Kendrick School, Reading

In its own words: "Kendrick School is an 11-18 selective girls' school with academy status. Since 2003 Kendrick has enjoyed the benefits of being a specialist school in Science, Mathematics and Languages; this ethos of specialism is reflected across all subjects including English, the Arts and Humanities, Music and Drama, Computing and Technology. In February 2011 Kendrick became an Academy."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Ofsted report November 2022 "The Kendrick Pledge emphasises friendship, kindness, respect, equality, tolerance and justice, and these values underpin all that the school achieves. Pupils flourish in this exceptionally caring and inclusive learning environment. Secure, trusting relationships between staff and pupils ensure pupils feel very well supported and safe here."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include chess, Lego, STEM, photography, debating and journalism.

In 2026, pupils at Kendrick School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 82.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 51.5 in Reading and 47 across England.

99% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 55% in Reading and 47% in England.

That is down from 84 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 1.07: pupils made well above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 72.2, against 83.8 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

Kendrick School is a grammar school: places go to children who reach the required standard in its entrance test, and only then are the oversubscription criteria applied.

For September 2026 entry, 351 families put Kendrick School as their first choice and 467 named it as one of their preferences, for 127 places offered. That is 2.8 first choices for every place. 232 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

Kendrick School admits pupils through an entrance test, usually called the 11-plus. Children have to be registered for it in advance, normally in the spring or summer of Year 5; the test itself is usually sat in September of Year 6, and results come out in October, before the 31 October deadline for naming secondary schools.

Passing the test makes a child eligible rather than guaranteeing a place: when more children pass than there are places, Kendrick School ranks them by the criteria in its admissions policy, which can include test score and distance. Check Reading's admissions pages and the school's own policy for this year's registration deadline - a child who is not registered in time cannot sit the test.

Reading has 2 state grammar schools in all, so a child who passes may have several selective schools to choose between.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Kendrick School are Reading School (0.5 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 80.6); Reading Girls' School (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.2); Maiden Erlegh School in Reading (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.5); and UTC Reading (1.1 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 34.5).

Kendrick School's 2026 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Of the 97 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.

Of the 143 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 83% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 6% into work. 56% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

9.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 43 pupils (4.6%) received SEN support and 4 (0.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

Kendrick School had 74 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Reading Rail Station, about 910 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is UoR London Road (outside), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 842 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Reading (351), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Kendrick School issued 2 suspensions, 0.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Kendrick School are Katesgrove Primary School (0.4 miles), New Christ Church Church of England Primary School (0.5 miles), St John's Church of England Primary School (0.5 miles) and Coley Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.