The Leigh Academy Bexley is a big school in Erith, London. It’s a co-educational secondary school and sixth form for kids aged 11-18. It’s where kids come to learn, grow, and prepare for their future careers. And as you stand here gazing at this incredible building, you can almost hear the echoes of countless laughter, curiosity, and learning that have filled these halls. It’s been around since the 1890s. But this building wasn’t always called the Leigh Academy Bexley. It started out as Erith Grammar School, merging with Northumberland Heath Secondary Modern School in 1967. Together they formed Erith School, a ten-form entry with a new purpose.
What you see before you today is the result of several changes and updates throughout the years. Back then, the school was spread across two sites. The East Building, dating back to the 1950s, was located on Avenue Road. The West Building, on Brook Street, dated back to the 1930s. But in 1994, they renovated and built new facilities, creating one unified school on Avenue Road. The West Building on Brook Street would become Northumberland Heath Primary School.
In 2005, the school received Specialist School status, thanks to its excellence in PE, Maths, and ICT. This was recognized in a formal opening by Trevor Brooking. A new Sixth Form block, the David Friend Building, opened in May 2007. In 2010, the school became an Academy. A few years later in 2018, it became King Henry School, joined with Townley Grammar School as part of the Odyssey Trust for Education. However, in 2022, the school renamed itself as Leigh Academy Bexley after joining forces with Leigh Academies Trust.
Leigh Academy Bexley is a place of change and evolution, constantly striving to improve and adapt to the needs of its students and the community. As you look at the building today, you can only imagine the countless stories that have unfolded and the bright futures that have been shaped within these walls. It’s a place of learning, growth, and ambition, where students are encouraged to reach their full potential. Just like the future of Erith itself, Leigh Academy Bexley is a vibrant center of the community, a testament to the spirit of innovation and progress in the heart of London.