A couple of decades ago the clever people at Levis had an idea. They were searching for something new and distinctive about their latest version of 501 jeans. What could possibly set apart one manufacturer from all the others making hard-wearing cotton trousers?
They made them available in black.
Levi 501s were an overnight sensation after an advertising campaign in which, to a reassuring 60s Soul soundtrack, a young man broke the rules by getting into a nightclub wearing his 501s because the sign outside the door said "No Blue Jeans". Levis had a traditional, mainstream product. They had their own reassuring history of quality. This, however, was not enough without a twist. They provided that twist simply and cleverly.
I have been wondering what makes schools distinct from one another. Certainly, in this part of the UK, we are in a buyers' market. There are very many first rate schools - both in the maintained and independent sectors. All of them promise to develop well-rounded students, excellent examination results, and a preparation for life. One would be forgiven for thinking that a child need only turn up, and they would flourish at any one of these schools. This is a challenge for those of us who believe in what we are doing and, indeed, are passionate about it. What makes our school so very special? Why should people place their trust in us?
A school should be based on a firm footing of values. A Quaker school provides these values. However, what I have seen during this first year of my tenure as Head is that these values are lived out tangibly by those who live and work here, as well as those who might have left us years ago. Many Old Leightonians have let their lives speak in their own fields of medicine, engineering, design, the creative arts, or business. What sets them apart is their moral responsibility and integrity, true to the Quaker testimonies which guided them at school. These values not only remain at Leighton Park, but are fervently held. This is different from many schools, which may be founded on ideas, religious belief, or dogma, but pay only lip service to it.
An illustration of this in reality is our Meeting for Worship. To begin with, the 500 students sit in complete silence for up to half an hour. (This in itself is remarkable!). Then, motivated by a deep need to speak, students and teachers stand to express before the entire school that which is on their mind. Some are religious reflections on the spiritual experience of the Meeting. Others are testimonies about feelings, profoundly held, of friendship, love, or a need for some form of support. Children stand before the whole school and talk about their feelings of helplessness because a relative is ill, or speak about how they value a close friend. Once a deaf student spoke with utter joy about the experience of being part of a musical production, despite losing his hearing three years previously. Every week the children of the school listen to their peers expressing these emotions and sentiments, and there is a communal gathering of will which is supportive, nourishing, and protective. It develops relationships from which the school benefits in a wide range of contexts. As a result, this is the happiest school that I have ever known, and happy children are purposeful children, unafraid to stand up for their beliefs or to take risks. They are willing to think differently, accept deviations from convention, and seek the truth. They become mature, creative, and able to work with one another. As a result, Leighton Park offers the reassurance of 121 years of history, and we have the experience to produce well-rounded individuals who can achieve academic success. We are very similar in these respects to many of the super schools around us. But where we differ is in the relationships between children, and between children and staff. Leighton Park is a community which accepts its individual members, and embraces diversity. We think differently, and stand out from the crowd. It is a wonderful place to live and learn!