Sir Geoffrey Leigh
The School acquired the name The Leigh City Technology College in 1990 when it opened as one of the original 15 City Technology Colleges, through the generous personal sponsorship of Sir Geoffrey Leigh. He was at that time Chairman and Managing Director of Allied London Properties PLC, a company quoted on the Stock Exchange, engaged in the development of Commercial, Industrial, Office Buildings and House building. Through his charitable work for many organizations in education, business, and health, both in the private and public sectors, he has helped organizations to grow, to become more effective and to raise large sums of money for the benefit of their Communities and the Country.
Sir Geoffrey became the first Chairman of the College in 1990 and retired in 2006. He worked tirelessly to help the fledgling CTC develop and has taken a strong personal interest in its growth, development and success throughout his tenure of office. He always gave the Principal full support and was always keen to know how well the students were doing. He gave strong personal support to many individuals that has enabled them to make the very best of their talents.
Although, retired, he is still a member of The Leigh Technology Academy Trust and continues to take an interest in all that goes on. There are now many thousands of young people in the Dartford area whose life chances have been transformed by the contributions of Sir Geoffrey to The Leigh Technology Academy.
The opening of The Leigh CTC, Dartford, 1990
Just over 30 years ago, The Leigh City Technology College, became one of the first CTC’s in the country. It was generously endowed by Sir Geoffrey Leigh and became a leading school in the region with a powerful ethos and curriculum rationale. The Leigh CTC went on to become The Leigh Academy and later gave birth to Leigh Academies Trust.
The official opening ceremony over 30 years ago was conducted by the Prime Minister. This collection of photos and clippings from the time recall the event.
