Leighton Park School Shinfield Road, Reading, RG2 7ED, Berkshire 0118 987 9600

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School type	Co-educational Day & Boarding Senior & Sixth Form
Head	Mr Matthew L S Judd
Date Appointed	September 2018
Co-ed Age Range	11-18 years
Number of pupils	560
Average Class Size	18
Teacher/Pupil ratio	1:7
Associations	BSA, HMC, IB, ISA, ISC

Introduction

A vibrant learning community, our values-based education focuses on each individual - with impressive results.

At its core, a Leighton Park education offers achievement with values, character and community.

The success of our academic approach is demonstrated by the latest UK Government analysis, which recognised Leighton Park as the best performing school in Berkshire and in the top 14 boarding schools in the country for the academic progress of our leavers. Our A Level students achieved 74% A*-B last year. The Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) have awarded Leighton Park a 'significant strength' for values, confirmation that the school's Quaker ethos delivers a first-class education.

Academic focus

An IB World School, our emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking and intercultural skills ensures that every student can succeed in an ever-changing, globalised world. Central to the school's approach, we have particular strengths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) as well as the Creative Arts (Music, Drama, Art and Dance). Combining these strengths, our students benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, fusing analytical skills from STEM with creative and interpersonal soft skills. Engineering and Music Tech are both part of our curriculum from Year 7.

Music is another particular strength of the school with a new Music and Media Centre providing students with exceptional facilities, including a Yamaha Live Lounge recording studio. Our Music departments is accredited as a Flagship Yamaha Music Education Partner, the only school in Europe to hold this status, with 60% of students studying an instrument and 27 music teachers on staff.

In Sixth Form, students can choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) or A Levels, and are offered an extensive selection of subject options, including Psychology, Politics, Economics, Business, Dance, a BTEC in Digital Film and Video Production and a CTEC in Physical Education.

Pastoral

All our students benefit from small class sizes. The average is 18 students per class, going down to 7 students in Sixth Form. Our dedicated teachers are able to cater lessons to each student and ensure they are kept on track both inside and out of lessons. This allows an unparalleled level of support and also a relationship between students and teachers that allows students to feel that they can speak honestly and openly to teachers about any problems they may be facing. Leighton Park was awarded the ISA National Award for Excellence in Pupil Personal Development in 2022 and for Future Readiness in 2024.

Boarding

Leighton Park has a thriving boarding community, offering full, weekly and flexible options for students. The Lower School (Years 7 and 8) offers co-educational boarding in a House with separate wings for accommodation by gender. The single-sex accommodation is arranged for Senior students in School House for boys and Reckitt House for girls. Students join us from 41 countries, with strong UK representation. Day students are welcome to stay until 9.00pm to spend time with friends or have time and space to focus on their prep.

House Masters/Mistresses create homely environments supported by tutors and House Managers, ensuring each student feels relaxed and comfortable. With dedicated staff and plenty of opportunity to socialise with other students, each boarding house is very much its own community.

Hobbies and other activities

Our wrap-around provision, which welcomes day students from 7.20am to 9.00pm, offers all our pupils the time to discover and develop their greatest talents. Students can choose from 90 different co-curricular activities to extend their learning, increase confidence, learn new skills and make new friends.

Sports

Sport plays an important role in life at Leighton Park with many individual performers and teams reaching national, regional and county level in sports. The school's Advanced Performer Programme supports elite athletes. While the school has three core team sports – football, hockey and netball – options are available in many more such as rugby, cricket, swimming, athletics, judo and badminton. The school is very supportive of individual talents and interests from rowing to gymnastics.

Music and Drama

Students have so many opportunities to play or perform at Leighton Park, with the Music and Drama Departments being two of the busiest places in school. The school produces a spectacular musical show every other year with many more opportunities to perform in between regular concerts, plays and tours abroad.

Facilities

Leighton Park has the facilities you would expect of a leading independent school, with some truly impressive buildings such as the new Sixth Form Centre or the Music and Media Centre. The school's innovative use of the latest teaching and learning technologies is supported by continuous investment in technology, including Google Classroom, CleverTouch screens in classrooms and a Supported Digital Device Scheme for students.

School life

The quiet moments and the calm atmosphere of the 65 acre park encourage students to collect their thoughts and reflect within a caring community, providing high academic standards, excellent pastoral care and a rich and diverse co-curricular programme of activities. All of this, and the focus on mutual respect, create a stable, unique and sustainable environment where children can live, learn and grow.