Leighton Park School successfully defended their winning title for the fourth consecutive year in the Independent Schools Association (ISA) A Capella Competition 2024 on Wednesday 6th March. The winning performance of ‘Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine,’ composed by Eric Whitacre, captivated the audience with its powerful and passionate rendition. The group won the Senior Category, after submitting two groups into the competition at this level and a further one into the Middle Category.
Isi Ruland, Lower Sixth student, shared her excitement on the win: “It was such a great experience winning and knowing that all the hard effort we put in actually paid off. I am so grateful that I had the chance to perform with such great singers and be a part of a great piece of work”.
Leighton Park School proudly hosted seventeen schools from across the nation as for this year’s exhilarating ISA A Capella Competition on Wednesday 6th March. It is an honour to again host an invaluable musical event for children’s personal and educational development. Director of Music and Media, Rosemary Scales, shared the LP philosophy: “Music is for all, whether that is playing, singing or listening to it. It not only nourishes the soul; music provides countless opportunities to learn,
perform and grow; requiring persistence and giving a great sense of achievement.”
One performer in the winning group, Natalia Stevenson (Upper Sixth) commented: “I think that music has been absolutely crucial to my development as a student. Going into the music department at school is like stepping into another world, and I find that having this separate space helps me to focus more in my other lessons. The staff in the music department have been extremely welcoming and accommodating and are always willing to try something new or support something that students want to try. Having this supportive backbone is wonderful.”
The competition featured three distinct categories, tailored to different age groups: the Junior Category encompassing KS1-2 pupils, the Middle Category comprising KS3, and the Senior Category highlighting KS4-5. Judges Pascal Blaschta (actor and freestyle rapper) and Lisa Lynn (singer, actor and improviser)meticulously evaluated each performance, awarding scores out of sixty based on criteria including balance and blend, energy, rhythm, dynamics, and intonation.
Spectating the event was renowned actress Hannah Waddingham, most recently known for her role in ‘Ted Lasso’. Advocating for nurturing young voices, Hannah commented: “I had to be here because children should be encouraged to sing from their hearts from an early age. Sing like no-one is listening, dance like no one is watching! I couldn’t be prouder to be here with this organisation, getting children to stand up and have their voices heard. It’s absolutely brilliant; I love it”.
Leighton Park School takes immense pride in its status as a Flagship Yamaha Music Education Partner, the only School in Europe to hold this prestigious partnership. This partnership provides students with unparalleled access to instruments, industry-standard recording software, and expert guidance, with exclusive teaching materials and specialist staff. Additionally, as a Steinburg Certified Training Centre and a Sontronics Education Partner, students are supported with musical notation and music production, empowering them to explore their musical potential to the fullest. Not only this but as a Sontronics Education Partner, students have access to professional high-end microphones used by artists such as Adele and Ed Sheeran, with support and training alongside the use of this equipment.
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Editor’s Notes
Leighton Park has received several recent accolades, including winning Senior
School of the Year 2023-4 in the Independent Schools Association Awards 2023 and being a Finalist for Independent School of the Year in the TES Awards 2023. 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 excellent in all areas in January 2022 – the
highest possible attainment for an independent school.
The School was recognised as a national leader for Pupil Personal Development in 2022, winning the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Award for Excellence in this area. In the same, year the School gained the Wellbeing Award for Schools, accredited by the National Children’s Bureau.
Leighton Park School is a day and boarding school for 11-18 year olds in Reading, Berkshire. For more information please see www.leightonpark.com
For press enquiries: Please contact marketing@leightonpark.com
Images: Leighton Park School Senior Entry (top left)
Leighton Park School Middle Entry (top right)
Leighton Park School Senior Entry awarded First place (bottom left)
Leighton Park School with award (bottom right)