Welcome to our admissions pages
Take a look +
We understand that choosing a school for your child is an incredibly important decision. At Leighton Park we are here to assist you every step of the way.
There are plenty of opportunities to visit the School, including Open Days, Taster Days and individual tours. Find out more on our events and visits page. Below, you can find an overview of the application process, including important deadlines.
Please do get in touch if you wish to speak to a member of the team about your child’s application. We are very happy to help.
Claire, Fiona and Nickee, Admissions Team
What we're looking for
We’re always looking to enrich our community here at Leighton Park with students who’re committed to getting the most out of the opportunities we have to offer. Young people with an innate drive to achieve the very best they can, and a deep desire to develop and grow.
We embrace a broad and rich curriculum but are particularly well-known for the strength of our STEAM academic approach, excellence in Music and commitment to Ethical Changemakers and welcome applications from students with a passion for developing their skills and talents in these areas.
We typically admit new students to years 7, 9 and Lower Sixth, but we also consider new applications for other years.
Leighton Park does not use 11 plus exams to assess students and preparing your child in how to pass the 11 plus will not be an advantage. The interview is the a key part of our entrance assessments, supported by Maths and English tests to assess students’ attainment in these subjects.
Key dates and contacts
Places have now been allocated for students living in the UK who are looking to join us in this academic year.
Should you wish your child to be considered for a place, you are welcome to complete the registration form. However your child will only be considered should a place become available. Please note that the registration fee is non-refundable.
September 2023 Entry
Registration has now closed for Students living in the UK
Lower Sixth Applications
Registration has now closed for UK resident Sixth Form candidates.
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: admissions@leightonpark.com
Admissions overview
Leighton Park is a selective independent school. Prospective students are required to meet certain academic standards; we consider these alongside your child’s references, reports and the interview. We also look at whether the student has siblings at the School. Have a look at our Admissions Policy and Standard Terms & Conditions for full details or see our application process below.
Why not visit us to get a feel for life at the School.
Applying to Leighton Park
Applications can be made 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.
UK Applications for September 2024 and beyond
The Registration Form for UK Students is for children who are permanently resident in the UK or hold a UK Passport. You will be asked to upload a copy of the student’s most recent school reports and passport. The Registration Fee of £100 can be paid a the end of the registration form. Please note: this fee is non-refundable.
Entrance Tests will be held in January 2024.
If you are considering your child joining us in Year 9 there are two options:
- You can apply for a deferred place when your child is in Year 6.
- You can apply when your child is in Year 8.
The appropriate Academic year (e.g. 2024-2025) of entry should be selected at the point of registration. In both cases assessments are usually held in January. Scholarships and bursary awards must be applied for in Year 8 and cannot be deferred. Students holding a deferred place can subsequently apply for scholarships and bursaries when in Year 8.
Sixth Form applications for students based in the UK should be made by the application deadline in November.
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 students who do not live in the UK and do not hold a UK Passport.
Step one – complete the Admissions Enquiry for International Students.
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 application fee can be made once the registration form has been completed, using a credit or debit card. The Registration Fee for EEA nationals is £100, for non-EEA nationals is £175.
If you have any questions during this process, please contact Claire, Fiona and Nickee in the Admissions Team:
- Email: admissions@leightonpark.com, or
- Call: 0118 987 9608
Years 7 to 10
Once we’ve received your registration form, we’ll invite your child to sit our entrance tests.
The tests take place at the School on Saturday 13th January 2024. They last about three hours and include tests in Maths, English, a piece of creative writing and an interview.
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.
Sixth Form
We don’t usually ask students to sit an entrance test if they are taking GCSEs. If students aren’t sitting GCSEs or iGCSEs they will be asked to sit a Mathematics and English test. If English isn’t their first language, we will ask the student to sit an EAL (English as Additional Language) test.
UK Sixth Form candidates will be invited to interviews in early December 2023. Overseas candidates will be interviewed via Zoom.
All students will also have a short interview with a senior member of staff.
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.
As part of the application, we will ask for a copy of your child’s most recent school report and a confidential reference from the head teacher of their current school. New students are not able to start at Leighton Park until these documents have been received and reviewed.
How we assess applicants
For Years 7 and 9, we’ll offer places based on your child’s performance in the entrance tests and the interview, as well as their report and references.
For Sixth Form, we’ll base a conditional offer on GCSE results, references and the interview. We’ll ask for proof of at least five GCSE passes or equivalent at grade 6 or above, and grades 7 in any subjects students are planning to study at A Level or as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Programme. A 8 at GCSE is required in order to study Further Mathematics at A Level or Higher Level on the IB.
We’ll contact you by post about three weeks after the entrance tests and/or interview to let you know if your child has been successful.
Leighton Park does not use 11 plus exam papers to assess students and preparing your child for 11 plus maths or other exams will offer them no advantage. Our assessments are based on attainment and so will only include content that the student will have covered at school. We want all students to have a level playing field in applying to the School. We do not recommend 11 plus exam papers or 11 plus books in preparing for our entrance assessments. The best preparation for our assessments is for students to work hard at their current school and ensure they are comfortable with all the Maths and English topics that they have covered.
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.
If you’re living outside the EEA, you’ll also need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) in order to make your visa application to study in the UK.
Have a look at our fees information to understand more about what they include.
We’re committed to improving access to an education at Leighton Park, so Scholarships and Bursaries are also available. Please note: Bursaries and Scholarships must be applied for prior to the closing date for applications.
