Sevenoaks School and Leigh Academies Trust Join Forces to Launch Transformative Ambition Programme
Sevenoaks School and Leigh Academies Trust (LAT) have launched a ground-breaking partnership. ‘Ambition’, a unique four-year programme is designed to significantly enhance the life chances and career aspirations of ambitious students across five LAT academies.
The programme welcomed its inaugural cohort of fifteen high-achieving Year 9 students on Monday 7th July 2025, at a successful launch event hosted by Sevenoaks School. The programme is now well underway with the first Meet-up Day taking place at Sevenoaks School on Tuesday 4th November where students enjoyed confidence building workshops about public speaking and body language.
Photo: Sevenoaks School/David Merewether
This cohort represents students from Leigh Academy Minster, Leigh Academy Strood, Leigh Academy Hundred of Hoo, Leigh Academy Mascalls and Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy, all sharing a strong aspiration for Russell Group university entry.
The Ambition Programme, which is fully funded by LAT academies, focuses on providing essential targeted support, including an annual residential experience, 1:1 mentorship from Sevenoaks School alumni and university students and access to unique cultural and academic opportunities.
Simon Beamish, CEO of Leigh Academies Trust, commented on the strategic partnership:
“Leigh Academies Trust is absolutely delighted to be working with Sevenoaks School on the Ambition Programme. Both organisations share a powerful commitment to International Baccalaureate programmes and inclusion. This latest collaboration will help us to ensure excellent post-18 destinations for students from more disadvantaged communities.“
Photo: Sevenoaks School/David Merewether
This initiative sits at the heart of Leigh Academies Trust’s vision of Education for a Better World. It embodies the Trust’s value of boundless ambition by creating opportunities for talented young people from all backgrounds to access life-changing experiences and pursue the highest academic pathways. LAT believes that inclusion and excellence go hand in hand: no child’s potential should be limited by circumstance.
The launch event in July was a vibrant day of activity, including the introduction of dedicated university mentors, an engaging ‘Who Am I?’ workshop and a stimulating session led by renowned ‘Noisy Classroom’, the UK’s leading experts in critical oracy and debating for schools specifically aimed at boosting student confidence and advanced communication skills.
Kathy O’Donnell, Director of Service and Partnership at Sevenoaks School, praised the first cohort:
“Our ethos and values align closely, and we share the same commitment to supporting young people to be the very best they can be. The energy and enthusiasm from our first cohort of students is wonderful to see, and that energy is matched by our team of passionate undergraduate mentors. I am excited to work with our partner teachers at Leigh Academy Trust to develop and refine the programme.”
Both Sevenoaks School and Leigh Academies Trust are committed to the long-term future of the initiative and plan to develop further collaborative opportunities, particularly around the shared ethos of the International Baccalaureate, reinforcing their dedication to high-quality education. The collaboration illustrates LAT’s belief that education is the most powerful tool for social mobility. By connecting students from diverse communities with mentors, role models, and advanced academic opportunities, the programme gives tangible shape to the Trust’s mission to deliver Education for a Better World.
See what some of the students had to say about Ambition in this video:
Video: Leigh Academies Trust / Brandon Baily
