Leigh Academies Trust Explained

Location:	Carnation Road, Strood, Rochester. ME2 2SX
Type:	Multi Academy Trust
Established:	2008
Key People:	Frank Green, Simon Beamish
Footnotes:	UID 3725

Leigh Academies Trust is a multi-academy trust, formed of 31 schools based in the Kent, Medway and South East London areas.^[1] Its Head Office is on the same site as Strood Academy, housing its Executive Team and central teams including Finance, Estates, Marketing, HR, Engagement and IT.^[2]

The trust has a number of subsidiaries such as LAT Apprenticeships, which runs a number of apprenticeship schemes and LAT Enterprises which generates income which is fed back into the trust's academies.

History

Leigh Academies Trust was formed in 2008, linking the Leigh Academy and Longfield Academy, under a single governing body with Frank Green CBE as Chief Executive. In November 2013 Simon Beamish was appointed as Chief Executive, replacing Green who was appointed National Schools Commissioner by the Department for Education.^[3]

Over the next ten years the trust grew steadily and in January 2019 merged with The Williamson Trust,^[4] absorbing five additional schools.

Schools

Leigh Academies Trust oversees:^[5]

North Kent Cluster

• Cherry Orchard Primary Academy
• Dartford Primary Academy
• Hartley Primary Academy
• Leigh Academy
• The Leigh UTC
• Longfield Academy
• Milestone Academy
• Wilmington Academy

Medway Cluster

• Ebbsfleet Academy
• High Halstow Primary Academy
• The Hundred of Hoo Academy
• Leigh Academy Rainham
• Peninsula East Primary Academy
• Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
• Strood Academy

Central Kent Cluster

• Bearsted Primary Academy
• * Horsmonden Primary Academy
• Langley Park Primary Academy
  • Leigh Academy Tonbridge Marden Primary Academy
• Mascalls Academy
• Molehill Primary Academy
• Oaks Primary Academy
• Paddock Wood Primary Academy
• Snowfields Academy
• Tree Tops Primary Academy

South East London Cluster

• Eastcote Primary Academy
• The Halley Academy
• Leigh Academy Bexley
• Leigh Academy Blackheath
• Stationers' Crown Woods Academy

Future

As of June 2022 there no announced plans to open new academies or take on existing schools, however there are plans to convert High Weald Academy to an extension of Snowfields Academy from September 2022.

Also planned is the conversion of Hayesbrook Academy to a coeducational school, to include girls, from September 2023. The academy will then be rebranded Leigh Academy Tonbridge.

Executive team

• Simon Beamish, Chief Executive^[6]
• Steve Avis, Chief Financial Officer^[7]
• Stephane Vernoux, Chief Information Officer^[8]
• Richard Taylor, People Director^[9]
• Phil Whittall, Estates Director
• Debbie Biggenden, Academies Director (Central Kent and Specialist Academies)^[10]
• Tracey Trusler, Academies Director (North-West Kent and South-East London)
• Emma Elwin, Academies Director (Medway and Ebbsfleet)

Notes and References

1. Web site: LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST - GOV.UK . get-information-schools.service.gov.uk . 11 January 2020 . en.
2. Web site: Leigh Academies Trust - Contact Us.
3. Web site: Leigh Academies Trust: Executive Team.
4. Web site: Leigh Academies Trust and The Williamson Trust - Merger (Takeover) Agreed. 11 November 2018. Kent Independent Education Advice.
5. Web site: Leigh Academies Trust: Our Academies.
6. Web site: New Leigh Academies Trust head Simon Beamish plans to expand into Greenwich. 13 January 2014. News Shopper.
7. Web site: Steve Avis. LiFT Partnership.
8. Web site: News. www.mass.co.uk. 2019-01-03.
9. Web site: Project reveals new way to combat stress and anxiety in teachers. QA Education Magazine. en. 2019-01-03.
10. Web site: Appointment of Academies Directors. LAT. 2019-02-27. Leigh Academies Trust. en. 2020-02-22.