We are thrilled to announce that Leigh UTC Dartford has been successfully reaccredited in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) evaluation. This re-certification reinforces our progress and commitment to the IB philosophy and our mission to develop the next generation of STEM professionals. As the only UTC in the country to be accredited with this award we are proud of our continued success with the IB MYP programme which supports our ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum.
“Leigh UTC Dartford displays a clear and sustained commitment to the IB philosophy. The MYP is developing well within the school’s STEM-focused context. It is supported by strong leadership and active employer engagement” — IB Evaluation Team, 2026
The evaluation report highlights several key areas of excellence across our learning community:
Our Mission-Driven Culture
The IB evaluation team noted a “strong alignment” between our specialist STEM focus and the student experience. Through our unique Learning Beyond the Curriculum (LBC) days and extensive employer partnerships, our students benefit from authentic, real-world applications that prepare them for a global market where staff consistently make highly effective choices about what to teach, and when and how to teach it, in the context of the subject, global contexts and pupils’ needs.
Academic & Personal Growth
- Approaches to Learning (ATL): Our focus on developing essential thinking, research, and communication skills has led to enhanced achievement levels across all years of the programme.
- Learner Profile: The IB attributes are deeply embedded in our school life, fostering compassionate, reflective, and resilient learners.
- Inclusive Support: The report praised our highly effective student support systems, including our commitment to student well-being and ensuring barriers to learning are consistently addressed and removed so every student is able to access their learning.
‘The school enhances students’ global awareness through well-designed curricular and co-curricular experiences that connect learning to authentic contexts. The school benefits from leadership and governance that consistently prioritise high-quality learning environments. The school provides robust support for students’ well-being and optimises access to learning opportunities by the removal of academic, social and emotional barriers to learning.’ — IB Evaluation Team, 2026
Our Strong Leadership & Collaboration
Our success is underpinned by the professional dedication of our staff and the ongoing support of the Leigh Academies Trust. The evaluation team commended our robust professional development and the collaborative spirit that ensures the MYP philosophy thrives in every classroom and is transformational in the lives of the students in our care.
As we celebrate these achievements, we look forward to continuing our transformational practice of growth—further refining our Service as Action initiatives as well as all aspects of the IB MYP curriculum. The dedication and progressive thinking of teachers and leaders at the Leigh UTC Dartford ensures our students remain at the forefront of innovation.
