Leighton Park Students Celebrate GCSE Success

Nervous excitement buzzed around Leighton Park this morning as our Year 11s arrived to find out their GCSE results. Many found themselves awake unaccustomedly early but quickly shook off their summer-time routines at the sight of delighted teachers and friends.

The students had a lot to celebrate with their 55% 9-7 grades outstripping the Teacher Assessed Grades last year by over 5% – against a national drop of nearly 9% from 28.9% last year to 26.3% this year.

Esther Bodkin, with eight 9s, an 8 and an A* reflected: “I’m very happy. I had a little happy cry this morning and am so pleased. I’m interested in going to Oxbridge and this is a good first step.” Esther’s mum, Justina, commented: “She’s worked really hard and we feel really proud of her. The school was really organized through the pandemic and teachers went out of their way with extra support in the lead up to the exams. I’m really pleased they were able to do live exams as these are such important skills.”

The school’s strengths in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) and Music have once again been reflected in the results. Student averages for 9-7 grades were as follows: Computer Science 89%, Physics 88%, Chemistry 74%, Biology 65%, Maths 60%, while 95% of Music grades were 9-7. Leighton Park is an International Baccalaureate World School and languages also did well with 100% of Mandarin grades at 9-7 and 66% for German.

Another proud mum, Julia, whose daughter Millie Charlesworth achieved all 9-7 grades, said: “It’s been brilliant. I’ve been absolutely delighted. Millie loves it here. She has remained very calm through all her GCSE’s and worked really hard. She has had amazing support.”

Head of Years 10, 11 & Pre-Sixth, Sally Saunders, understands the challenges that this year group have faced with the disruption to their two-year course caused by the pandemic. “I’m so proud of our students. They have developed incredible skills and shown such tenacity to improve on last year’s results under such difficult circumstances. The exam boards, teachers, examination officers and so many others have worked really hard to bring back live exams – which I think is really important. The skills our students have developed in the last year will set them up for success in the future.”

Our first cohort of film makers taking the BTEC Creative Media Production were pleased with their strong results. Jack Mancey, who achieved a distinction, enthused: “I enjoyed the freedom and creativity of the course. It felt like I was gaining real life skills. I’m planning to take the Level 3 Digital Film and Video Production course in the Sixth Form.”

Laurel Taylor, who also gained all 9-7 grades, commented: “I’m really pleased with the results and did well in all the ones I’m taking in Sixth Form. I couldn’t sleep last night but I think the overall emotion right now is relief and happiness.”

Matthew LS Judd, Head of Leighton Park commented: “These students should be very pleased with their achievements. The absence of live external assessments over the last two years, disrupted learning due to national lockdowns and all the uncertainty that the pandemic brought has tested their metal. I pay tribute to their tremendous grit, character and resolve. They can now look forward to entering the Sixth Form with confidence. I would like to thank the whole team at Leighton Park for their remarkable dedication. They are true professionals, going above and beyond to support each individual. A Leighton Park education is about much more than exam results but it is heartening to see their work validated in this way.”

Leighton Park has received several accolades in the last two years. The most recent UK Government analysis shows that the school’s Sixth Form leavers achieve the best academic progress in Berkshire, while the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded it Double Excellent in January 2022 – the highest possible attainment for an independent school. The School was awarded Best Co-ed School 2021, South East England in the Education and Training Awards, while also picking up the national Independent Schools Association (ISA) Award for Outstanding Local Community Involvement for the second year running. In 2020, the school won the national Award for Excellence in STEAM Education – reflecting the school’s strong reputation for teaching creative problem-solving – combining the analytical skills from Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), with creativity from the Arts.

If you are considering Leighton Park as a secondary school option, find out more at our Annual Open Morning on Saturday 24^th September. Book online at https://www.leightonpark.com/visit-leighton-park/ or contact Admissions via admissions@leightonpark.com or 0118 987 9608.