Dear Parents and Carers
RE: Start of Term – September 2025
I hope you have all enjoyed a restful and enjoyable summer break, and that your child is looking forward to the start of the new academic year. Start of Term A reminder of the following start dates:
Monday 1st September – Start for new students in Year 7 and Year 12 only
Year 7 students should arrive by 8:20am at the Basketball Court in full academy uniform, where they will meet their college leaders and be registered by their tutors. Parents will leave their child at the gate. This first day finishes at 3pm. Year 7 will be dismissed at 3:10pm during the first two weeks of term and then revert to the normal finish time of 3:15pm. Parent Pay should be activated as soon as possible upon receipt of an activation email link sent Monday morning. Following this, the account will become active within a short period of time enabling you access to top-up your child’s account so they can purchase food from the restaurant. In the time between your child’s account becoming active and them able to pay through the biometrics system, your child can access hot food and we will take note of the cost so this can be charged to your account from Tuesday. Alternatively, your child can bring a packed lunch.
Year 12 students should arrive at 9am at reception for registration.
Tuesday 2nd September – All students in Years 7 to 13 return full-time
A reminder that students in Years 7 to 11 should arrive at the academy by 8:20am for college line-up each day in their designated areas, in full academy uniform..
Punctuality
We are committed to ensuring that all students strive for full attendance and arrive at the academy punctually. Arriving on time each day is a basic expectation and a sign of respect, one of our core academy values. Every minute counts, and poor punctuality can significantly affect learning and ultimately attendance. Punctuality also supports the development of key life and employability skills. We appreciate your support in ensuring your child arrives on time each day.
Uniform Years 7–11: Full academy uniform must be worn in line with the published academy Dress Code. Where students are unable to meet the requirements of our uniform expectations, without good reason, a suitable temporary replacement will be provided.
Years 12–13: Business dress is required as per the Post-16 Dress Code.
PE kit is not required on your child’s first day.
Chromebooks
Year 7 and Year 12 students will be issued with their Chromebooks on Wednesday 10th September. Parents/carers are invited to attend a Welcome and Information Evening with their child between 4:15pm and 6:30pm. Please save the date—further details will follow.
Year 10 students will receive their Chromebooks shortly after we receive delivery. More information will be shared in due course.
All other students must bring their existing Chromebook fully charged and ready to use from Tuesday 2nd September. A reminder that no other devices (e.g. laptops, iPads) should be brought into the academy—only the Leigh Academies Trust Chromebook is permitted.
Parking and Drop-Off
The beginning of term is always a particularly busy time around the academy and the surrounding roads, including the Goals car park. To ease congestion, we strongly encourage families to use our ‘Park and Stride’ initiative.
This allows you to drop off your child at Dartford Football Club, where they can walk through the complex to the Princes Road academy entrance (a short 5-minute walk). Staff from Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy will be on duty at the entrance to greet students.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming students back next week and beginning another successful year, working in partnership with your support.
Yours faithfully,
Barry Stephenson
Deputy Principal
