The hardest schools to get into in West Berkshire
Secondary: 249 families put The Downs School first in 2026 and 196 of them (79%) were offered a place.
Reception: 50 families put Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery first in 2026 and 26 of them (52%) were offered a place.
Every state school in West Berkshire 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 | The Downs School · Newbury | 249 | 196 (79%) | 204 |
| 2 | Denefield School · Reading | 217 | 187 (86%) | 203 |
| 3 | The Willink School · Reading | 214 | 196 (92%) | 201 |
| 4 | St Bartholomew's School · Newbury | 275 | 260 (95%) | 265 |
| 5 | Little Heath School · Reading | 219 | 217 (99%) | 260 |
| 6 | Kennet School · Thatcham | 276 | 276 (100%) | 287 |
| 7 | Trinity School · Newbury | 202 | 202 (100%) | 209 |
| 8 | Park House School · Newbury | 154 | 154 (100%) | 161 |
| 9 | Theale Green School · Reading | 101 | 101 (100%) | 124 |
| 10 | John O'Gaunt School · Hungerford | 60 | 60 (100%) | 65 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in West Berkshire
What is the hardest school to get into in West Berkshire?
For secondary places, 249 families put The Downs School first in 2026 and 196 of them (79%) were offered a place. For Reception, 50 families put Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery first and 26 of them (52%) were offered a place.
How many families in West Berkshire get their first-choice school?
94.9% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 90.8% 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 West Berkshire published it in its admissions booklet.