Leighton Park wins important national award

Leighton Park has won Senior School of the Year in the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Awards 2023. The ISA is the largest independent schools’ body in the UK. This success comes on the back of Leighton Park also being acknowledged as one of the country’s best independent schools in the prestigious TES Schools Awards 2023.

The co-ed school for girls and boys aged 11-18 achieves the best academic progress among Sixth Form leavers in Berkshire and combines this with awardwinning pupil personal development and sector-leading pastoral care. The School is known for its STEAM academic approach and the strength of its music department. Among the factors considered by the judges were the school’s distinctive emphasis on problem-based learning, its values-led education based on the school’s Quaker values and the focus on nurturing future-ready leaders. 

Head, Matthew LS Judd, commented: “It is a humbling and wonderful achievement to be acknowledged as both the best independent school in the country by the largest independent schools’ body and as one of the very best in the TES Schools Awards. This is a phenomenal recognition of all the hard work and dedication of our entire community, including our excellent staff and governors, talented students and supportive parents and OLs.”

Chair of Governors, Eme Dean-Lewis reflected: “Leighton Park is a vibrant learning community based on Quaker values, where everyone is encouraged to imagine a better world. The School nurtures each student to reflect on who they are and what they want to achieve – helping each individual to distil their sense of purpose. The School works tirelessly to support each student to achieve their goals, through close tutor support, inspiring teaching and by fostering a determined desire to be the ethical changemakers of the future.”

In the same awards, the school is also a Finalist for the Award for Excellence in Sustainability. Leighton Park won the Green Senior School Award 2023 and were also Finalists in the Independent Schools of the Year 2023 Award for Environmental Achievement. 

Sustainability Co-ordinator and Head of Geography, Oliver Staines, commented: "Working in this school and environment, it is such a special privilege to witness and be involved in helping to facilitate the passionate work of so many students and members of staff committed to leaving the community in a more sustainable place than they found it.”

Leighton Park has received several recent accolades. The most recent UK Government analysis shows that the school’s Sixth Form leavers achieve the best academic progress in Berkshire, while the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded it excellent in all areas in January 2022 – the highest possible attainment for an independent school. 

The School was recognised as a national leader for Pupil Personal Development in 2022, winning the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Award for Excellence in this area. In the same, year the School gained the Wellbeing Award for Schools, accredited by the National Children’s Bureau.