Leigh UTC Dartford

Strengths

• Exceptional leadership and governance create a culture of very high ambition and continuous improvement.
• Staff are exceptionally well supported with professional development, workload and wellbeing.
• Trust and governance provide robust accountability and expert support, including an employer advisory board.
• Sixth-form provision is exceptional, with students acting as inspirational role models.
• Sixth-form students mentor Year 7 pupils and help younger pupils develop literacy.
• The sixth-form curriculum is highly ambitious and prepares students comprehensively for employment, higher education or apprenticeships.
• Students achieve highly and progress to impressive onward destinations.
• Pupils make rapid progress from below-average starting points to achieve in line with national averages by Year 11.
• Pupils with SEND make great gains because of careful, precise support.
• Disadvantaged pupils' achievement is rising and gaps with peers are closing.
• Curriculum and teaching are strong, with expert staff, skilful questioning and effective feedback.
• The curriculum is broad, deep and shaped by employer involvement to be relevant and innovative.
• Inclusion is highly effective for pupils with significant barriers, including refugees and pupils with SEMH needs.
• Additional funding is used judiciously and has a positive impact on disadvantaged pupils.
• Attendance is improving, with more pupils attending very regularly and persistent absence falling.
• Pupils' behaviour and attitudes are excellent; bullying and poor behaviour are not tolerated.
• Suspensions are increasingly rare and behaviour incidents have fallen markedly.
• Personal development and wellbeing provision is rich and taught by specialists.
• Pupils learn about healthy relationships, safety, respect and British values.
• Enrichment opportunities are wide-ranging and well attended, with support for pupils facing barriers.
• Careers education is strong and gives all pupils valuable work experience.
• Safeguarding standards are met, and pupils feel safe and well cared for.

Areas for Improvement

• Overall attendance, although improving, still needs to rise further so all pupils benefit fully from the school's provision.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools