A level excellence at Leighton Park School

Recognised as the top school in Berkshire and in the top 40 nationally by Government’s new league tables for Sixth Form progress, Leighton Park staff and students already had cause to celebrate the success of their Sixth Form education. Even so, it was a delight to see so many smiling faces on the Park today as excited students grabbed their brollies and braved the downpours to collect their A level results.

Head of Sixth Form, Helen Taylor, remarked, “The increase in our percentage of A*-B grades to 61.7% this year is excellent news. It is testament to the quality of teaching for the new linear A levels, and the hard work and application of our students who met and exceeded the grades required by their Russell Group Universities.”

Deputy Head (Academic), Karen Gracie-Langrick, commented, “In contrast to many schools, we encourage students to study four AS levels in the Lower Sixth. It is excellent preparation for their full A Levels, offering a secure measure of rigorous academic performance, and it maintains greater breadth of subjects for as long as possible. Indeed, several of our students enjoy their AS level subjects so much, they go on to do four full A Levels.”

One such high achiever was Jonty Hyde, who took four A Levels (A*AAB) and was awarded a 7, the highest possible mark, in the Philosophy module of his International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Jonty, who has been heavily involved with supporting musical and dramatic performances throughout his time at Leighton Park, culminating in his role as Prefect and Head of Tech Crew, is looking forward to reading Film Studies at Warwick after a gap year in Japan. “I’m really pleased. Thankfully the results were what I was expecting and I am grateful to everyone for being so supportive whenever I needed it.” Karen Gracie-Langrick added, “We are looking forward to welcoming Jonty back for the opening of our new Music and Media Centre next term, which will have state of the art film production facilities supporting our BTEC in Creative Digital Media Production and exciting partnership with Pinewood Studios.”

Another example of the school’s strength in the Creative Arts is Rowan Taylor, who at 15 years old is the school’s youngest A Level candidate, achieving an A grade for her Creative Writing in Year 10. “I really wasn’t very good at writing before I joined Leighton Park, but the teacher who ran the Creative Writing hobby was so encouraging and helpful; he really pushed me to do the AS Level last year and the A Level this year. I am so pleased I did!”

Cat Mulvihill, destined for the University of Sussex with her AAB grades in Geography, Psychology and English Literature, was delighted with her results, “Last night I was very, very scared and I didn’t think I’d do well at all; certainly not this well!”. Cat’s mum, Jane, was equally insomniac but proud as well as tired this morning, “I am relieved and very proud of her; she worked really hard, especially towards the end.”

The school was recognised for its excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) provision by the Education Business Awards in June, winning the ICT Facilities Award, sponsored by Fujitsu, and being shortlisted and highly commended for the STEM Award. The Community Education Awards, sponsored by Costa, awarded Leighton Park 2nd place in their STEM Innovation Awards, beating over 350 other schools. The achievements follow Intel and IT solutions specialists, XMA, awarding Leighton Park the latest Ripple Effect Prize, recognising schools at the forefront of using technology to support student learning. Such a STEM focus has clearly benefitted the students with impressive results in STEM subjects including Maths (73% A*-B), Design and Technology (86% A*-B) and Chemistry (73% A*-B).

Jack Bowes-Reynolds, who describes himself “a bit of a mad scientist!” also said, “I am pleased with my 3 A grades. I felt a little anxious this morning but I knew I’d done my best and I’m looking forward to studying Space Science at Leicester, which has a real specialism in the area. I’m most interested in how space technology is used and the different applications for it on earth. I’ll really miss the calm environment of Leighton Park.”

Seb Milhofer, one of the school’s STEM Ambassadors, helping to guide the direction of STEM and the student experience of science, is taking his 3 A* grades to read Maths at Bristol next year. “I’m happy with these results and looking forward to new experiences in Bristol. I’ve enjoyed life at Leighton Park and will miss the people.” he commented.

Another of Leighton Park’s STEM Ambassadors, Olly Nicholls, whose 3 A grades in Chemistry, Maths and Physics have secured him a place at Bath to read Physics, is feeling relieved, “It’s nice to have it all over,” he commented, “You have to work hard and motivate yourself in the Sixth Form. I did work hard; what you put in, you get out.” Henry Middleton also gained 3 A grades in the sciences and is taking a gap year to travel Asia and focus on his ABRSM Diploma having already earned a Grade 8 for his oboe talents before studying Civil Engineering at Edinburgh University. Other accomplished musicians in the 2018 cohort include Ravi Nathwani who with his 3 A grades in Geography, Maths and Music will be studying Classical Guitar at The Royal Northern College of Music. Delighted Director of Music, Rosemary Scales, commented, “We are extremely proud of Ravi and we know that he is going to thrive studying at one of the country’s top music conservatoires.”