Meet the Head

with joy to see them realise their talents and create stunning performances.

How is Leighton Park responding to the environmental crisis?

Sustainability is one of our values, so we have some exciting initiatives. You can get a glimpse of some of the activity from this documentary that our students made following their trip to COP26 in Glasgow: https://youtu.be/Qt0iLGmVgtI

Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) programme. Our aim is to give our students the skills to be future changemakers, so our academic focus is on critical thinking, creative problemsolving and project-based learning.

The school has attractive buildings and beautiful green spaces; do you have a favourite place at Leighton Park?

The School grounds are a wonderful haven of beauty and tranquillity. Perhaps you will permit me two favourites? We have a stunning Victorian building designed by Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed the Natural History Museum in London. We are currently redeveloping this grand old building to become our new Sixth Form Study Centre and School Library. It will be filled with inspiring learning spaces and the latest learning technology, combined with the elegant proportions and architectural features of a period property.

Our Music and Media Centre is also fabulous, only opening its doors in 2019. Over half of our students study a musical instrument with one of our 25 instrumentalist teachers, and it fills me

We’re very fortunate to have the University of Reading across the road from us, one of the leading centres of climate change research in the UK. We are working with them on significant advocacy and education programmes, including joining their Climate Change Conference in March. Our Year 7s attended a Climate Summit at Green Park, with the Rt Hon Sir Alok Sharma on 17th March and won first place for their ideas around flexitarian diets.

Is there a famous person you would particularly like to meet?

I’ve always wanted to meet Alan Bennett for the singular reason that in The History Boys play he wrote the words for his fictional headmaster; ‘We’re low in the league. I want to see us up there with Manchester Grammar, Haberdashers’ Aske’s, Leighton Park…or is that an open prison!’ In one line he cited two schools I have led, and another in which I long ago declined a job. ‘Alan, how did you know?!’.

Do you have a favourite sport to watch or play?

Anything with LP pupils – I particularly enjoy seeing the newly developing coeducational sport on offer in schools.

What changes are expected at the school over the next five years?

We will continue to nurture students of real character and confidence, with a determined desire to change the world. Our new Sixth Form Study Centre and School Library will open in 2024, after which we will turn our attention to building a new sports centre. We have been given the go ahead for modest growth to our school roll, so that more students can benefit from a Leighton Park education.

An important focus for us is our partnerships programme, and we will continue to strengthen ties that enrich our vibrant learning environment, provide our students with exceptional opportunities and help us to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.

For more information, visit www. leightonpark.com, call 0118 987 9608 or e-mail admissions@leightonpark.com