Why you should consider the IB Diploma at Leighton Park
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Diploma) is considered the Gold Standard in international education and is ideal if you’re a curious student with broad interests, who enjoys project-based learning and has a global mindset.
- IB Diploma Students are three times more likely to go to a top 20 UK university
- 97% of university admissions officers in the UK rate the IB Diploma Programme as the best preperation for university
| Benefit From Oxbridge Tutorial-Style Teaching |
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| Our average IB class size is six students, which are led by IB teachers with an unparalleled depth of knowledge in their subjects. |
| Academic Excellence |
| Our average IB Diploma score (Summer 2025) was 36 points out of 45 (the global average was 30.3). Many of our students achieve scores of 38+, helping them to stand out in competitive applications and making them eligible for the most sought after degrees and universities in the world. |
| Keep Your Options Open |
| The IB Diploma is ideal if you are not yet ready to decide what you want to do with your life. You can keep going with more of your interests, so your university and careers options will be broader when choosing what you want to do after school. |
| Global Community |
| You'll study with a friendly and supportive group of students from around the world, with 18 countries currently represented on the IB Diploma Programme. |
| Incredible University Offers |
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Our specialist Careers Team have an excellent track record in supporting students to achieve top university offers, both in the UK and internationally, with particularly strong programmes for students applying for Oxbridge, Medicine and Law.
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| Unparalleled Support |
| You'll benefit from a personal tutor to support you with your academic progress and personal development and you'll see your tutor three times every day as part of your tutor group. The IB Diploma is led by Kees Luteijn, an Assistant Head, providing incredible support for our IB students. |
| Our Location |
| Set in 65 acres of beautiful parkland, the School is just 25 minutes from London, and 30 minutes from Heathrow. |
IB Diploma Curriculum
The IB enables you to keep your options open if you're still not sure what you want to do after school. You’ll study six subjects in total but in less depth than A Levels. You'll study three subjects at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, plus these three core elements:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK), when you’ll reflect on the nature of knowledge
- Extended Essay, an independent, self-directed piece of research
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), where project work will help you develop softer skills like teamwork and empathy.
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IB Diploma Programme subjects
| Studies in Literature and Language | Language Acquisition | Individuals and Societies | Sciences | Maths | The Arts + |
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| English A (SL) (HL) | English B (SL) (HL) | Global Politics (SL) (HL) | Biology (SL) (HL) | Applications and Interpretation (SL) (HL) | Chemistry (HL) |
| Italian A (SL) (HL) | French B (SL) (HL) | History (SL) (HL) | Physics (SL) | Economics (SL) (HL) | |
| German A (SL) (HL) | Spanish Ab Initio (SL) | Psychology (SL) (HL) | Music (SL) (HL) | ||
| School Supported Self-Study (SL) | Spanish B (SL) | Visual Arts (SL) (HL) |
IB Subjects and University Destinations
Our IB Diploma students secure places on some of the most competitive university programmes. Please see some examples below or take a look at our Academic Success and Destinations page to find further details of the support available at Leighton Park.
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Sixth Form Life
As a Sixth Former, you’ll experience all that Leighton Park has to offer, with added independence.
With tutor groups of just 11 students, you’ll get personalised, daily support. And while your teachers are always available to guide you, you’ll take ownership of your own IB studies. We have nearly 100 co-curricular activites for you to explore, with everything from debating to Ju Jitsu.
You’ll also reap the benefits of our new Sixth Form Student Centre. Designed to support your success, it features a double height library, lecture theatre, video conferencing studio, café, common rooms, classrooms and group study hubs - everything you need to thrive, both academically and socially.
See Why Our Students Chose the IB Diploma
Want to know more? Hear our IB students’ reasons for choosing an IB Diploma at Leighton Park.
Marta from SpainMarta will study Engineering at university |
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Aidan from the United StatesAidan will study Fine Arts at university |
Henry from EnglandHenry will study Neuroscience at university |
Personal Development
We were delighted to win the Award for Future Readiness 2024-2025 because it reflects our belief in nurturing the whole student and cultivating the skills you need to develop and grow as a person.
As well as games twice a week, you can choose from nearly 100 co-curricular clubs to learn new skills, stretch yourself and make friends for life. Whether your interests lie in music, the performing arts, sport or elsewhere, there’s something for you. And as a Sixth Former, you’ll also have the opportunity to lead activities.
Meanwhile, our Oakleaf Diploma and CAS personal development programme teaches strong values, builds character and instils a sense of community in our Sixth Formers. All the skills that are so valuable in later life and lay the foundations for future changemakers.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We offer five scholarships each year to top candidates on the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with a financial value of up to 30% of the day fee. Applications for these scholarships are open from mid-October via our Scholarships page.
Our Ian Austin Bursary Awards are available for IB Diploma Programme students with particular academic ability and/or musical talent. They are means-tested and cover up to 100% of the day fee for the two years of Sixth Form.
Meet Our IB Students
Did you know, IB Diploma students are three times more likely to enrol in a top 20 UK university? See where some of our IB students ended up and what they loved about Leighton Park.
Would the IB Suit Me?
Wondering if the IB Diploma is the right choice for you? If you recognise yourself in the list below, then it could be.
- You have broad interests and like working on projects
- You like to embrace diverse perspectives and cultures
- You don’t want to narrow your options down at this stage of your education
- You want to have more contact time with teachers
- You like the interdisciplinary nature of the IB Diploma Programme and the opportunity to explore open-ended questions with more scope for creativity
Myth Busting the IB
| Is there more work on the IB Diploma Programme than A Levels? |
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You’ll study more subjects, but that doesn’t mean there’s more work. Students on the IB Diploma Programme study six subjects compared to A Level students’ three or four. There’s less content for each of the six subjects than for A Level, but you’ll study three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level. So you’ll get a depth of understanding equivalent to A Level with the flexibility of a broad curriculum. We also encourage A Level students to take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to support their university applications, which IB students don’t need to do as their extended essay is part of the programme. |
| Is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme suitable for studying Medicine at university? |
| As one of the country’s leading schools for STEAM we can say with confidence that the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is excellent preparation for studying Medicine at university, both in the UK and internationally. |
| Does the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme only suit linguists? |
| No. IB Diploma students do have to study a different language as part of their programme but you can choose the language that suits you best and you will be fully supported by language specialists. You can study Spanish with no prior knowledge of the language. |
| Do A Level students have more free time? |
| No. A Level students have more independent study periods (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme students have more classroom teaching). But both programmes offer students the same opportunities for co-curricular activities. |
| Are A Levels better than the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for applying to UK universities? |
| This used to be the case but UK universities now fully recognise the value of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. In a sector survey, University Admissions Tutors confirmed that the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme provides excellent preparation for university and the world of work, with 97% saying it is the best preparation for university study. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is also more widely recognised internationally for students hoping to go to a university in another country. |
| Does IB make your UCAS application stand out? |
| It certainly can. 97% of university admissions tutors rate the IBDP as the best preparation for university study in the UK. IB students are three times more likely to go to a Top 20 UK university compared to matched A Level students. And IB students are 40% more likely to obtain a 1st or 2:1 honours degree. |
Where Next
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How To Apply
Want to join our vibrant learning community? Find out how to apply
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Open Days & Visits
Book a place on one of our school open days or taster days and discover what makes Leighton Park so special.
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Our Fees
Learn more about our school fees, which cover many of the things that other schools charge extra for.
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Scholarships & Bursaries
Find out about Leighton Park scholarships, and how our means-tested bursaries can offer financial support for your education.