The Leys School

Curriculum and Programmes

The Leys School curriculum includes A Levels, GCSEs, and Years 7–9 of the UK secondary programme.

In the A Level programme (Years 12 & 13), students choose four subjects according to their university goals. Around 100 students follow the A Level programme, with class sizes averaging 10–12 pupils depending on subject choice. Students usually select three subjects from English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and take an additional Modern Foreign Language (French, German, or Spanish).

In the GCSE programme (Years 10 & 11), all students study the core curriculum. English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are compulsory subjects. In addition, almost all students take at least one Modern Foreign Language (French, German, or Spanish) and choose three more subjects based on their interests.

Before GCSEs, Years 7–9 students are offered a wide range of subjects to help them build strong academic foundations. In Years 7 and 8, pupils study English, Mathematics, Science, introductory French, introductory Latin, introductory German, History, Geography, Art, Computing, Design Technology, Drama, Music, and Physical Education. In Year 9, all pupils take compulsory courses in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, and Geography, while choosing from Art, Computing, Drama, Design Technology, Music, and Physical Education. They also study two Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, or Spanish).

Co-curricular Programmes

The Leys School provides a wide variety of arts and sports activities to support students’ personal growth and help them develop into confident, capable individuals.

The school’s well-equipped arts facilities include the Rugg Centre, which houses art and ceramics studios, design technology workshops, and computer-assisted workshops. Students can take part in creative activities such as Ceramics, Sculpture, Printmaking, Woodturning, Milling, Photography, and Digital Video.

Alongside these, the school boasts a large theatre, comparable to West End standards, fully equipped with computerised lighting and sound systems managed by experienced theatre technicians. The Drama Club rehearses and performs in this theatre, while also going on regular visits to external venues. Students also have the opportunity to prepare for and take the prestigious LAMDA examinations in performance.

Another arts facility is the Music School, founded by world-renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. It features a Steinway & Sons grand piano and harpsichord, a recording studio, a rock rehearsal room, a music library, a music technology room, a percussion room, large rehearsal spaces, and individual practice rooms. Students at The Leys can take lessons in piano, organ, harpsichord, guitar, percussion, singing, and more. Ensembles such as the Chapel Choir, Chamber Choir, String Orchestra, Wind Band, String Quartet, and various instrumental chamber groups give pupils both performance and ensemble experience.

Sports are also highly valued at The Leys School, with opportunities in badminton, rugby, cricket, football, hockey, netball, rowing, fitness, swimming, tennis, trampolining, gymnastics, volleyball, and water polo. The school’s badminton, volleyball, and water polo teams even compete in the Cambridge University Colleges league.

The school also organises a wide range of trips both for leisure and to enrich academic experience. Students have travelled to destinations such as Canada, Spain, France, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

University Destinations

In 2019, 52% of The Leys School students achieved A*/A grades at A Level, placing the school among the UK’s top 100 boarding schools.

Recent years have seen growing academic success, with many graduates securing places at prestigious universities. There has been a notable increase in acceptances to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.

In 2019, four students from The Leys took up places at Oxford University, while nearly 50 others went on to Russell Group institutions, including Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), and the University of Warwick.