Top grades a triumph at Leighton Park School

The highest proportion of top level GCSE grades for 14 years has been achieved by Leighton Park’s Year 11 students today. Celebrating 55% of results at grades 7-9 equivalent, an impressive year-on-year increase of 4% on the highest scoring results, the 84-strong cohort racked up 35% at grades 8-9 equivalent with 15% at grade 9.

Matthew Judd, Head, commented: “These outstanding results represent a magnificent achievement for the Year 11 Leighton Park students. This year’s GCSE results are our best for a long time with over the half the grades at the top levels; the students and staff have worked incredibly hard to achieve these and I wholeheartedly congratulate them on this considerable success.”

Karen Gracie-Langrick, Deputy Head (Academic), added: “I am delighted that the strength and support of our academic staff has provided such a positive learning environment for our students, whose efforts and commitment to their own academic progress have clearly paid off today, resulting in an fantastic set of results which, at the highest level, haven’t been bettered for more than a decade.”

Keen to repeat their academic success in the Sixth Form, which ranked in the top 3% in England for academic progress, many students are already looking forward to returning in September. Annie Milhofer, whose seven grade 9s, two grade 7s and an A, secure her place to study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Design Technology. “I’m really happy; especially with my Geography result – I never expected to get a 9!” she laughed. Annie also collected her A grade in her Free Standing Maths Qualification (FSMQ) result last week on A Level results day. The FMSQ, which is taught outside the timetabled curriculum, is an opportunity for more able students to extend their Mathematics beyond GCSE and is excellent preparation for A Level.

Rowan Taylor, who over the last two years has already achieved her Creative Writing AS and A Levels, was all smiles over her four grade 9s, four grade 8s, one grade 7 and an A: “It’s great, I feel brilliant!” she grinned, “I was at a different secondary school before and I honestly think I would have been one or two grades lower across all my subjects if I’d stayed there. Leighton Park gives you a real start; there are small class sizes and well qualified teachers who know how to teach to the exam. The teachers here have higher expectations.” Rowan will be joining the School’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the Sixth Form.

With many of her cohort off to Reading Festival over the weekend Ellie Pearson, bucked the trend with her plan for two hours of celebratory pre-season football training this evening, despite an offer of a slap-up meal from her mother! “I am very proud of her – she did work very hard,” said Mrs Pearson, “I’m just delighted! Really, really pleased with how she’s done.” “I’m shocked!” laughed Ellie, over her two grade 9s, two grade 8s and five 7s.

Specialising in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) the School delivered a significant number of top level grades across the STEAM subjects. For Grades 7-9 scores for Combined Science (81%), Physics and Chemistry (both 74%) and Maths (66%) were excellent. Humanities were equally strong with History and Geography students achieving 74% and 72% grades 7-9 respectively.

Hari Gupta’s parents were pleased and relieved that his grades will enable him to study Maths, Further Maths and Economics in the Sixth Form. “Leighton Park has definitely prepared Hari better for the future,” they reflected.

Jessie Sumroy was delighted with her seven grade 9s, one grade 8 and an A: “I am so happy, I couldn’t have asked for better results. It was hard work but it was worth it!”. Jessie has her sights set on a sparkling stage career as she looks forward to starting her musical theatre, dance and English Literature courses. Jessie is celebrating by going to Barcelona but not before brunch with her friend, Zel Spence Palmer, whose two grade 9s, six grade 8s and an A* have definitely earned her a blueberry pancake!

Leighton Park School, located in 65 acres of beautiful parkland, opposite the University of Reading, offers GCSE students the opportunity to choose from a broad range of 27 subjects. In addition, Leighton Park also offers a rigorous one-year Pre-Sixth Form course primarily for international students seeking an intensive programme of study prior to Sixth Form.

Students currently in Year 9 and their families are welcome to find out more about the GCSE or Pre-Sixth Form courses at Leighton Park at the school’s annual open morning on Saturday 28th September 2019, 9.00-11.00am. Book online at www.leightonpark.com/visitus.