​Leighton Park’s 80-strong cohort of Year 11 students were up bright and early this morning eager to collect their GCSE results. Whilst all were keen to discover the outcome of two years’ dedicated study, many were equally keen join the Sixth Form next autumn, ranked the Best in Berkshire and in the Top 40 nationally for academic progress.

August is a nerve-wracking month for Berkshire students with A level and GCSE results days looming. This year especially will be an anxious time for GCSE pupils with over 20 subjects using the 9–1 gradings instead of A*–G, and LVS Ascot Principal Christine Cunniffe is warning that they are set to play a bigger role than before in shaping students’ futures.

Lockers Park has been celebrating academic success this month. The highly-regarded Preparatory School is proud to announce that once again it has achieved a 100% pass rate for its Common Entrance examinations, with all pupils securing places at their chosen schools. Underpinning that fantastic result, five pupils attained sought-after scholarships to leading British senior schools.

With the registration window for grammar school places opening earlier this month, and a deadline for completed applications in late June or early July in most cases, this is a crucial period for parents with aspirations for their children to gain grammar school places through the 11-plus exam. LVS Ascot principal Christine Cunniffe offers advice to parents considering whether their child should apply for the exam

Dr Paul Hodges, Head of Sixth Form at independent all-ability school LVS Ascot in Berkshire, issues useful advice to all students heading into those important GCSE and A level exams.

David Shah, Director of Studies at MPW Cambridge, offers some advice to sixth form students and their families.