We understand that choosing a school for your child is an incredibly important decision. We want to make our school admissions process as straightforward as possible and 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. Please watch our video, or read below, to 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 and Fiona, Admissions Team
T: +44 0118 987 9608 E: [email protected]
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. We also consider new applications for other years if we have places available. Please contact the Admissions Team to check availability for entry into Years 8, 10 or our Pre-Sixth Programme. We do not accept applications into Year 11 or Upper Sixth.
September 2025 Entry If you are looking for an in-year start, please do contact the Admissions Team directly.
September 2026 Entry
Lower Sixth Entry:
Year 9 Entry:
Year 7 Entry:
Overseas Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Early registration is advised as demand for places is high.
Contact Claire and Fiona, Admissions Team: T: +44 0118 987 9608 E: [email protected]
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. Please see our Admissions Policy and Standard Terms & Conditions for full details or see our application process below.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We’re committed to helping more young people reach their potential and become global change-makers through an education with Leighton Park.
Scholarships are based on merit and are available across a range of areas, including Academic, Art, Ethical Changemaking, Dance, Drama, Music, Sport and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). Find out more on our Scholarships page.
We have two bursary funds offering means-tested support to families. Our main bursary fund supports students across all year groups. The Ian Austin Bursary Awards are available for Sixth Form students with particular academic ability and/or musical talent. Find out more on our Bursaries page.
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. Watch our short How to Apply video, for instructions on how to use the Admissions Portal.
UK Applications for September 2026 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.
Year 7 Entry: entrance tests will be held on Saturday 10th January 2025.
If you are considering your child joining us in Year 9, September 2027 or 2028:
The appropriate academic year (e.g. 2027-2028) of entry should be selected at the point of registration. Scholarships and bursaries 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.
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.
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 EEA nationals is £150 and for non-EEA nationals is £2250.
If you have any questions during this process, please contact Claire and Fiona in the Admissions Team:
Years 7 to 10
Once we’ve received your registration form, we’ll invite your child to sit our entrance tests.
For Year 7 – Year 10 applicants, the entrance tests 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.
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 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 grade 7 in any subjects students are planning to study at A Level or as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Programme. A grade 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.
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. This allows a smooth transition the their new school.
Take the next step by selecting an option below, or if you want to drop us a quick message, you can do so with the form.
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