How to apply
You must apply on the Secondary Common Application Form (SCAF) via Kent LEA Online
The school at the top of the list is regarded as your first preference. In order to have the best chance of securing a place at Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, we would highly recommend that you place Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy as your first preference.
Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy also uses a Fair Ability Banding Assessment in order to apply our criteria. Parents/Carers are able to register students for this assessment by completing the online form. It is essential that this form is completed by the same closing date as for the SCAF, Thursday 31st October 2024. If you are unable to access the online form, please collect a Fair Ability Banding Form from our reception at the address below:
Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy
Green Street Green Road
Dartford
Kent
DA1 1QE
Students who name Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy will be invited for a test as part of the national process of ‘fair banding’. This is not a pass or fail assessment, it just ensures that children across the full ability range are admitted.
Open Events for September 2026 Admissions
We invite you to visit us and look at our fantastic facilities, and to speak with key staff and students about the opportunities we offer. Our Year 5 Open Mornings take place on Wednesday 25th June and Thursday 26th June. Please click below to book – spaces are limited.
Wednesday 25th June 2025
Thursday 26th June 2025
Fair Banding Test for September 2025 Admissions
The Fair Banding Test will be held on Saturday 16th November 2024. We will be holding three sessions, 9am, 11:15am and 1:15pm.
Please note booking for the test has now closed.
In Year Admissions
To apply for a place at Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy in any year group, applicants will need to complete and return an ‘In Year Admissions’ form to the academy.
Please contact reception for information regarding Year 7 and In-Year Casual Admissions on:
Jessica Caro,
Admissions Coordinator
Email: admissions@sgla.latrust.org.uk
Appeals
If you have not been offered a place at Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, the law entitles you to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. This panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. All appeals will be heard online which has the advantage that your appeal can be heard from your home or place of work.
If you wish to appeal, please use this link to complete your appeal online. Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority. It is suggested that you download the explanatory booklet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form –
You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST give the grounds for your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school, but on different forms.
Any letters or reports that you wish the panel to see should be uploaded at this time. You are asked to bear in mind that if you later send additional information, the closing date is 5 working days before the STAGE 1 hearing. All appointed panels have agreed NOT to take any late letters or reports after the 5 working day deadline. This will be strictly enforced. For secondary/primary transfer appeals, the hearing will take place at least TWO months after the refusal letter. This gives you plenty of time to get your evidence together if you act early and take account of school holidays.
Please note that the online form will ask you to download two utility bills dated in the last THREE months. If you do not have access to a scanner, please take two photographs with a mobile phone and upload the photographic files.
Full details about the hearing will be sent to you with your invitation to the hearing.
If you wish to contact the clerk – email: clerk@educationappeals.com
Timetable for Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms for a place in year 7 to start in September 2025
4pm on Wednesday 2 April 2025 to guarantee that your appeal will be heard in the first tranche of appeals. Appeals lodged later may not be heard until the second tranche which could be in September 2025. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply any documentary evidence at this stage.
The stage 1 part of the hearing (with other parents present) will take place on
Friday 23 May 2025. Time tbc
Part 2, the individual private hearings will take place on
Friday 23 May 2025 (depending on the number of appeals)
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel
At least 10 school days before the stage 1 hearing.
Any additional supporting evidence
Closing date is Friday 16 May 2025. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please provide the Clerk with ONE copy of any new additional evidence BY EMAIL ONLY. These must be sent to clerk@educationappeals.com.
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel
Due to the high number of appeals held at this time, this may not be sent until up to 10 working days after the last hearing for the school.
Timetable for appeals for mid-term applications is as follows:
Last day for lodging appeal forms following a refusal for a place ‘in year’ or ‘mid-term’ excluding 6th form.
You must lodge the appeal form within 20 school days upon receipt of your letter of refusal. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply documentary evidence at this stage. Appeals are held within 30 school days of receipt of the appeal form.
Sixth Form Applications Appeals
Last day for lodging appeals
4pm on Thursday 28 August 2025 to guarantee that your appeal will be heard within the first weeks of September. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal on the online form and supply any documentary evidence at this stage e.g. a copy of your result sheet.
Please note the timetable is very short to enable those appellants who win appeals to start as early into the school year as possible.
Click here for the 6th form appeal form.
Appeal dates
The date will be during the month of September 2025.