About Us

Leigh Academy Tonbridge is a new, co-educational school in Tonbridge which opened its doors to its founding Year 7 students in September 2023. Its legacy school, Hayesbrook Academy has an outstanding local reputation for the quality of its care and for truly nurturing every young person in its community. 

Hayesbrook Academy first opened in 1964 and has always been an all-boys school, its history before then, is closely linked to the old Sussex Road Boys School, where records go back to the early 1900’s, meaning we have a strong tradition of education provision in Tonbridge. The modern day academy has always been an 11-18 comprehensive school with a mixed Sixth Form, serving the local community.

Since being the first school in West Kent to gain Academy status in 2010, the academy led the way in achieving excellent standards and in creating a multi-academy trust. Hayesbrook was graded ‘Excellent’ by Ofsted in 2005, 2008 and 2009. The academic success and high standards have continued and inspections in 2013, 2017 and most recently in December 2022 found the school to be ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ behaviour and attitudes. ‘The schools’ small size ensures that all pupils are known, valued and nurtured…Behaviour and attitudes are exceptional.’(Ofsted, 2023)

The 2022 inspection recognised strengths in reading and literacy; careers provision; teachers’ subject knowledge; the support provided by the trust and the governing body; as well as identifying the ‘meticulous’ arrangements for safeguarding. The report also recognised “Senior leaders are relentless about raising standards and maintaining high expectations…”.. These strengths were fully underpinned by the Inspectors through their meetings with students and staff, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from the parental community.

Hayesbrook Academy joined Leigh Academies Trust in September 2021 which strengthened the academy’s ability to deliver the very best for its pupils. A new Principal and Senior Leadership Team have been in place since September 2022 to ensure that Leigh Academy Tonbridge continues to thrive.