13+ entry | applying for Year 9 at Leighton Park

Find out more about Year 9 entry at Leighton Park, also sometimes known as 13+ entry
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Year 9 at Leighton Park

Year 9 is the first year of our Senior School with a curriculum designed to stretch and inspire. Students experience lots of trips and experiential learning, an incredible range of co-curricular and sporting opportunities, as well as having their own base and Head of Year. They benefit from the specialist teachers and facilities within a nurturing and caring community. This outstanding foundation supports our GCSE students to be in the top 1% for academic progress in the UK, according to ALPS data.

Key dates for Y13+ entry

Year 7 is our main entry point, with 60 students joining this year group. Find out more about our provision at Year 9 or explore our Year 9 curriculum.

  • Deadline for registration – Friday 15th November 2024
  • Deadline for applying for a Scholarship or Bursary – Friday 15th November 2024
  • Assessment Day – Wednesday 27th November 2024

Overseas Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Early registration is advised as demand for places is high.

Contact Claire, Fiona and Nickee in the Admissions Team:
T: +44 0118 987 9608
E: [email protected]

13+ entry overview

Leighton Park is a selective independent school and 13+ entry is determined by academic assessments.  We base our entrance tests  on what students are learning during Year 8, so if your child is working at the expected (or above) standard for their age, they will likely do well in our assessments.

We consider academic performance alongside your child’s references, reports and an interview.

Check our Admissions Policy and Standard Terms & Conditions for full details or see our application process below.

Applying to Leighton Park for 13+ entry

You can make a Year 9 application to Leighton Park via our Admissions Portal, where, once registered, you will have the chance to track where your child is in the process and see what you need to do next. Watch our short How to Apply video, for instructions on how to use the Admissions Portal.

UK Applications for September 2025 and beyond

The Registration Form for UK Students is for children who are permanently resident in the UK. You will be asked to upload a copy of your child’s most recent school report and passport. The registration fee of £150 can be paid at the end of the registration form. Please note: this fee is non-refundable.

International Applications

International applications are made on a rolling basis, and you are encouraged to apply between September and March the academic year prior to your child joining the School.

There is a two-step process for families who do not live in the UK.

Step one – complete the Admissions Enquiry for International Students Form.

Step two – once we have reviewed this, we will ask you to complete the relevant registration form which you will find as a Checklist item on the Admissions Portal.  Payment of the non-refundable registration fee can be made once the registration form has been completed, using a credit or debit card. The registration fee for European Economic Area (EEA) nationals is £150 and for non-EEA nationals is £200.

If you have any questions during this process, please contact Claire, Fiona and Nickee in the Admissions Team:

All registered students will be invited to sit assessments.

Assessment Day for students resident in the UK is Wednesday 27th November 2024.

During the day, students will sit assessments in Maths, English, a piece of creative writing and an interview. They will also take part in group activities and enjoy lunch with our current students.

Please be aware that there are no past papers that can be provided and we prefer to see a student’s natural ability.

Students resident overseas can sit the tests remotely at a mutually convenient time and under the supervision of their current school or a trusted educational agent.

Students will have a short interview with a senior member of staff. All staff are experienced at interviewing students and helping them to feel confident about talking about their interests.

If you’re applying from overseas, we can make arrangements for students to sit the tests and attend the interview remotely. Please contact the Admissions Team for more information.

We will contact your child’s school to request a confidential reference from the Head. New students are not able to start at Leighton Park until a reference has been received and reviewed.

Places are offered based on your child’s performance during the assessment day, as well as their report and references.

If you wish to enter your child for deferred entry (e.g. for entry in Year 9 in September 2026 or September 2027), they will be invited to the Entrance Test Day on Saturday 11th January 2025.

Deferred places are given to students who perform well in the assessments.

Please state that you are considering a deferred place at point of registration.

Information about how to accept a place

We’ll send you an acceptance form with an offer of a place for your child. We ask that you return this with an acceptance deposit as soon as possible as places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once you have accepted your child’s place, we will offer them an orientation day in the Summer Term and an induction day in September, as well as invitations to social events to help your child feel confident over the summer and allow a smooth transition to their new school.

Merit-based scholarships and means-tested Bursaries are available. Potential academic scholars will be invited back based on their performance in our entrance assessments. Families wishing to apply for all other scholarships, such as Art, Dance Drama, Music and Sport, and our bursaries, should make separate applications for these – following the instructions on the Scholarships and Bursaries webpages.

Dance

"Leighton Park is kind, I love the fact that pupils can call teachers by their first names. There is a lot of mutual respect - with teachers having a lot of respect for individuality - no matter what the child is trying to do, the teachers will try and support them."

Leighton Park parent

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Shinfield Road
Reading
Berkshire, UK
RG2 7DE
+44 (0) 118 987 9600
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