Leighton Park School offers an exceptional values-led education where every individual is empowered to flourish. Academic excellence is nurtured through an innovative, future-ready curriculum, enriched by outstanding opportunities for personal development. We inspire courageous thinkers and doers – young people with the character and confidence to imagine and shape a better world.
Live your values. We give our Quaker values currency and purpose, believing in the powerful potential of each individual and nurturing a community of kindness. At Leighton Park, you won’t just succeed – you’ll succeed as your authentic self. With a sense of responsibility, a commitment to helping others and a determination to make a difference. We’ll support you to develop a strong sense of self, with the strength to lead with empathy and conviction. Leighton Park is the only school in England to be recognised by the Independent Schools Inspectorate as having a Significant Strength for its values-led approach.
Find your voice. At Leighton Park, it’s about much more than just learning; it’s about becoming who you’re meant to be. That means pushing yourself, not being afraid to fail and taking every opportunity – all within a supportive community that’s got your back. We’ve won the national ISA Award for Pupil Personal Development so however you want to shine, we’ll help you shine bright. We’ll give you the freedom to fully explore your talents and dreams, to satisfy your curiosity and become the best version of yourself.
As Yamaha's only Flagship Music Education Partner in Europe, we provide exceptional opportunities across the Performing Arts. Our Sport for All approach and with over 90+ co-curricular activities available, our personal development programmes lead the sector.
Be future ready. We won the Independent Schools Association Award for Future Readiness 2024–2025 and in a world of by-standers, we choose to make a difference. We combine critical thinking with creativity and innovation – all in real-world, interdisciplinary learning. You will gain the skills to understand the complex problems you see around you in the world and the tools to work with others to create solutions – everything you need, in short, to be changemakers.
Sixth Form. Our well-established Sixth Form opened a brand-new Sixth Form Centre (in September 2024) which houses study rooms, communal areas and the whole-school library, as well as state-of-the-art classrooms. Students can choose between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) and A levels, with or without an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) which carries UCAS points worth half an A level.
Wraparound care and co-currricular. The core school day starts at 8.15 am and ends at 4.15 pm, however, most of our Day students arrive in time for breakfast and leave at 6.00 pm after their chosen co-curricular clubs and tea. Additionally, our wraparound provision can welcome day students from 7.20 am to 9.00 pm, offering all our pupils the time to discover and develop their greatest talents.
The school’s curriculum positions students for success in a fast-changing world, where many of today’s jobs will not exist in 30 years’ time. Students have the time and space to understand and enjoy their learning and extend their passions through over 90 different co-curricular hobbies. Central to the school’s approach, we teach leadership, creative thinking and risk-taking, empowering students to be a force for good in the world and reflecting the school’s Quaker ethos. The range of choice and the school’s focus on the individual create a fun, supportive and nurturing experience.
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 (APP) supports elite athletes. While the School does very well in our three core sports of football, netball and hockey, we also offer alternatives such as yoga, judo and basketball. The School is very supportive of individual talents and interests, from equestrian sports to gymnastics. First-rate coaching and facilities, including state-of-the-art Astroturf pitches and swimming pool, ensure that talented and enthusiastic students can develop their sporting abilities to the full.
Music. Music is another particular strength of the School with a stunning Music and Media Centre providing students with exceptional facilities, including a Yamaha Live Lounge recording studio and a media production suite. Our Music Department is accredited as a Flagship 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. We also partner with Sontronics and are a certified Steinberg Training Centre, providing exposure to industry-standard music technology for our students.
Location and school life. The school is set in 65 acres of beautiful parkland in Reading, 25 minutes from London and 30 minutes from London Heathrow Airport. A significant proportion of the park is dedicated to sport and outdoor learning opportunities, but it also provides that all-important green and natural space.
Facilities. Leighton Park has the facilities you would expect of a leading independent school, including a brand-new Sixth Form Centre (opened September 2024). This project developed a historic building designed by one of the UK's most celebrated Victorian architects, Alfred Waterhouse, and imbued it with beautiful study spaces and cutting-edge learning technology. A new whole-school library is also housed here. Our Music and Media Centre (opened in 2019) provides fabulous music and creative media facilities for students, In recent times, investments have been made to support the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Maths (STEAM) focus, placing the creative arts at the heart of the traditional STEM approach. This includes modern Science labs, a wonderful Design Technology centre and impressive Mathematics facility. The school’s innovative use of the latest teaching and learning technologies is supported by continuous investment in technology, including Google Classroom, Clever Touch screens in classrooms and the use of personal laptops.
Boarding. Our Weekly and Full Boarding students enjoy the very best of Leighton Park, benefitting from a wonderful sense of calm, balanced with an incredible amount of activity and dynamism. There is a co-educational Junior Boarding House for Years 7 to 9, Fryer House, with two Senior Houses for boarders in Year 9 and above; School House for boys and Reckitt House for girls. Students come from 45 different countries, with strong UK representation.
Housemasters and Housemistresses create homely environments supported by tutors and House Managers, ensuring each student feels relaxed and comfortable. With a dedicated staff and plenty of opportunity to socialise with other students, each Boarding House is very much its own community.
Entry. Entry to the school includes consideration of school reports, tests in English, Maths, essay-writing and an interview, with an additional English test where appropriate. Pupils are normally admitted at one of three points: Year 7 (age 11); Year 9 (age 13), and the Sixth Form. Entry to the Sixth Form requires 5 GCSE passes or equivalent at Level 6 / Grade B or above, with a Level 7 required in certain subjects. Students can opt for A levels or the IBDP in Sixth Form. We also offer a Pre-Sixth course of 5 GCSEs in one year.
Fees per term (2025-2026). Full Boarding: £14,995–£18,660; Weekly Boarding: £12,995–£15,770; Day: £9,495–£11,490 inclusive of VAT, 95% of co-curricular options and meals.
Scholarships and bursaries. We award Academic, Art and Design, Dance, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships to students entering Years 7, 9 and Sixth Form based on a competitive exam. These represent up to 30% off a day student’s fees. We also offer scholarships in STEAM, Ethical Enterprise and IB Scholarships which are intended for Sixth Form applicants. Just as important as the financial incentive is the support they receive to develop their talents and excel in their field. Candidates may apply for any combination of scholarships but can only receive the financial benefits of one. Bursaries may be available, in cases of financial hardship, to existing and prospective pupils. Bursaries are always means tested and subject to annual review. Additional awards may be made by the David Lean Foundation or by the Ian Austin Bursary Fund.
Charitable status. The Leighton Park Trust is a Registered Charity, number 309144. It exists to provide education for young people.