Leighton Park Top Performing School for Third Year Running

Leighton Park has been listed as one of the country’s top performing schools for Sixth Form education for the third year running, according to data released by the Department for Education (DfE) on 24th January, 2020.

Recognised as the best performing school in Berkshire and 27th in England for the academic progress of its 2019 Leavers, Leighton Park added 0.6 of a grade on average to its students’ achievements. The School’s value-add contribution has secured a ranking of 8th in England when looking at schools with a cohort of at least 50.

Leighton Park’s consistently high performance in the Government’s leagues tables makes it unusual, being the only school in Berkshire, and one of only eight nationally, that have appeared in the top 100 every year since the league tables started in 2018.

“Our calm, purposeful School combines the breadth of learning traditionally valued by UK independent schools with a forward-thinking approach to education, inspired by our Quaker values. The highest quality teaching and learning are of course at the heart of our approach but can only be most effective when combined with a focus on values, character and community. Our aim is to inspire students to be independent learners with a determined desire to be the changemakers of the future. It is heartening that Leighton Park continues to be recognised by the DfE through this important and impartial measure,” commented Deputy Head (Academic), Karen Gracie-Langrick.

Through the extensive co-curricular programme, the nurturing pastoral care and the Quaker ethos, students are given the confidence and courage to push themselves to their cerebral limits without fear of failure or judgement. Matthew Judd, Head, is delighted with the latest figures: “I am naturally very pleased that the hard work of our students and teachers has been recognised again. Our continued success is a tremendous affirmation of our approach at Leighton Park and our commitment to forming young people of real character and confidence. Outstanding academic results are very much the consequence of the School’s distinctive approach rather than the object.”

The DfE’s data aims to show the academic progress students aged 16-18 have made since joining a school. The tables were introduced by the Government in 2018. The previous system showed the percentage of students achieving A* to C and was considered unfair by many as it took no account of students’ starting levels and therefore the actual impact the school had had on students’ academic attainment. The DfE does not include Independent Schools in its equivalent Secondary table, which looks at performance at the end of Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). While all league tables must be viewed with a degree of caution, we are naturally delighted that the Government’s measure recognises not only academic achievement but also the impact of the outstanding and dedicated work of our vibrant learning community.