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Leigh Academy Halley

United Kingdom, London

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 11 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 902
Type Co-educational
Opened 2018
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), BTEC Qualification, British Curriculum
Taught languages French, Spanish
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Social and Hobbies, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Leigh Academy Halley is a mixed, 11–18 academy in Blackheath, London, part of Leigh Academies Trust. The school delivers IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP), alongside BTEC and the British Curriculum, preparing students for regional and international qualifications. It opened in 2018 and became an IB World School in 2019. The campus sits on a 16-acre site of historic listed buildings and includes playing fields with three full-size football pitches, a Sports Centre with indoor Sports Hall, Dance Studio and Fitness Studio, plus the Tallow Chandlers Engineering and Design Centre equipped with industry-standard facilities. In June 2022 a new Engineering and Design Centre further expanded capabilities. The school provides Year 7 transition space, a Sixth Form, extensive IT with Chromebooks and virtual classrooms, a well-stocked library, and an on-site restaurant. A broad range of clubs supports STEM, arts, Debate, Duke of Edinburgh and community initiatives.

Leigh Academy Halley, Corelli Road, Blackheath, London, SE3 8EP

The Essentials

Leigh Academy Halley has 902 pupils, instruction in English.

Stages
Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Years 7–9; a two-year Key Stage 4 with GCSEs in Years 10–11; Sixth Form offers International Baccalaureate Careers Programme (IBCP) and T-Levels. The academy is organised into three small school communities for Years 7–11: Easley, Franklin and Turing, with Hawking for Sixth Form.

Type
Academy; mixed (co-educational); part of Leigh Academies Trust; International Baccalaureate (IB) World School since 2019

Additional learning support
The Infinity Hub Local Academy Resource Provision provides SEND support; SENCo leads the SEND team; SEND Code of Practice (2014) and Equality Act (2010) guide practice; Local Offer and SEND Information Report are published.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a formal uniform: a black blazer with the Academy logo worn at all times, plus tailored black trousers or a plain knee-length black skirt, a white shirt and a black tie. PE kit consists of a Leigh Academy Halley polo shirt with plain black shorts or plain black tracksuit bottoms and plain black shoes. Jewellery is limited to a wristwatch and one small stud; other piercings, acrylic nails and false eyelashes are not permitted, and items not meeting the uniform code may be confiscated.

Food Options
Food is provided on-site by Cucina, with a restaurant serving breakfast from 8:10 am, break and lunch, and a Street Kitchen for grab-and-go meals, plus an after-school takeaway service. A main meal costs £2.70, and free school meals can be applied for online via the academy.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of Leigh Academies Trust, the sponsor of the academy, providing governance within a multi-academy trust.
Fees
Application fees

- There is no charge to submit an application for a place at Leigh Academy Halley; applications for Year 7 are made through the home local authority and in-year applications are made directly to the academy.

Tuition fees (by year group and per term)

- Years 7–11 (Key Stages 3–4): No tuition fees are charged for the standard day-time curriculum. Education provided during academy hours does not incur a charge. This applies on a per-term and per-year basis (i.e., there are no recurring tuition fees billed per term or per year for curriculum provision).

- Sixth Form (Years 12–13): No tuition fees are charged for participation in the academy's post-16 provision as a state-funded academy place. Exam entry or specific course-related optional costs may be charged in the circumstances described under "Other charges and optional extras" below.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Optional activities, trips, peripatetic lessons and other chargeable extras are identified and charged in advance on a per-activity basis; parental agreement is required before a pupil is enrolled in any optional, chargeable activity. Parents are expected to pay the requested charge prior to the activity where required.

- Instrumental (peripatetic) music lessons are charged per block of lessons and must be paid through the school's online payments system. Specifically, individual instrumental lessons are charged at £171.08 per eight lessons (payment via ParentPay).

- Residential trip charges (board and lodging) and other optional extras are billed for the full cost of the approved activity (including travel, insurance, entrance fees, and staffing costs where applicable); where costs are charged they are normally collected in advance. Remissions or reductions may apply for eligible families (see "Remissions and refunds" below).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not offered; the academy operates as a day school and therefore boarding fees are not applicable.

Other costs and typical chargeable items

- Uniform: Branded uniform can be purchased from the academy's approved suppliers (Brigade and Matthews Schoolwear). Delivery charges from the approved supplier apply (Brigade standard delivery shown at £3.99 for orders under £50). Non-branded required items may be bought from other retailers.

- Instrumental lessons: charged at stated block rates (see above). Payment is collected via the academy's online payment platform.

- Trips, visits and residentials: costs for optional trips and residential trips (board, lodging, travel, entrance fees, materials, insurance and staffing) are charged to parents where the activity is optional or falls outside the statutory free provision.

- Materials and equipment: The academy may charge for materials, books or equipment only where parents wish to own these items (for example, take-home materials or optional project packs).

- Examination fees: The academy will charge for external examination entries in defined circumstances (for example where the academy has not prepared the student for the examination in that year, where the examination is not on the set list, where a student fails to meet course requirements without good reason, or where a student requests a re-sit for which the academy previously paid).

- Chromebook / device contributions or voluntary contributions: the academy may invite voluntary contributions to cover certain items or schemes; such contributions are genuinely voluntary.

Remissions and refund information

- Remissions: Families in receipt of qualifying state benefits (for example Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Universal Credit and others listed in the Trust policy) are eligible for full remission of board and lodging charges for residential activities that take place during academy hours; other remissions may be authorised in hardship cases on written application to the Principal.

- Refunds: Where the academy or Trust is required to refund payments (for example cancelled activities or surplus trip balances above an administratively set threshold), refunds are processed back to parents in line with the academy's payment procedures and the online payment provider's refund mechanism. Payments made via the online provider are normally refunded via the same method (for card payments the refund is processed back to the original card where applicable). Parents are advised that refunds for externally supplied items or third-party payments may follow the supplier's own refund arrangements.

Fee payment options and channels

- The academy operates a cashless approach for most chargeable items and uses ParentPay as its online payments platform for lunches, trips, peripatetic lessons and other payable items; payments by debit/credit card are supported via ParentPay. Parents receive account activation details and payment requests through the academy's communications channels.

- Where alternative payment methods are offered (for specific items or exceptional circumstances), the academy communicates those options directly to parents for the relevant activity; refunds of card payments made via ParentPay are typically processed back to the originating card/account by the ParentPay system.

Summary (short)

- No application or tuition fees are charged for day-time education for Years 7–11 or for the Sixth Form place; Leigh Academy Halley is a state-funded day academy. Optional extras (instrumental lessons, trips, residentials, certain exam entries, take-home materials, uniform and voluntary contributions) are chargeable and are billed on an activity-by-activity basis and collected in advance through the academy's cashless payments system (ParentPay). Remissions and refunds are handled in accordance with the Trust charging and remissions framework and the online payments provider's processes.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Leigh Academy Halley places social and emotional development at the heart of its approach. A Values Education Programme is taught mainly in tutor periods to support personal well-being and safe relationships. The core values – respect, resilience, integrity and collaboration – guide behaviour and learning across the academy. Pastoral care underpins daily life, with staff supporting students' well-being and resilience through a range of welfare initiatives. Counselling and mentoring are available for identified students as part of the well-being and SEND-related support.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Leigh Academy Halley is a mixed, inclusive academy. The Infinity Hub provides specialist support as a Local Academy Resource Provision for 24 students with ASD, within the mainstream setting. The academy meets the needs of students who require additional support with academic or social and emotional development. The SEND Code of Practice (2014), the Children and Families Act (2014) and the Equality Act (2010) inform practice. The Leigh Academies Trust SEND policy and the Leigh Academy Halley Local Offer direct staff to ensure all students are fully included and supported to achieve their potential. A range of targeted SEMH, literacy and specialist interventions are delivered, including counselling and mentoring for identified students.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English at Leigh Academy Halley and English is a compulsory subject in Key Stages 3 and 4. Every teacher is a teacher of EAL, and the EAL curriculum equips students to participate actively in the wider world and to develop confidence in using English. For Key Stage 3, the New Arrivals Team delivers a bespoke English acquisition curriculum that also teaches culture and intercultural understanding. In Years 7–9, every student receives a weekly library lesson, and the Learning Resource Centre is open at breaks and after school. Heritage Language qualifications are offered in students' first language with support from multilingual staff and the local community. There are 79 mother tongues spoken in the community, and 46.19% of students have English as their mother tongue.

Mental Wellbeing
Leigh Academy Halley provides a range of social, emotional and mental health interventions for students identified as needing additional support. Staff deliver SEMH interventions via the SEND and inclusion framework, with Learning Support Assistants contributing to targeted programmes. The academy liaises with outside agencies through Local Authority services, CAMHS and other partners as needed. Counselling and mentoring are available for identified students. Infinity Hub and related provisions support social and emotional development within mainstream lessons.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is of paramount importance at Leigh Academy Halley. The academy operates safeguarding and child protection policies with trained staff ready to respond to concerns. Clear procedures exist for reporting safeguarding concerns to designated safeguarding leads and to relevant external agencies. The Principal notes safeguarding in the context of the International Baccalaureate World School status (since 2019). The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy outlines legal duties, DBS referrals and protective measures to keep students safe. The academy collaborates with parents and external agencies to ensure a safe and supportive environment.
Parent Experience

History
Leigh Academy Halley opened in 2018 as a new school within Leigh Academies Trust. The principal was appointed at the same time, with other substantial staff changes following. Since 2019, Leigh Academy Halley has been an International Baccalaureate World School. Investment and refurbishment followed joining Leigh Academies Trust, expanding facilities on the historic listed site. In June 2022, the new Engineering and Design Centre opened, complementing the modern learning spaces and a recently added arts and sports facilities.

Community
Student leadership is a core aspect, with each small school having two Head Student Representatives and five Prefects; they lead assemblies, engage with visitors and represent students across the academy. Student voice is valued, with regular surveys and tutor-time discussions; ideas are channelled through Student Voice Boxes to the Social Action Group. The Social Action Group works with Citizens UK to develop community leadership, researching local needs and driving campaigns on issues such as misogyny, violence against women, and knife crime. Halley's Heroes, including Humanutopia workshops and cross‑school collaboration with primary students, develop personal development, mentoring and leadership skills; over 60 Year 9 students have trained as Heroes to work with younger students.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school occupies a 16-acre site with historic, listed buildings. The campus includes on-site playing fields adjoining the main buildings, including three full-size football pitches. The school has a modern Sports Centre with a full-size indoor Sports Hall, a Dance Studio and a Fitness Studio. The school has the Tallow Chandlers Engineering and Design Centre with industry-standard equipment, and a new Engineering and Design Centre opened in June 2022. The school has science laboratories, a library, an on-site restaurant for breaks, a Year 7 transition space, and Sixth Form on-site with excellent IT facilities including personal Chromebooks and virtual classrooms.

Sports Facilities
The school has on-site playing fields adjoining the main academy and three full-size football pitches. The school has a Sports Centre with a full-size indoor Sports Hall, a Dance Studio and a Fitness Studio for physical education and activities.

Academic Facilities
The school has the Tallow Chandlers Engineering and Design Centre with industry-standard equipment. The Tallow Chandlers' Engineering and Design Centre opened in June 2022. The school has modern science laboratories and a dedicated design and engineering environment. The school has excellent IT facilities, including a personal Chromebook for each student and virtual classrooms, and a well-stocked library for study and reading.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extra-curricular activities include Chess Club, Board Games Club, EAL Break Club, Inclusion Break Club, Manga Club, Duke of Edinburgh, Halley Performing Arts & Music Club, Art Club, Cooking Club, Netball Club, Girls in STEM Club, Maths Sparx and Challenge Club, KS3 Homework Club, IT Club, Fitness Club, Basketball Club, Year 9 Football, STEM Drone Club, D&T Skills Club, TAG Rugby, Athletics Club, Bee Club and Debate Club.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
STEM Club offers problem- and project-based activities. The STEM Green Power Race Car Club designs and builds a race car and competes in events around London and the UK. STEM Drone Club builds microdrones and competes in drone races. Maths Sparx and Challenge Club provides maths support after school and offers extension material for keen mathematicians.

Arts & Creative
Halley Performing Arts & Music Club offers extracurricular music and drama. Art Club runs visual arts workshops. Cooking Club provides cooking and baking activities.

Cultural & Language
Debate Club provides a forum for structured discussion. Girls in STEM Club promotes female participation in science and engineering. Manga Club offers reading and discussion around manga titles.

Social & Hobbies
Chess Club allows students to practise chess and tactics. Board Games Club offers small-group games. Netball Club provides inclusive team sport. TAG Rugby teaches a minimal-contact rugby format.

Community & Service
Duke of Edinburgh offers planning and expeditions for participants. Social Action Group works with Citizens UK on community projects. Heroes and Humanutopia workshops support personal development. Service Learning is described as a component of Sixth Form study.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership includes two Head Student Representatives and five Prefects. Leaders act as academy ambassadors and run assemblies. Social Action Group provides leadership in community campaigns. Heroes program develops mentoring and project-management skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Fitness Club builds knowledge of fitness and training. TAG Rugby and Athletics Club develop sport-specific skills. Break-time activities include EAL Break Club and Inclusion Break Club. Other sports include Netball, Basketball and Year 9 Football.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses English as the language of instruction and English is compulsory at Key Stages 3 and 4. The school teaches French, Spanish, German, Mandarin and Portuguese through the Language Acquisition department, and in the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme students study a language through Language Development from these options. Heritage languages are supported with mother-tongue qualifications and GCSEs in mother tongue where available (pending exam board availability); the Learning Resource Centre purchases books in various languages; a Turkish Saturday school serves the community. All teachers are language teachers who integrate language development across the curriculum.
Admissions

Admissions
1) Year 7 admissions for September 2026: There are 180 places in Year 7. Applications must be made through the home Local Authority under the coordinated admissions scheme. To be invited to sit the fair banding test, applicants must submit the LAT Supplementary Form by 31 October 2025. The Fair Banding Test is a non-verbal reasoning paper, with test dates on 12 November 2025 and 26 November 2025. Those who sit the test are prioritised based on banding results; those who do not sit the test are prioritised after those who sat. National Offer Day is 2 March 2026.

Waitlist
2) Waiting list for Year 7: The Academy maintains a waiting list in all ability bands for the Year 7 cohort when applications exceed places. The waiting list is managed by the Royal Borough of Greenwich admissions team until 31 August, after which transfer to the Academy occurs on 1 September. Applicants on the waiting list undertake the fair banding test, and lists are ranked in line with the oversubscription criteria; a place is offered to the next eligible applicant in the appropriate band when available. To remain on the waiting list for the following academic year, a new in-year admission application must be submitted; looked-after children and those allocated a place under the Local Authority's Fair Access Protocol take precedence over waiting list applicants.
School Events
The school has not added events
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