Reading Girls' School, Reading

From the headteacher's welcome: "I would like to extend a warm welcome to Reading Girls' School (RGS). I am incredibly proud to be the Principal of this school, where our greatest asset is our students. They come from over 35 primary schools across Reading and beyond, and are supported by a dedicated and committed staff."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include STEM, debating and Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2026, pupils at Reading Girls' School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 52.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 51.5 in Reading and 47 across England.

58% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 55% in Reading and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 51.8.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.05: pupils made about 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 39.2, against 56.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 17.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Physics, Biology and Chemistry.

For September 2026 entry, 101 families put Reading Girls' School as their first choice and 281 named it as one of their preferences, for 154 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Reading Girls' School are Hartland High School (0.7 miles, Attainment 8 37.8); Reading School (0.9 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 80.6); Kendrick School (1.1 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 82.4); and UTC Reading (1.2 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 34.5).

Reading Girls' School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Reading Girls' School is one of 6 schools run by The Thames Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 137 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 33% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

42.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (47%), White British (16%) and Black (12%).

In 2026, 147 pupils (16.2%) received SEN support and 16 (1.8%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Reading Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Canterbury Road (opposite), 100 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Reading Girls' School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Reading Girls' School issued 129 suspensions, 14.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Reading Girls' School are The Palmer Primary Academy (0.3 miles), Whitley Park Primary and Nursery School (0.4 miles), New Christ Church Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles) and The Ridgeway Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.