Leighton Park is a leading co-educational day and boarding school for students aged 11–18 based in Reading, Berkshire and the winner of the Independent Schools Association Best Senior School of the Year 2023–24.
Leighton Park exists to form young people of real character and confidence, with a determined desire to change the world, reflecting the school’s Quaker values and forward-looking approach. We are a school that inspires achievement with values, character and community and academic excellence is the consequence of our approach.
Our vibrant learning community empowers each student to achieve excellent outcomes, through supporting their choices, nurturing individuality and encouraging talent in whatever direction it may lie. Ours is an education for succeeding in life, as well as in academic assessments. Set in 65 acres of beautiful parkland, our students have an enriching environment in which to learn, reflect and grow.
With Quaker values held strongly at the centre of all that we do, our emphasis is on our students loving their learning, encouraging them to try a huge range of new experiences and developing their greatest talents. You will be struck on visiting us by the warmth of relationships that characterise the school, the wealth of opportunities for development of body and mind, and the sense of calm and space in which that development takes place.
Academic. The success of our approach is demonstrated by the latest UK Government 16–18 league tables, which place the school in the top 100 in England, or top 1%, for the academic progress made by our students. Despite being among the top performing schools in the country, we are no results factory. We believe a school must be judged by the full range and depth of achievements of its students, and at Leighton Park we develop young people who understand, cherish, and make a difference to the world which they inherit. Leighton Park is particularly known for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths), with a particular emphasis on creative problem-solving and interdisciplinary approaches.
Sixth Form. In Sixth Form, 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.
Co-Curricular programme. Our wraparound provision, which welcomes day students from 7.20 am to 9.00 pm, offers 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 county and regional level in sports. The School’s Advanced Performer Programme (APP) supports elite athletes. While the School does very well in traditional sports such as rugby, netball, cricket and hockey, it also offers 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 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 space in which students can take some time for peaceful reflection.
Facilities. Leighton Park has the facilities you would expect of a leading independent school, including a brand-new Sixth Form Centre (opening September 2024). This project will develop an historic building designed by one of the UK's most celebrated Victorian architects, Alfred Waterhouse, and imbue it with beautiful study spaces and cutting-edge learning technology. A new whole-school library will also be 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, Arts and Maths 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 or 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 Lower School Boarding House for Years 7 and 8, 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 41 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 (2023-2024). Full Boarding: £12,095–£15,390; Weekly Boarding: £10,500–£13,070; Day: £7,720–£9,810.
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% of 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.