Leighton Park School

• Location: Reading town, Berkshire, United Kingdom,
• Age of students: 11 to 18 years,
• Total number of students: 490 people, of them 130 at the boarding house,
• Type of studying: mixed,
• IB average: 35.2.

The famous and prestigious Leighton Park School is located near the center of Reading (Berkshire). Reading, despite its small size, is a fairly developed city, a well-known university center: there are many opportunities for active and cultural recreation, walks, picnics, entertainment and sightseeing tours. Plus, its proximity to London also serves an advantage - the British capital is located just 65 kilometers away.

The main, priority academic directions of the educational institution are mathematics, Russian language teaching, natural sciences, music and film production (in the optional format). Students can also choose a BTEC in Digital Film and Video Production. In addition to the traditional educational programs for Britain, Leighton Park School provides an opportunity to take the international course International Baccalaureate in the UK, and for graduates there is a specially developed program Careers Guidance: students are taught to apply correctly documents to universities, to engage in career guidance, to identify personal interests and abilities. Graduates of the school demonstrate excellent academic skills and excellent personal qualities, regularly enter the most prestigious universities in the UK and the world, including:

• Oxford
• Cambridge
• University of Exeter
• The Imperial College London
• The University of Warwick.

Every IB Diploma Programme student is assigned a personal tutor and meets with their tutor group three times a day. Sixth Form tutor groups have 11 students, who receive personalized support each day. The Sixth Form personal development program includes the Oakleaf Diploma and CAS.

The Aspiring High Programme prepares applicants for Oxford and Cambridge, medical and law programs, and universities abroad. Career support includes individual and group consultations, career fairs, interview preparation, help with applications for internships and apprenticeships, and meetings with guest professionals.

• Leighton Park won the Award for Future Readiness 2024-2025,
• The school was named Senior School of the Year 2023-24 at the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Awards,
• The Music Department was shortlisted for the Outstanding School Music Department Award 2027 for the third consecutive year,
• Leighton Park was a finalist for Best Co-ed School 2026 in the Independent School of the Year Awards,
• According to the latest official figures, Leighton Park ranked first in Berkshire and 27th in England for the academic progress of Sixth Form students. It ranks 14th among boarding schools in England.

• The IB Diploma Programme includes students from 18 countries.

• First-choice universities for 2026 graduates included UCL, University of Bath, and Loughborough,
• International graduate outcomes included sports scholarships at US universities, a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and admission to study Medicine at the University of Tokyo.

The school's three boarding houses accommodate 160 students. Fryer House has 24 places for students in Years 7–9, with separate wings for boys and girls and en-suite rooms for two or three students. The building was fully refurbished in 2022. Reckitt House has 68 places for girls in Years 10–11 and Sixth Form. School House has 68 places for boys at the same stages. Rooms in the lower years accommodate two to four students, while Sixth Form students usually have single rooms.

Five teachers live alongside the students in each boarding house. Each residence, apart from living rooms, includes gaming and cozy living rooms for rest and watching TV, as well as a library for self-preparation and homework. Full and weekly boarding are available, and students in Years 7–9 can stay for a minimum of two nights. The boarding houses do not close for mandatory exeat weekends during the term. About 40% of boarders are based in the United Kingdom, and 47 countries are represented.

Boarders receive three balanced meals a day in the Oakview restaurant. Lunch and dinner include four hot dishes, salad and pasta bars, soups, and desserts. Brunch is served on weekends. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, and allergy-sensitive options are available.

Subject list: biology, business, chemistry, design, drama, geography, history, Information Technology, maths, music, physical education, physics, Religious studies
Activity list: basketball, Circle of art, cricket, football, rugby, swimming, tennis

All children, regardless of the chosen type of accommodation (weekly or full board, full-time form) constantly visit 2-3 leisure and entertainment events on a weekly basis - they are held on weekdays and weekends. The school offers more than 90 clubs every week, about 30% of them in the performing arts.

The sports program includes sessions twice a week and more than 30 sports and activity clubs, including football, hockey, netball, judo, dance, rock climbing, water sports, swimming, and yoga. Very developed sports component: teams and Leighton Park School teams constantly participate in competitions of regional and even national level, win and take prizes, demonstrating impressive personal and team results.

A lot of students are fond of dramatic and musical art: one can practice vocal and play musical instruments, register in a school studio, participate in concerts, competitions, show programs, attend interesting master classes. Twice a year the school organizes a large, complex performance almost at a professional level, and two more times a year the musical is staged: children can play on stage, sew costumes, take responsibility for music and light, act as screenwriters or stage workers.

Film production is very popular among students - many graduates even become directors and cameramen. In 2012, on the campus, a separate radio station was opened, and many students today pay attention to the work on the air and the development of radio programs.

Collective excursions, trips, hikes and expeditions are constantly organized in various regions and cities of Britain and abroad. Academic trips include the National Theatre, Sadler’s Wells, National Gallery, Tate Modern, South Wales, Devon, and Thorpe Park. The weekend program for boarders includes professional sports events, Wimbledon, trips to London and Oxford, West End theaters, go-karting, paintball, bowling, and movies. For high school students, it is offered the opportunity to participate in the fight for the Duke of Edinburgh Prize, engage in charity and work as volunteers, and participate in various social programs.

• Leighton Park is a member of HMC,
• In its 2025 report, ISI rated the school excellent in all areas and identified its values-led approach as a Significant Strength,
• The average IB Diploma Programme class has six students,
• In 2018, under the A-Level program in the UK - 61.7% of students received A * -B marks.

Leighton Park's campus covers 65 acres of parkland near the center of Reading, Berkshire. Access is controlled, and modern security systems are in place.

Academic facilities include bright classrooms for up to 24 students, wet and dry laboratories, a food technology kitchen, a design and engineering workshop, a design studio with professional software and 3D printers, a science center, and an arts center. The Sixth Form Student Centre has a double-height library, lecture hall, videoconferencing studio, café, classrooms, common rooms, and group study areas. The main hall in the Michael Malnick Centre seats up to 420 people.

The music school has teaching and rehearsal rooms, composition studios, a professional recording studio, and a digital media studio. A theater, two drama studios, and a dance studio support the performing arts.

• A 10-acre field for football, rugby, and athletics,
• A full-size floodlit all-weather field, upgraded in 2024,
• Eight tennis courts or six netball courts, two pickleball courts, and a cricket field with a pavilion,
• A sports hall and gym,
• A heated 25-meter indoor pool with a 3.5-meter deep end, fully refurbished in 2021.

For families outside the United Kingdom and EEA, a nonrefundable registration charge applies, and the acceptance deposit equals one term's fees.

Main fees include three meals a day, routine medical care, trips and excursions, extracurricular clubs, supervised study, and an extended school day. Books are usually provided for students in Years 7–11, while Sixth Form students buy their own books for most subjects. Charges for external GCSE, A-Level, BTEC/CTEC, and IB examinations are paid separately.

The price of the course is not included and is paid separately:

• Registration fee
• Educational fee
• Visa fees and services
• Consular fee (payable at the embassy )
• Round trip airfare
• Transfer in both directions
• Custody
• Medical insurance
• Personal pocket expenses.

Extras:

• Registration fee (for a programme/course) 175 GBP
• Deposit for a course/programme 4000 GBP

Applications from international boarders and students applying from overseas are reviewed on a rolling basis, so the school recommends early registration.

After their exams, 95% of Sixth Form students go on to higher education. Among students eligible to remain at the school, 84% continued into Leighton Park Sixth Form.

Every Oxbridge candidate was invited to an interview.

In summer 2026, the average IB Diploma score was 35 out of 45, compared with a global average of 30.3. The school's top score was 42, and 22% of students earned at least 40 points. Grades 5–7 accounted for 79.6% of results, while grades 6–7 accounted for 57.4%.

In 2026, 19% of A-Level students earned only A*–A grades. Across A-Level and equivalent qualifications, 66% of grades were A*–B and 40% were A*–A, compared with a national average of 28.5%. A* grades accounted for 15%, against 10% nationally. More than 70% of grades were A*–B in Art, Further Maths, Geography, Mandarin, Maths, and Russian, while CTEC Sport students earned 100% A*–A grades.

In 2026, 56% of GCSE grades were in the 9–7 range, compared with a national average of 23%, and 63% of students earned at least one grade 9. Average results were nearly one grade above national-data predictions, placing the school in the top 10% for academic progress. The share of grades 9–7 reached 70% in Design & Technology, 73% in Geography, 69% in Maths, 70% in Further Maths, and 73% in Physics. All grades in Japanese, Russian, Turkish, German, and Italian were in the 9–7 range. The pass rates were 96% for A-Level and 99% for GCSE.

Leighton Park School welcomes the preliminary visit to the campus before applying for admission: there are numerous open days, special taster days (the visiting children become temporarily pupils of the institution, participate in events, get to know teachers, educators and other students).

All entrants are waiting for the exam in English, mathematics, checking the skill of logical thinking, as well as individual interview. The package of documents should include characteristics from teachers from the previous school (usually a class teacher, a mathematics teacher and an English teacher), and a report card with grades - the higher your current performance, the more chances you have for successful enrollment.

• Each year, the school offers five scholarships to top candidates for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, worth up to 30% of day fees,
• Ian Austin Bursary Awards are available to IB Diploma Programme students with strong academic or musical ability. Support is means-tested and can cover up to 100% of day fees for the two years of Sixth Form,
• The Ian Austin Sixth Form Award is available to candidates with strong academic or musical ability, is means-tested, and usually covers 50–100% of fees,
• The Main Bursary Fund usually covers up to 50% of fees. Awards above this level are very limited, and support is reviewed annually,
• The Head's Scholarship Award usually covers 5–10% of day fees and up to 30% for exceptional candidates,
• The Sixth Form Scholarship Award in Ethical Changemaker, International Baccalaureate (IB), and STEAM usually covers 5–10% of day fees and up to 30% for exceptional candidates,
• The Exhibition Scholarship Award provides a fixed monetary award. Music Scholars receive one free music lesson each week,
• The Honorary Scholarship Award provides no fee reduction or cash award but gives access to a program of events,
• Financial assistance is available to families who could not otherwise accept the school's offer and to current families whose circumstances change significantly. The assessment considers income, savings, investments, and property. It may include a home visit and interview. Assistance does not cover uniforms, equipment, or trips and does not affect the outcome of the entrance assessment.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision