An excellent set of results at Reading’s International Baccalaureate World School

Leighton Park’s International Baccalaureate Class of 2026 are celebrating an excellent set of results! After two years of academic development and dedicated effort our students can celebrate their success in this globally renowned qualification – considered the “Gold Standard” in education.

The average points score for 2026 was 35, significantly above the global average of 30.88. This year Leighton Park’s small cohort IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) was named within the top 10 in the UK and in the top 25 in the world. Our average grade across all subjects was a strong 5.54. Numerous subjects also achieved outstanding results with 100% of students gaining a grade 6 or higher in French, Spanish, English B, Higher Level Psychology and Visual Art.

Joaquin who achieved a score of 42 commented: “The IB has been very helpful as a whole course, in terms of learning and developing for university or for anything after Sixth Form.”

Joaquin’s dad, Lawrence, expanded: ”I think what’s great about the IB is that it allows a broader skillset, a really holistic education, so that you may be more adaptable as you go through your career and can potentially pivot and go in different directions. We’re delighted that we sent him here for the IB Diploma. He’s really thrived and we don’t regret it for a second.”

Kees Luteijn, Assistant Head – Director of IBDP and Curriculum Design commented: “I am incredibly proud of this year’s IB cohort for the dedication, resilience and hard work they have shown throughout the two years. There are many strengths in these results beyond the headlines that are deserving of celebration. I am particularly pleased that 22% of our students achieved 40 points or more, a fantastic achievement reflecting real academic excellence. As a school we could not be prouder of them and wish them every success in their next chapter””

Beyond the headline numbers, these students have embodied the IB learner profile, as inquirers, thinkers, communicators and reflective, principled young people. The skills, resilience and global outlook that they have honed throughout the Diploma Programme will serve them brilliantly as they move on to further study at universities both in the UK and abroad.

Iuliana, who scored 40 points reflected: “I am very pleasantly surprised with my results! Everything I’ve done and worked for has paid off and I couldn’t be happier. I’m also very excited to share these results with my teachers that have helped me so much these past two years! The IB has been one of the most challenging things I’ve done, but also very rewarding in the end.”

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is an internationally recognised Sixth Form qualification providing participants with access to a broader range of subjects than A Levels whilst maintaining academic rigour and taking a more holistic approach that aims to give students the skills to flourish after school and contribute to a better world.

Luke Walters, Head of Leighton Park, commented: “The IB Diploma Programme is a brilliant holistic course for ambitious students aiming for top universities in the UK and internationally. It combines real academic rigour with critical thinking and project-based learning – meaning IB students are three times more likely to go to a top 20 UK University. We are Reading’s only IB World School and we’re delighted to have seen a significant increase in students opting for this ‘Gold Standard’ academic programme, following recent investment in strong leadership, an exceptional Sixth Form Study Centre and five IB Scholarships each year.”

IBDP Students choose six subjects, three at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, and are guaranteed breadth in their education through options across Literature, Language, Humanities, Sciences, Maths and the Arts. The maximum grade for each subject is a 7 with the additional 3 points to make up the total score out of 45 coming from the core programmes. These include Theory of Knowledge (ToK) which explores how we know what we know; Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) which is designed to promote wellbeing and build resilience through sport, art, drama, music and community service whilst giving recognition to students’ co-curricular activities; and the Extended Essay which enables students to explore their passions and produce a 4,000-word research project.

97% of University Admissions Tutors agree that the IB Diploma is the best possible preparation for a degree. The most competitive courses and many Russell Group Institutions will require 38 points from IB candidates, equivalent to A*A*A at A Level, or 37 points, equivalent to AAA, slightly lower than they would offer A Level candidates in recognition of the exceptional organisational, time management and project management skills developed and the academic rigour offered by the IB Diploma.

Editor’s Notes

Leighton Park has received several recent accolades, including winning the national award for Future Readiness 2024-5 and Senior School of the Year in the Independent Schools Association Awards 2023-24. The most recent UK Government analysis shows that the school’s Sixth Form leavers achieved the best academic progress in Berkshire, while the Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded it excellent in all areas and a Significant Strength for its values in 2025 – the highest possible attainment for an independent school.

Images:
1: Some of the IB Diploma Progamme Class of 2026
2: Some of the IB Diploma Programme Class of 2026 with Grove Sixth Form Study Centre in the background

Further information

https://www.leightonpark.com/ib-diploma/

Contact:

John Burnett – marketing@leightonpark.com or 0118 987 9609