Old Leightonians

It was a pleasure to welcome back OLs and former staff to our '6s' Reunion on Saturday - even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits on such a wonderful occasion!

This is not the dress code for the 6s Reunion on 6 June - just a reminder to those wishing to attend that there are only three days left to book a place.
The photo was taken at the 1907 Reunion and it's so good to think that we have just as many women as men at our reunions these days!

Calling all '6's! (OLs with a 'Class of' ending in 6). Here are 6 reasons that you should book a place at the OL '6's Reunion on Saturday 6th June:

1) A chance to catch up with friends from your era
2) Reminisce with a tour of the beautiful School grounds
3) Recapture the unique LP atmosphere
4) Take a trip down memory lane with photos from the Archives
5) Meet current students and staff, and discover LP 2026
6) And last but far from least - enjoy a splendid lunch in our Oakview restaurant!

Former staff and governors are also invited, making it an even more special occasion to reconnect with the people who have shaped our School community over the years.

Booking essential by 20th May. Please email [email protected] to book your places - partners and children welcome.

We were delighted to welcome back OL Kemi Spence (class of 2025), as part of her apprenticeship with the BBC, to interview Head of Football, Callum Beasley, and students about girls' football at LP.

We've no doubt that Kemi has a bright future ahead of her in the world of journalism!

Congratulations to OL author Laura Baggaley (class of 1995) , who's been awarded the gold medal for 'Best Book for Teenagers' in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for her novel 'Dirt', published by Habitat Press!

'Dirt' is a dystopian eco-romance for young adults:

"Food is scarce in Newbeck. Rations are meagre. Everyone grows what they can on government-allotted Squares of land, using seeds and soil bought from mysterious mega-business, the Green Cultivation Corporation.

"One hot day, a strange girl rides into town wearing a sunhat as big as a bicycle wheel. She arrives alone, on a desert track from nowhere, full of questions no-one’s ever asked before.

"Local boy Sam is fascinated by her. Why won’t she talk about her family and where she lives? Why is she so curious about his way of life? And why can’t he get her out of his head.

More information on 'Dirt', and Laura's other books, can be found at Laura's website: www.laurabaggaley.co.uk

What a joy to have the sun shining on Saturday as over 50 OL guests – former staff, students and governors – gathered in Peckover for our ‘Vintage’ Afternoon. Highlights of the day were the sumptuous afternoon tea, the guided tours of the School, the Archives display and a speech from our recently appointed Head, Luke Walters. Friendship and nostalgia were the order of the day and we hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as we did!

We were delighted to welcome back OL Kimia Gilani (Class of 2025) to join our International Women's Day and National Careers Week programmes at the beginning of March. Kimia was back from King's College London to share her experiences of life beyond the Park. With a Collect to the whole School and an interactive workshop for members of the lunchtime club 'The Female Lead'. Kimia offered inspiration and advice on what really matters: confidence, teamwork and the determination to be yourself, in whatever direction that might take you. Thank you, Kimia!

The meteoric rise of OL Jordan Luke Gage (Reckitt 2010) in the musical theatre world continues!
Following eight sold out workshop performances at The Other Palace in 2024, new musical Redcliffe, written and performed by Jordan, will run for a limited time, fully staged, at Southwark Playhouse Borough from May 2026.

For more information and to book, see here: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/redcliffe/

Photos of the opening night of this brilliant production can now be viewed here https://tinyurl.com/ITWLPpics
There are a limited number of tickets still available for performances tonight and tomorrow, book here https://bit.ly/IntotheWoodsLP

Unreported Brussels Summit Meeting of the Year: Matthew Judd and his husband Ian were very pleasantly surprised to find that Javier Hortal OL was staying at the same hotel as them! A bonus treat for their exeat weekend.