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New Academy in the Leigh Academies Trust
In partnership with Kent County Council, I am pleased to report that Ministers have approved the creation of a third academy in Dartford, with Leigh Academies Trust as the lead sponsor.
Wilmington Enterprise College is expected to be renamed Wilmington Academy from 1 September 2010 with work starting on the design of a new building to be open within 3 years.
We are starting to draw up detailed proposals in conjunction with our other sponsors of the Academies, Kent County Council and the Universities of Kent and Greenwich. We will consult widely within the community of Wilmington to incorporate their aspirations and hopes, and also with our existing parents and friends, to ensure that the resulting federation will make each of the existing Academies stronger.
Between January and July we will working with the existing school and federation partner, Dartford Girls Grammar School, to help provide as much additional support for the present students as we can. We also wish to build up momentum as early as possible to enable the future to be secure and successful for the children of Dartford.
Frank Green
4 December 2009
Adverse Weather
In the event of adverse weather, please check the front page of this website for closure information. You will also be able to find out by listening to Radio Kent.
Longfield Academy Achieves Record Results
Longfield Academy has concluded a highly successful first year with its best ever GCSE results. Through the exceptional hard work of staff and students, pass rates have rocketed with the number of students achieving 5A* - C including English and Maths rising by over 72%, and those achieving at the highest grades of A* and A rising by 57%. The number of students achieving a grade C or better in Mathematics has more than doubled from last year's grades gained by Longfield Academy's predecessor school. These outstanding results are mirrored in many other subjects including English, Science and ICT.
The top performing student was Stephanie Davies with 2 A*s, 9 As and 2 Bs, followed by Shane Reeves, Sophia Stevens, Shannon Homden, Daniel Crittenden and Rebecca Colebrook-Taylor.
The Academy is looking forward to welcoming back many of these highly successful students into its Sixth Form to further enhance their education, leading for most to a place at university.
The Leigh Federation Chief Executive, Frank Green, said, "I am delighted that so many students have achieved so well at GCSE, and that Longfield has developed so successfully through its first year as an Academy. I would like to thank the students, their parents and all staff for the commitment they have made towards achieving these excellent results".
Overall results:
35.1% 5A* - C inc English & Maths (2008 : 20.4%)
50.0% 5A - C (2008 : 37.2%)
98.2% 1A* - G
A Level Results 2009
Students at Longfield Academy enjoyed a strong set of AS and A Level results. 41% of all students passing their A Level courses achieved A-C grades. This is an improvement on previous years.
Particular high fliers at A Level were:
Jack Fox - BBB going to University of Kent to study Biomedical Science.
Lauren Jones - BBC going to University of Kent to study English and Sociology.
Sonia Kheller - ABC going to University of Birmingham to study Geography.
At AS Level results were also pleasing. High fliers included:
Yves Cautivar BBC
Keiran Poole ABCC
Jade Pullen (Head Girl) ACD
Chief Executive Officer, Frank Green said, "I am delighted that so many students have gained their first choice university place following two years of hard work. I would like to thank the students, their parents and all staff for the commitment they have made to achieve these very good results".
June 12th - Inset
Friday 12th June is a staff inset day. The school will be closed to all students except those taking public examinations.
Bus Passes
Freedoms Bus Pass leaflets and application forms are available to collect from the school office.
Exhibition Report
The New Build Exhibition was a great success, with over 170 people visiting during the four and a half hours. By following the link you can download a PDF of the displays (5.7Mb) that were shown at the exhibition.
Exhibition of the new build
On the 25th February from 3pm-7.30pm there will be an exhibition of the plans for the new build in the Learning Resources Centre. This exhibition is your chance to learn more about the site and the application proposal. There will be representatives from the Client and Contractor Teams on hand to answer any questions you may have about the proposal.
Please feel free to download the PDF flyer for the event.
Longfield Academy Achieves High Mark in Latest IAG
Longfield Academy has always prided itself on its provision of good careers and information guidance. Achieving a high mark in the latest IAG (Information advice and guidance) Healthcheck just confirms our belief about the high level of information we provide. Moving forward we have now decided to gain accreditation in this area by working for the 'Investors in Careers' Award.
This award expects the Academy to demonstrate that students are given opportunities to have Careers education and guidance, both through curriculum time and with independent advisors. All students have Careers lessons through our Citizenship Plus Curriculum in all years. In Years 7, 8 and 9 topics include understanding skills that we have, skills required for employment or specific occupations, making good decisions and choices and enterprise games. The Key Stage 4 curriculum includes work experience, work preparation and enterprise days. In Key Stage 5 we have an enrichment timetable which focuses on employment skills such as interviewing techniques and CV writing. In addition there are trips and visits that enable students to gain insight into their possible future careers, i.e. careers conventions, master classes and RAF talks. Our partnership with Kent University has allowed Longfield students to see the opportunities available in Higher Education and college placements allow students to gain valuable practical knowledge for their futures.
Longfield Academy also works closely with our appointed Connexions advisors who see all Year 9, 10 and 11 students in groups or individual appointments. Connexions advisors attend all options evenings and are available at lunchtimes in our well-equipped careers library. More information about Connexions on the connexions page of our website.
Longfield Academy is committed to ensuring our students get the best advice and guidance about their future careers and the 'Investors in Careers' award will help to focus us on building for the future.
Consultation Events
There will be series of consulation events for parents and carers to meet with the tutor of their son or daughter. The purpose of these events will be to discuss progress to date and targets for the rest of the academic year. The dates for these events are:
| Years 9 and 11 | Friday 30 January 2009 |
| Years 10, 12 and 13 | Thursday 19 March 2009 |
| Years 7 and 8 | Wednesday 22 April 2009 |
To accommodate these events, on each occasion the school will close after and early lunch at 1.00pm. Students will register prior to leaving and the coaches will depart at approximately 1.10pm
Tutors will contact parents to arrange appropriate times during the afternoon to meet with parents and students.
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Longfield Academy Open Evening
Longfield Academy will be running Open Days and an Open Evening in the week of 6th - 10th October
For more information please go to our Events page.
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Longfield Academy opens in record time
Longfield Academy opens its doors to nearly 1000 local students after the summer break in September 2008.
The £25 million Academy, funded by the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF), has three local sponsors: the Leigh Academies Trust, the University of Kent and Kent County Council.
Executive Principal, Frank Green, comments, "The Leigh Academies Trust is proud to announce the opening of Longfield Academy in Kent. This will see the start of Longfield Academy's contribution to the raising of educational standards in the northwest part of Kent. I am proud to be part of this project and to work with the Academy's senior team to give local young people the very best possible start in life."
The new Academy will operate in the buildings of the predecessor Axton Chase School whilst the brand new academy is built alongside. Interim Principal, Neil Willis, comments, "Students are really looking forward to the new term and to meeting with the designers and architects who will design the new buildings. We are all excited by the sponsors' vision and the way they've listened to our ideas too."
Longfield Academy will eventually have places for up to 1150 boys and girls aged 11-18. The Academy has an inclusive admissions policy, accepting pupils regardless of their faith and academic ability, based on proximity to Longfield. The Academy will continue to host the Spectrum Centre for students who are on the autistic spectrum. Longfield Academy will specialise in Sciences and in the Arts. Open days for 2009 admissions are being held over the next six weeks.
Since the announcement of the proposals in March 2008 there has been rapid progress to enable the new Academy to be up and running for this September. There was an extensive consultation programme, and the Academy received £160,000 for environmental improvements to the buildings and grounds which took place over the summer. The Leigh Technology Academy has provided nearly 100 computers so that there is now more than 1 computer for every 2 students. All students will initially be given a new tie and blazer badge in the new colour schemes and logos and will be involved in designing and developing the full uniform this term.
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Art Department News
Students win in Art Competions
The first weekend of the summer vacation saw the annual Dartford Festival in Central Park. There were many competitions and Michael Fearn was awarded first place in the Open Under 18 Photographic Section. Melissa Slater won 2nd place and Jasmine Maidment, 3rd place in the Under 15 Free Hand Drawing section.
In the Adult classes, Tharsika Anandaraja enjoyed success in Original Design Embroidery, taking first prize. Tharsana Anandaraja was awarded second prize and Sarah Johnson , third.
I was really pleased to see students' work displayed publicly and receiving such accolades.
Mrs V Bevan, Art Teacher
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Polo Success
Longfield Academy Student Polo Winner
Over the summer vacation, Jack Robson R8/PLL, was part of the
Great Britain team that won the under 21's Canoe Polo Canadian Championships in Edmonton.
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