can use technology safely and responsibly. Our unique Academy farm family, with its bees and chickens, allows students to understand how nature, the environment and horticulture affects our everyday lives.

Leigh Academy Halley equips students with the knowledge, skills and experiences so that they can play an active and informed role in 21st Century Britain. We provide outstanding academic support and pastoral guidance so that our students can lead fulfilling and successful adult lives. 

We are proud to be a local school of choice for the community we serve. We encourage you to explore why Leigh Academy Halley is such an exciting and unique place to learn. If you feel that your child would benefit from joining us, and want to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us and visit us in person.

Ben Russell
Principal

Our Small Schools

Our small schools approach ensures that every student is known, understood and valued as an individual. They are made up of students from Years 7-11 and students are in a tutor group within their own year. Our small schools reflect the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) as a driving force across our academy; each small school being named after an inspirational leader in that particular field: (Annie) Easley, (Alan) Turing, (Rosalind) Franklin and (Stephen) Hawking.

Each small school has approximately 250 students, its own Head and Deputy Head of School, Director of Progress, Small School Manager and Administration Officer and a dedicated team of tutors. Every student is set challenging targets and all of the schools are comprehensive in their makeup.

Our small schools form strong relationships with students and families and are a source of both academic and pastoral support. They are the first port of call for any individual and families value having a specific named contact for communication.

Click here for more information

Our Provision

The academy benefits from major investment and refurbishment as a part of Leigh Academies Trust. Students are able to enjoy their global education, well suited for the 21st century, against the backdrop of an historic, celebrated building. Our facilities enable students to thrive, learning the very best of what has been thought and said. We want our students to experience their learning using quality resources and as such we have excellent IT facilities, spacious science laboratories, a modern sports centre, onsite playing fields, and new design and engineering centre with industry standard equipment. 

Students are able to enjoy their breaks and lunches in our academy restaurant or outside in designated spaces that provide comfortable social spaces. We have a space exclusively for Year 7s to use to support them in their transition to secondary school. Our well stocked library ensures our students have access to reading for study and leisure. 

There has been an unprecedented investment in our digital infrastructure to ensure that students are able to access information and online platforms to support their learning.

Our Curriculum

“My child enjoys coming to the academy every day. I am really pleased with the care and warmth of the staff.”
– Year 9 parent

Our curriculum prepares students to be the very best and compete with the very best. Our commitment to inspire students so that they can learn and achieve is delivered daily and inspires students to be inquisitive, eager to find out more. We want all of our students to leave with a comprehensive understanding of the world around them in order for them to compete on the global stage.

The curriculum is shaped by, and deeply rooted in, the strongest available evidence about how students learn and retain knowledge in the long term. We value the uniqueness of each subject we offer. We are committed to students engaging deeply and comprehensively with both substantive and disciplinary knowledge so that they achieve strong outcomes throughout each phase of the curriculum: the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7, 8 and 9; a two-year Key Stage 4 where students study a range of GCSEs and vocational qualifications in Years 10 and 11; and the International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP) in our Sixth Form. 

We are also aware that children and young people are growing up in an increasingly complex world and living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. In this environment, children and young people need to know how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.  Our daily tutor periods give our students the information they need to support them to develop healthy, nurturing relationships of all kinds, which also complements our values of respect, achievement, collaboration, integrity and resilience.

The majority of students remain at the academy for their Post 16 education. Our Sixth Form is a successful, warm and welcoming place, offering the International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP). We are very excited to be working with our link university, Canterbury Christ Church University. This, combined with extracurricular activities and personal development programmes, helps enhance applications to universities and future employers.

We ensure that all our students receive specialist support in terms of careers, future training and informed university choices, including a substantial guidance programme for UCAS applications. Students benefit from 1:1 mentoring opportunities through our relationship with The Tallow Chandlers Livery Company that has also provided significant investment in our Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) opportunities and enrichment through the new purpose-built Tallow Chandlers Engineering and Design Centre.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • GCSE
  • Vocational Qualifications

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • International Baccalaureate Careers Related Programme (IBCP)
  • Vocational Qualifications

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • English Literature and Language

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • English Literature and Language

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB English Language and Literature
  • GCSE English Resit

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Mathematics

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Mathematics

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB Mathematics
  • GCSE Mathematics Resit

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Sciences

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Combined Science
  • Triple Science

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB Biology
  • IB Physics
  • BTEC Diploma Applied Science

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Physical and Health Education

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Physical Education
    (Non-Examined)
  • BTEC Sport

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • BTEC Diploma Sport

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Geography
  • Global Citizenship
  • History

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Geography
  • Global Citizenship
  • History

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • BTEC Criminology
  • IB Geography
  • IB History
  • IB Psychology

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • French
  • Spanish

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • French
  • Spanish

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB French
  • IB Spanish

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Art
  • Drama
  • BTEC Music

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB Art
  • BTEC Performance Art

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • ICT
  • Technology

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • BTEC Business
  • Creative iMedia
  • Design Technology
  • BTEC Engineering
  • BTEC Food Technology

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • BTEC Business
  • BTEC Diploma Engineering
  • OCR ICT

Key Stage 3
Years 7-9

Key Stage 4
Years 10-11

Key Stage 5
Years 12-13

Curriculum Phase

  • International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)
  • GCSE
  • Vocational Qualifications
  • International Baccalaureate Careers Related Programme (IBCP)
  • Vocational Qualifications

Language and Literature

  • English Literature and Language
  • English Literature and Language
  • IB English Language and Literature
  • GCSE English Resit

Mathematics

  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • IB Mathematics
  • GCSE Mathematics Resit

Sciences

  • Sciences
  • Combined Science
  • Triple Science
  • IB Biology
  • IB Physics
  • BTEC Diploma Applied Science

Physical and Health Education

  • Physical and Health Education

  • Physical Education
    (Non-Examined)
  • BTEC Sport
  • BTEC Diploma Sport

Individuals and Societies

  • Geography
  • Global Citizenship
  • History
  • Geography
  • Global Citizenship
  • History
  • BTEC Criminology
  • IB Geography
  • IB History
  • IB Psychology

Language Acquisition

  • French
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Spanish
  • IB French
  • IB Spanish

Arts

  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Art
  • Drama
  • BTEC Music
  • IB Art
  • BTEC Performance Art

Design

  • ICT
  • Technology
  • BTEC Business
  • Creative iMedia
  • Design Technology
  • BTEC Engineering
  • BTEC Food Technology
  • BTEC Business
  • BTEC Diploma Engineering
  • OCR ICT

Digital Learning

Leigh Academies Trust’s vision to transform lives and enable every member of the Trust’s family to thrive in an ever-changing world is borne through our commitment to develop powerful digital citizens of the future.

We recognise that the development of independent learning habits is critical to student success and that by having access to digital technology students can use the varied learning tools and online resources available to help them realise their full potential. Students are introduced to a variety of programmes, tools and platforms throughout their educational journey that will enable them to enhance their learning both inside and outside of the classroom. 

We understand the importance of being digitally literate in our current world and therefore we are committed to equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead in the digital world.

Students enjoy using their Chromebook to support their studies and stimulate further research and wider learning.

Click here for more information

Home Learning

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing our students with the very best learning experiences, we set high-quality and meaningful homework tasks each week.  

Our approach to teaching at the academy is shaped by the best possible evidence about how students learn best.  Research shows that students benefit academically when they engage in completing homework in a sustained and successful manner: recapping learning from their lessons; increasing the likelihood of embedding knowledge in their long-term memory; applying their learning to extended practice; and affording the opportunity to explore topics which builds upon their classroom-based learning. In addition, the completion of homework helps students develop their skills as inquisitive, organised and disciplined thinkers – all key aspects of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile. 

All of our students’ physical classrooms are mirrored by a Google Classroom, where they can access resources remotely to complete home learning tasks that will accelerate their progress. Parents can monitor their child’s engagement with their homework through the Google Guardian application.

Click here for more information

Enrichment and Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities have a positive impact on academic success and our enrichment programme which runs in the morning and after school goes beyond academic, technical, and vocational pursuits. Our programme promotes students’ overall development by allowing them to explore and discover their interests and talents. We ensure that we provide clubs that increase an understanding of how to stay physically healthy, eat healthily, and live an active lifestyle, and we provide ample opportunities for students to be active during the school day. Our extra-curricular activities range from drama clubs, sports clubs, STEM club, photography club, coding club to chess clubs.

All parents and students are signed up to SOCs, an online platform which allows parents and students to register for the activities in which they are interested. This up-to-date information allows parents to see where their child is each day, knowing that they are engaged in an extracurricular club. 

We offer before and after school study support sessions for our Year 11 and Year 13 students to support them with their learning.

Click here to see the extracurricular activities on offer

Special Educational Needs

“We were impressed by Leigh Academy Halley’s rejuvenation and commitment to the children in creating a safe and happy environment for them.”
– Prospective parent

We pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive community of learners, where everybody is supported to learn, inspire and achieve. Support for students with learning difficulties or more complex needs is provided by a dedicated team of staff. We meet the needs of students who require additional support with their academic or social and emotional development, and are proud of our successful SEND provision, including The Infinity Hub (Designated Special Provision). Our Infinity Hub has a specialism for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and this provision forms an integral part of our academy community. 

We offer a variety of different interventions that are tailored to individual needs and progress is closely tracked and monitored. We pride ourselves on developing successful partnerships between home and the academy in order for every student with SEND to achieve their potential and be fully included in all aspects of academy life.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • GCSE
  • Vocational Qualifications

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • International Baccalaureate Careers Related Programme (IBCP)
  • Vocational Qualifications

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • English Literature and Language

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • English Literature and Language

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB English Language and Literature
  • GCSE English Resit

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Mathematics

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Mathematics

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB Mathematics
  • GCSE Mathematics Resit

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Sciences

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Combined Science
  • Triple Science

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB Biology
  • IB Physics
  • BTEC Diploma Applied Science

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Physical and Health Education

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Physical Education
    (Non-Examined)
  • BTEC Sport

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • BTEC Diploma Sport

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Geography
  • Global Citizenship
  • History

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Geography
  • Global Citizenship
  • History

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • BTEC Criminology
  • IB Geography
  • IB History
  • IB Psychology

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • French
  • Spanish

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • French
  • Spanish

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB French
  • IB Spanish

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • Art
  • Drama
  • BTEC Music

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • IB Art
  • BTEC Performance Art

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

  • ICT
  • Technology

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

  • BTEC Business
  • Creative iMedia
  • Design Technology
  • BTEC Engineering
  • BTEC Food Technology

Key Stage 3 (Years 12-13)

  • BTEC Business
  • BTEC Diploma Engineering
  • OCR ICT

Transition

We understand that the transition from primary to secondary school is a huge step in the lives of children and their families.

We have a full programme of workshops which children can attend before joining the academy in addition to our Induction day in July.  We also offer a summer school prior to your child joining us in Year 7, providing the opportunity to be introduced to staff and students.

Our Open Mornings allow families to visit the academy as a working institution and our Open Evenings allow families to come and meet staff and discuss the range of subjects and opportunities on offer.

All students who wish to apply for a place at the academy must sit a Fair Banding test to ensure students across the full ability range are admitted. The dates of the test are published on the admissions page.

Click here to go to our admissions page Click here to view our year 6 transition information

Reports, Assessment and Monitoring

Our schedule of assessment, throughout each module (half term), ensures that student progress is regularly monitored and reviewed. Additional support and intervention can be swiftly put in place if necessary with extension work provided for those who have made exceptional progress. 

Parents receive their child’s progress report in line with their qualifications specification. In Key Stage 3, two reports are sent home per year, with information corresponding to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme assessment specification. Key Stage 4 and 5 students receive three progress reports per year.

Awards and Praise

Our awards system recognises and rewards student achievements, small school achievements, local community achievements and encourages students to exceed their targets.

We celebrate our students’ achievements through parental emails, small school assemblies, whole academy assemblies, through subject recognition, breakfast with the Principal and parents as well as reward vouchers. It is important that students are recognised for a variety of positives, not just the academic, to ensure that all can achieve.

Uniform

At Leigh Academy Halley, we believe that high expectations and standards around uniform, conduct and appearance form the basis for students to show pride in their learning, in their academy and in themselves. As a result, students strive to achieve the highest standards academically, thus securing the best life chances.

The uniform is differentiated with colours of each small school shown on the academy tie.

Our Sixth Form students wear business attire in order to ensure a professional and mature approach to their studies in addition to being the academy’s inspirational role models.

Click here for more information

The Tallow Chandlers

Leigh Academy Halley is supported by The Tallow Chandlers Livery Company who have a specific interest in supporting our development of a strong STEM curriculum, preparing Halley students for the ever changing world of work.

The Company has already supported two projects at the academy called ‘Be the Change’ by Humanutopia and ‘Safe Havens’ by For Jimmy. The projects focused on improving the personal, social and academic development of the students. The projects have had a positive impact on the students and will be delivered again in the new academic year.

Annually, the Company invites selected students and the Principal to the Tallow Chandlers Hall for the Education Awards Luncheon. The students enjoy ‘the lovely lunch, tour of the beautiful hall, and learning about the London Guilds and Livery Companies’.

The Company provides mentoring, seminars, university bursaries and awards all of which serve to benefit our students and enrich their educational experience.