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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Strong standardURN 140987

Leigh UTC Dartford

University technical college · Dartford · DA1 5TF

Ages 11–18 · 691 pupils · Kent

School website

Ofsted

Strong standard

Attainment 8

40.8

Overall absence

7.2%

Admissions demand

0.83 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-06-02

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceExceptional

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.35
−20+2
Attainment 840.8
English & maths grade 5+32%
English & maths grade 4+59%
EBacc entry4%

EBacc APS: 3.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)23.0%
Unauthorised2.2%
Authorised absence
5.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.8%
Enrolments in measure
652

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.83 · Often has places

1st preferences

67

Places offered

103

1st-preference offers

67

Total preferences (any rank)
272
Preferred offers (top 3)
82
Applications from outside LA
38
Offers to outside-LA applicants
16

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill72%

691 pupils · 960 places

Pupils on roll
691
Boys / girls
529 / 162
School capacity
960
Capacity fill
691 / 960 (72%)
Free school meals
32.9%
FSM pupils
175
Gender
Mixed
School type
University technical college

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
Leigh Academies Trust
Headteacher
Mr Kevin Watson

Location

Address
Brunel Way
Postcode
DA1 5TF
Town
Dartford
County
Kent
Local authority
Kent
District
Dartford
Constituency
Dartford
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed university technical college (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Dartford, Kent, 691 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form. Free school meals: 32.9%.

Open schools in Dartford
35
Secondary schools in Dartford
9
Academies among open schools in Dartford
69% (24)
Open schools in DA1
22
Secondary in DA1
6
Open schools in Kent LA
713
Secondary in Kent LA
100

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in DartfordNear DA1

  • Dartford Grammar School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dartford · DA1 2HW · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att878.4
    • P81.1
    • EM5+98%
    • Absence4.7%

    1.3 miles away

  • Stone Lodge School

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Dartford · DA2 6FY · Kent

    Ages 11–19

    • Att844.9
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence9.4%

    1.4 miles away

  • Dartford Grammar School for Girls

    Ofsted: Exceptional

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dartford · DA1 2NT · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att875.3
    • P80.8
    • EM5+99%
    • Absence4.3%

    1.4 miles away

  • Harris Academy Riverside

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Free schools · Secondary

    Purfleet · RM19 1QY · Thurrock

    Ages 11–18

    • Att849.6
    • P80.2
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence5.9%

    1.5 miles away

  • Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Dartford · DA1 1QE · Kent

    Ages 11–19

    • Att844.5
    • P80.1
    • EM5+37%
    • Absence9.2%

    1.7 miles away

  • Haberdashers' Crayford Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Dartford · DA1 4RS · Bexley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.3
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+43%
    • Absence9.9%

    1.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Kevin Watson
Telephone
01322626600
Website
https://leighutcdartford.org.uk/

Official links