Creative Arts at Leighton Park

Turning ideas into reality

Set your imagination free. As a leading school for creativity, we have the skills and equipment to help you bring your most fantastical ideas to life.

We encourage originality and innovation, including with the ways you face the challenges of the creative process. There’s a wide variety of media to explore, and the relaxed department is a peaceful space to spend your time.

Girl soldering

Design

Everyone gets the chance to dive into Design Technology and Engineering in Years 7, 8 and 9. Leighton Park is one of the only schools in England to offer both DT and Engineering at GCSE, with DT available at A Level.

Let your imagination run wild in our Design Studio, using industry-standard software and 3D printers. Our design studio and massive workshop have it all – laser engravers, cam routers, lathes, aluminium welding – everything you need to bring your designs to life. Explore, invent, and build your dreams!

Co-curricular options include Design & Build, Repair Shop, 3D CAD and STEAM Club, where students work on individual or team research projects.

Take a look at the DT Workshop +
Girl in DT Workshop

Art

Our Art department has nine specialist art studios, including ceramics, textiles, graphic art, print making, photography and several painting studios. Sixth Formers benefit from their own studio space in the Sixth Form Art Centre.

Each year, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your art in exhibitions and enter competitions. And with three specialist teachers in your corner, plus an artist in residence, you’ll have plenty of support for all your endeavours.

Art Studio

Textiles

Have fun as you explore and experiment with different media and techniques. You’ll learn how to sew, and how to use the sewing machine for things like embroidery – or even as a drawing tool.

Experience the thrill of designing a product, making it and seeing it come to life. Work independently or collaborate with friends: teachers will always be on hand to support and advise as you progress.

You can study Textile Design at GCSE level, or as part of Art, Craft & Design at A Level. Or you can learn some skills in our dressmaking or sewing clubs.

Girl in textiles

Film production

Film production is one of our most popular hobbies, and it’s not hard to see why.

Our film studio is fully equipped with Apple computers for editing, a 4K projector and an incredible sound system. There’s a green screen for special effects and cupboards full of industry-standard cameras, lighting and microphones.

We also have a partnership with Pinewood Studios to make sure we’re always in step with the changing needs of the industry.

We’re unusual in offering Film Production as an academic subject qualification at BTEC Level 2 and Level 3.

Take a look at our Creative Digital Media Studio +
TV and Film studio

Music Tech

Music Tech is a big deal at Leighton Park, reflected in the fact that our students have won top place in at least one age category in the national ISA Composition Competition every year for the last five years.

You’ll benefit from our partnerships with Yamaha, Sontronics and Steinberg. Produce new music in our Live Lounge recording studios or two specialist composition studios. Use industry-standard microphones and software and make the most of the fact that we’re a Steinberg Certified Training Partner.

Music Tech is one is a hugely popular co-curricular activity at Leighton Park but students can also go on to study Music Tech A Levels or advance their passion for music technology as part of IB Diploma Music.

Music Tech

Food Tech

Our ‘Great British Bake Off’ style kitchen will inspire your culinary creations.

Food Tech classes start in Year 9, preparing students for the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE but cooking and baking co-curricular activities are available at every age, from ‘Fryer and the Chocolate Factory’ in Year 7 to ‘Cooking for University’ in the Sixth Form.

Take a look at Food Tech +
Fryer Chocoloate

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