Photo of John Dixon, Principal at Leigh Academy Bexley.

Welcome from the Principal

John Dixon

I am very privileged to be the Principal of Leigh Academy Bexley.  Our vision is that regardless of background and regardless of their starting point, students will leave us as kind, resilient, independent learners with the right behaviour and attitudes to ensure continuous progress and achievement, ready for the next stage of their education and beyond. We want our students to be successful in their chosen careers, in their relationships and in their interaction with the world. We aspire for Leigh Academy Bexley to be a highly effective and truly inclusive school, reflecting the vibrant, diverse, and dynamic community that we serve. We believe in connecting with our local community and championing our local area.

We believe in providing our young people with an education; one that unlocks curiosity, ignites ambition, and forges a social conscience, equipping our students with the tools they need to have an impact on the world around them. Our teachers lead with professionalism and scholarship; they are experts in their field. All of us are part of a warm and caring family of staff, Governors and Trust colleagues who have the highest ambition and a deep hunger to learn. Our staff receives regular, first-class training to achieve mastery of their craft, amazing support to flourish every day, and a sense of shared moral purpose about the best job in the world. 

At Leigh Academy Bexley students join one of the five colleges, each with a team of staff, dedicated to helping them reach their full potential. The college communities are vertical and have students in tutor groups according to their year group; allocation is not determined by academic performance. Students form a strong relationship with their tutor as a first point of contact. Students meet their tutors every day and there is a well-planned programme for tutor time which includes assemblies, housekeeping, values and sex and relationships education alongside a well-structured careers, advice and guidance scheme. The entire Academy community, including the sixth form, has regular whole Academy assemblies to share whole Academy messages and values. Students’ personal development is also promoted through amazing life experiences which are part of a wide range of enriching extracurricular clubs, cultural activities and our Values curriculum.  An increasingly broad programme of extra-curricular opportunities is offered to all students, extending the curriculum beyond the classroom and providing students with increased confidence and building resilience. We aim to enhance the life chances of every student, an ambition which goes beyond exams and league tables alone.

Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) is one of the largest and most successful multi academy trusts in the region with 31 academies in Kent, Medway, Bexley, and Greenwich. It has the capacity to provide significant and immediate support in all areas required so that Leigh Academy Bexley can enjoy the benefits of being part of a wide local educational network.

Leigh Academy Bexley will receive unprecedented investment and refurbishment as part of joining Leigh Academies Trust, providing excellent learning facilities. All students within the LAT are given access to a personal Chromebook, which they use every day in lessons and at home, to support their learning and all teaching staff have Google Educator certification.

Being part of the LAT will ensure that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and experiences so that they can play an active and informed role in modern 21st Century Britain. We provide outstanding academic support and pastoral guidance, so that students can lead fulfilling and successful adult lives: inquisitive, articulate and internationally engaged, our students are defined by their boundless thirst for knowledge, self-improvement and learning.