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Leigh Academy Blackheath

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 11 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2018
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification
Taught languages Spanish, French, German
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Leigh Academy Blackheath is a comprehensive 11–18 academy located on Old Dover Road, Blackheath, London SE3 8SY. It delivers the IB Middle Years Programme for Key Stage 3 and the Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme at post-16, alongside a British curriculum and BTEC options. The school teaches in English and provides Spanish as a language acquisition. KS3 uses IBMYP across Language and Literature, Maths, Science, Geography, History, RE, Arts, Design and Physical Education, with Accelerated Reader and a LAB Learner programme supporting enquiry and independent study. KS4 aligns with the EBacc framework. LAB16 offers around 20 Level 3 courses and includes an Oxbridge progression programme. Facilities include science labs, design technology and ICT spaces, a professional kitchen, a theatre, music and drama spaces, a library, a sports hall and MUGA, and lift access. LAB is part of Leigh Academies Trust and operates as an IB World School. Wellbeing and community involvement.

Old Dover Road, Blackheath, London, SE3 8SY

The Essentials

Leigh Academy Blackheath has instruction in English.

Location
Leigh Academy Blackheath is located on Old Dover Road, Blackheath, SE3 8SY, London. It sits in the Blackheath Standard neighbourhood within the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The bespoke new campus opened in September 2020 to deliver Leigh Academy Blackheath's human-scale education model on a purpose-built campus. LAB16, the post-16 provision, forms part of Leigh Academy Blackheath on the same campus.

Stages
11-18; comprehensive secondary school with a Sixth Form and IB World School

Type
comprehensive secondary school

Additional learning support
SEN provision follows a graduated approach (Universal, Targeted and Specialist). The SEN team is led by the SENCo, Ms S Williams. Support information includes contacts via send@blackheath.latrust.org.uk and collaboration with external professionals; policies and guidance are available on the LAB SEN page.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

School day structure
The school gate opens at 8:00 am. Students are advised to travel by public transport, walk or cycle; there is bicycle storage on site, and car drop-off is discouraged near the academy entrance.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a full uniform: navy blazer with academy crest, navy 50/50 cotton/acrylic V‑neck jumper with crest, steel grey trousers or knee‑length pleated skirt, white button‑up shirt, plain navy or grey socks/tights, and black leather shoes (trainers or boots not permitted). An academy tie is worn. The three colleges are identified by red, turquoise and green colours: Fawcett, Sancho and Airy. PE kit includes a LAB sports polo with crest, shorts/skort, LAB tracksuit bottoms or navy alternative, LAB sports jumper and navy socks; trainers are not appropriate for PE. PE uniform is compulsory and should be brought to every PE lesson.

Food Options
A range of hot and cold foods is available to purchase on site at Cucina before school, at break and at lunch; pupils must stay on site and may bring a packed lunch if preferred. Leigh Academy Blackheath operates a cashless system (ParentPay) for dinners; Free School Meals are available to eligible pupils through Greenwich Council.

House System
The academy operates a 'schools within schools' model with three colleges: Sancho, Fawcett and Airy. Each college is led by a Head of College (an academy Vice Principal) with its own pastoral, academic and administrative teams. When full, each college will accommodate about 300 students; colleges are named after local figures and linked by shared values.

Governance and Ownership
Leigh Academy Blackheath is part of Leigh Academies Trust; governance and financial information are provided by the Trust, including details about academy governors and the structure of governance.
Fees
Application fees

- There are no application or tuition charges to apply for a place at Leigh Academy Blackheath; applications for Year 7 places are made through the local authority common application process.

Tuition fees by year group (per term and per academic year)

- Year 7: Per term GBP 0. Per academic year (3 terms) GBP 0.
- Year 8: Per term GBP 0. Per academic year (3 terms) GBP 0.
- Year 9: Per term GBP 0. Per academic year (3 terms) GBP 0.
- Year 10: Per term GBP 0. Per academic year (3 terms) GBP 0.
- Year 11: Per term GBP 0. Per academic year (3 terms) GBP 0.
- Year 12 (LAB16 / Sixth Form): Per term GBP 0. Per academic year (3 terms) GBP 0.
- Year 13 (LAB16 / Sixth Form): Per term GBP 0. Per academic year (3 terms) GBP 0.

Leigh Academy Blackheath is a state-funded free school and does not charge tuition for education provided during academy hours. Any statutory examination entries for which the academy has prepared the student are not charged.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The academy operates a cashless payments system. Payments for meals, trips, clubs and other payable items are collected via the ParentPay system; cash top-ups are available at local PayPoint stores where offered. Login details for the e-payment system are issued on a pupil's first day. Payments for optional activities are collected in advance and parental agreement is required before the academy provides chargeable optional extras.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- Not applicable. Leigh Academy Blackheath is a day secondary school and does not provide boarding accommodation.

Other costs or fees

- School meals: Students may purchase food on site via the academy catering service; parents pay through ParentPay unless the child is eligible for free school meals. A published food tariff is used for meal pricing.
- Uniform and dress code: A full school uniform is required; parents are responsible for purchasing required items (blazer, ties, trousers/skirts, PE kit, etc.). Official suppliers list uniform items for sale.
- Optional trips and residential visits: Charges may be made for board, lodging, travel, entrance fees, insurance and other costs for optional trips or residential visits. Where an activity is mainly during academy hours the academy may charge for board and lodging; for activities outside academy hours the full cost to each student may be charged. Parents' voluntary contributions may be requested for some activities.
- Music and specialist tuition: Charges may apply for music or vocal tuition where this is an optional extra and not part of the national curriculum.
- Examination fees: No charge is made for entry to prescribed public examinations when the academy has prepared the student, but charges may apply in specific cases (e.g., a student is entered for an exam the academy has not prepared them for, a re-sit for which the academy has already paid the initial fee, or where a student fails to attend without good reason).
- Consumables, equipment and optional ownership of materials: The academy may charge where parents wish to own materials (for example, projects, workbooks or equipment) supplied as part of a curriculum activity.
- Liability for damage or negligence: The academy will seek payment for the cost of wilful or negligent damage to academy property caused by a pupil.
- Sixth-form (16–19) specific support: Eligible 16–19 students may apply for financial support from the 16–19 Bursary Fund to cover items such as travel, essential books, equipment, or costs related to participation in study programmes. Payment arrangements and conditions are set out in the academy's 16–19 bursary guidance.

Refund information

- Voluntary contributions and optional extra payments: contributions are voluntary and there is no obligation to pay; the academy may cancel an activity if insufficient contributions are received. Remission (full or partial waiver) of charges for board and lodging on residential visits is available in full to parents in receipt of qualifying state benefits; the academy may also consider hardship cases. Parents may apply in confidence for remission. The academy sets charges in line with the Trust charging and remissions arrangements.

Fee payment options

- ParentPay (online card payments) is the primary, cashless method for payments for meals, trips, clubs and other chargeable items. ParentPay supports secure online card payments. Cash payments for ParentPay top-ups are possible at local stores displaying the PayPoint logo. These are the published payment routes used for billed items.
Academics

Leigh Academy Blackheath teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), British Curriculum, BTEC Qualification for students aged 11 to 18.

Curriculum
KS3 is three years in length and delivered through the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP). LAB provides the full range of National Curriculum subjects at KS3, including Language and Literature, Maths, Science, Language Acquisition (Spanish), Individuals and Societies (Geography, History and RE), the Arts (Art, Drama and Music), Design (DT and Computing) and Physical Education. A weekly LAB Learner programme supports IBMYP approaches to learning, and there is a 30-minute daily reading expectation monitored via Accelerated Reader. The KS4 curriculum is built on these IB-inspired principles, embedded at KS3, and aligns with the EBacc framework to widen opportunities in further education and employment. LAB16 offers Post-16 education with 20 Level 3 courses across the IB Diploma Programme and IB Career-related Programme, and includes an Oxbridge progression programme to support top university applications.

Exam Results
GCSE data for 2025 shows 88.1% of students entered the English Baccalaureate; 53% achieved grade 4 or above; 32% achieved grade 5 or above; 24.3% achieved grade 7+. English and Maths (combined) saw 79.1% achieve 4+ and 60.5% achieve 5+. The 2024 Attainment 8 score was 53.5. In 2024, EBacc entries were 92%; 53% achieved 4+; 33% achieved 5+; 17.5% achieved 7+. Post-16 results published for LAB16 show the inaugural IB results with 89% of grades at 4+ and a value-added score of 0.21.

Higher Education Progression
A dedicated Oxbridge progression programme supports LAB16 students seeking admission to top universities, with a broader university and apprenticeships pathway and a University & Apprenticeships resource area available within LAB16.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The academy provides a PHSE curriculum that enhances students' emotional and social knowledge and wellbeing. Assemblies and enrichment activities support social and moral development. In-class mentoring supports students with SEMH and there are targeted SEMH interventions. LAB Learner weekly sessions and IBMYP-aligned approaches to learning underpin SMSC within tutor time. The curriculum emphasizes positive attitudes to learning and respect for others as indicators of success.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Leigh Academy Blackheath identifies and supports students with SEND using an Assess-Plan-Do-Review approach. The four broad areas of need are Communication and Interaction; Cognition and Learning; Social, Emotional and Mental Health; and Sensory/Physical. The SEND team includes the SENCO (Sarah Williams), a Deputy SENCO, three HLTA staff, and a SEND Link Governor; the SENCO can be contacted at send@leighacademyblackheath.org.uk. Students on the SEND register receive personalised plans and in-class support, with access to external agencies when required. The academy works with the Local Authority and other agencies to provide multi-professional support and has transition arrangements for joining or transferring.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as an additional language is recognised as a factor in identifying SEND. Language learning is provided through Language Acquisition (Spanish) within the Curriculum. Inclusive practices support learners who are learning English as an additional language alongside mainstream subjects. A Language Policy is published among the academy's policies.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing is supported through a PHSE curriculum and in-class wellbeing interventions. SEMH targeted interventions and wellbeing sessions focus on developing social, moral, spiritual and cultural awareness. Assemblies and enrichment activities contribute to emotional and social development, alongside mentoring and SEMH support.

Safeguarding
The safeguarding team includes a Medical Lead and an Online Safety Lead, and a safeguarding governor. The academy follows Keeping Children Safe in Education and maintains a Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy (2025-26) and an Anti-Bullying Policy. Concerns should be raised with designated safeguarding contacts or via safeguarding@blackheath.latrust.org.uk. The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) provides professional referral channels during office hours. Online safety is promoted and students are encouraged to talk about worries and have their concerns taken seriously.
Parent Experience

History
Leigh Academy Blackheath opened in September 2018 as Leigh Academy Blackheath, a secondary free school. It was based temporarily in Victoria House on Shooters Hill Road while the new site at Old Dover Road was prepared for occupation. The academy is part of Leigh Academies Trust. It is located in Blackheath, Greater London, and operates as an 11–18 mixed free secondary school and sixth form. LAB16, the post-16 provision, is a brand-new campus offering the IB Diploma Programme and the IB Career-related Programme, and LAB16 is an IB World School.

Community
The Leigh Academy Blackheath community is active with regular news, letters and events for students and families. LAB hosts events such as LAB16 Open Evenings for prospective sixth form entry and Year 12 Parents and Carers Consultation Evenings. World Book Day activities and fundraising events, such as Walk a Mile for Greenwich, are part of community life. LAB16 fosters a global IB community with orientation days and a dedicated IB programme.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Leigh Academy Blackheath has a teaching block with general classrooms and specialist facilities including science labs, design technology and information technology spaces, plus offices. It includes a fully fitted professional kitchen and dining area. The main hall block contains the reception, music rooms, a drama studio and an assembly hall, with internal sports facilities on a vinyl-surfaced floor and a MUGA. The campus also houses a theatre, an activity studio and a drama studio, and provides lift access to all three floors along with a range of specialist curriculum facilities on site.

Sports Facilities
The campus includes a dedicated sports hall and changing facilities with showers. Internal sports facilities feature a vinyl floor, and a MUGA provides additional space for a range of activities.

Academic Facilities
General classrooms and ICT suites are spread across the blocks. Specialist curriculum facilities include science laboratories, design technology and information technology spaces. There are art rooms, music classrooms and rehearsal spaces, including a theatre, a drama studio and an activity studio. A library, food technology area and catering spaces (School Kitchen Prep and Restaurant) support practical learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Music rooms and drama spaces support performances and rehearsals, while the theatre enables productions. A dedicated sports hall and MUGA support school sport and physical activity; Leigh Academy Blackheath has been recognised for its commitment to sport with a School Games Gold Award.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The LAB Learner aligns with the Middle Years Programme and develops metacognition and independent study. It builds research skills, information integrity, and critical thinking. Community and service are woven into learning, and a Philosophy and Ethics unit explores robotics, the future of AI, and virtual reality.

Arts & Creative
Music is part of the Performing Arts program. Performing Arts aims to develop students as creative, confident performing artists through performing, composing, devising and appraising. The Arts programme has Artsmark Gold Award recognition.

Cultural & Language
Language Acquisition (Spanish) is taught as part of the curriculum. The language curriculum supports cross-cultural understanding and communicative skills.

Social & Hobbies
The academy runs Extra-Curricular Clubs and Societies. Sports Clubs operate after school and require students to change into a LAB PE uniform. After-school activities are available to students across year groups.

Community & Service
LAB Learner includes Community & service, introducing students to social responsibility through school and local engagement.

Leadership & Professional
Student Government is being established with representatives from tutor groups and meets weekly to engage with current events. LAB16 Wellbeing Ambassadors lead wellbeing initiatives and activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sports clubs and fitness activities run after school, with a LAB PE uniform requirement. Wellbeing ambassadors support mental health and wellbeing initiatives, including events around World Mental Health Day.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include Spanish, French and German. Spanish is taught as the Language Acquisition subject at Key Stage 3. At LAB16, French, German and Spanish are offered for the sixth form. In the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, Spanish, French and German are available, with Ab Initio entries for French, German and Spanish.
Reputation

Awards
Artsmark Gold Award badge – Arts Council England recognition for arts education.

Accreditations
The school has International Baccalaureate (IB) – IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), IB Diploma Programme (DP) and IB Career-related Programme (CP).
Admissions

Admissions
1. The academy has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 180 for entry into Year 7. Leigh Academies Trust is the Admissions Authority. Applications for places are made through the home Local Authority, in accordance with the Royal Borough of Greenwich co-ordinated admissions scheme and timetable. All applicants are invited to sit a fair banding test; the test is designed to ensure a fully comprehensive range of abilities and is not pass/fail; those not sitting the test are prioritised after those who have sat. The date of the test is published by the academy. 2. Post-16 admissions (LAB16) have a Sixth Form PAN of 125 places per year group (250 total). Internal applicants who meet the minimum academic entry criteria are admitted; external applicants may be admitted if places are available. If 125 or more Leigh Academy Blackheath students meet the admission criteria to enter Year 12, external applicants are not considered. 3. Oversubscription and priority: before oversubscription criteria are applied, Looked After Children or previously Looked After Children and students with a Statement of SEN or an EHCP naming LAB are admitted. After that, priority is given in this order: (1) siblings currently attending the academy; (2) acute medical or social needs; (3) child of a staff member; (4) distance from home. A tie-breaker is used if required. 4. Late applications: the academy follows the Royal Greenwich Local Authority policy for late applications. 5. Waiting lists and in-year admissions: a waiting list is maintained in all ability bands for the relevant year; the waiting list is ranked according to the published oversubscription criteria and is used when there are more applications than places. In-year admissions follow Greenwich arrangements. 6. Appeals: parents may appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel if a place is refused. 7. Open events and offers: an Open Event is held in the autumn term; applications are submitted to the academy by the required deadline; offers for LAB16 are conditional on meeting the grades required for enrolment; where grades are achieved, enrolment takes place after the relevant examination results.

Scholarships
16-19 Bursary Fund: The academy offers a 16-19 Bursary to help cover costs that can be barriers to participation in studies (e.g., travel, essential books, equipment, clothing) and may cover costs for work experience, university open days and interviews, or the UCAS application fee. Eligibility is based on: (a) Vulnerable Group Bursary criteria (e.g., being in care, receiving certain benefits, or specific disability-related allowances) or (b) Leigh Academy Blackheath's Discretionary Bursary criteria (e.g., household income below £25,000 or an EHCP). Applications must be completed and submitted (forms issued at enrolment or on request) by the stated deadline; evidence of income is required. Payments may be made as regular instalments or as reimbursements for costs. Payments may be withheld if attendance and behaviour expectations are not met. To continue receiving bursary payments, students must meet the set conditions (punctuality, minimum attendance, dress code, and timely completion of assignments). Changes in circumstances should be reported. For more information, contact LAB16@blackheath.latrust.org.uk. A copy of the 16-19 Bursary Policy is available on the academy's policies page.

Waitlist
Waiting list: the academy maintains a waiting list for the relevant academic year and this operates when there are more applications than places. The waiting list is managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich admissions team until August 31 and transfers to the academy on 1 September; the waiting list continues to operate for the full academic year. Parents can request their child be placed on the waiting list after an unsuccessful application; applicants on the waiting list will undertake the fair banding test and be placed in an ability band. Waiting lists are ranked in line with the published oversubscription criteria, and no additional factors are considered. If a place becomes available, it is offered to the next eligible applicant in the appropriate band; if no suitable candidate exists in that band, the place may be offered to the next candidate in an adjacent band. To stay on the waiting list for the following academic year, a new application is required at the start of the year. Looked After Children and those allocated a place under the local authority's Fair Access Protocol take precedence.
School Events
The school has not added events
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