The hardest schools to get into in Reading
Secondary: 351 families put Kendrick School first in 2026 and 119 of them (34%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus.
Reception: 37 families put All Saints Church of England Aided Infant School first in 2026 and 18 of them (49%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Reading with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kendrick School · Reading · grammar (11-plus) | 351 | 119 (34%) | 127 |
| 2 | Reading School · Reading · grammar (11-plus) | 400 | 141 (35%) | 146 |
| 3 | River Academy · Reading | 211 | 136 (65%) | 162 |
| 4 | Maiden Erlegh School in Reading · Reading | 131 | 109 (83%) | 169 |
| 5 | Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre · Reading | 191 | 183 (96%) | 243 |
| 6 | Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School · Reading · faith | 132 | 132 (100%) | 174 |
| 7 | King's Academy Prospect · Reading | 104 | 104 (100%) | 145 |
| 8 | Reading Girls' School · Reading | 101 | 101 (100%) | 154 |
| 9 | The WREN School · Reading | 70 | 70 (100%) | 117 |
| 10 | Hartland High School · Reading | 46 | 46 (100%) | 86 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Reading
What is the hardest school to get into in Reading?
For secondary places, 351 families put Kendrick School first in 2026 and 119 of them (34%) were offered a place - places depend on the 11-plus. For Reception, 37 families put All Saints Church of England Aided Infant School first and 18 of them (49%) were offered a place.
Kendrick SchoolAll Saints Church of England Aided Infant School
How many families in Reading get their first-choice school?
73.1% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 91.1% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Reading published it in its admissions booklet.