The Abbey School Reading, Reading
The Abbey School Reading is an independent school for girls aged 3 to 19 in Reading. It has a Christian religious character. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in February 2026.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
The Abbey School Reading in detail
The Abbey School Reading in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "The Abbey is a remarkable all-girls community of learning and brilliant experiences. It is a place of curiosity, adventurous spirits, and the excitement of discovery. We focus on individual care and attention in a warmly supportive atmosphere, full of fun and laughter."
Coming up: an open day on Friday 29 January 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Reading
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for The Abbey School Reading can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to The Abbey School Reading are The Deenway Montessori School (0.3 miles, Good); Trinity Christian School (0.4 miles); Red Balloon Learner Centre Reading (0.4 miles); and St Joseph's College (0.6 miles, selective).
The Deenway Montessori SchoolTrinity Christian SchoolRed Balloon Learner Centre ReadingSt Joseph's College
Where pupils go next
Of the 97 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 79% went on to university or other higher education, 1% to apprenticeships and 7% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 140 pupils (17.3%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Reading Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.
14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Crown Place Passage (adjacent), 130 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 823 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.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
10 February 2026
Non-Routine Inspection
18 September 2023
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
7 February 2023
Regulatory Compliance
14 November 2018
Integrated
30 September 2014
Fees for 2026/27
Day fees, per year
£16,305 to £27,150
depending on year group
| Reception (age 4+ years) * | £16,305 a year |
| Lower Preparatory (Year 1) * | £18,870 a year |
| Upper Preparatory (Year 2) * | £20,265 a year |
| Lower I - Lower III (Years 3 to 6) * | £21,840 a year |
| Upper III - Lower IV (Years 7 to 8) * | £26,325 a year |
| Lower IV - Upper VI (Years 9 to 13) * | £27,150 a year |
Including VAT. From the school's own fee schedule; check with the school before you rely on it.
Private school fees in Reading - 4 schools' published fees side by side
At a Glance
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for The Abbey School Reading can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
GCSE Subjects Offered
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby all-through schools
Latest from The Abbey School Reading
From The Abbey School Reading's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with The Abbey School Reading
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near The Abbey School Reading.
- Super Camps at The Abbey SchoolAt the school · Not yet graded
- RCLC Teachitright Ltd490m away · Not yet graded
- FunTech at Reading550m away · Not yet graded
- Premier Education at New Christ Church C of E Primary School630m away · Not yet graded
- Super Strike Katesgrove Holiday Camp670m away · Not yet graded
- GetActive@RedlandsPrimary970m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 74
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 10
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 74 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 10 serious and 64 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 1 on a bicycle.
19 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Reading is 21 (the median across 71 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
71%
Available places
807 pupils
1,134 places
327 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Reading
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Reading
Across Reading council
Places available
1,744
Applications
1,794
Got 1st preference
73.1%
Got preferred school
95.4%
All secondary applications across Reading council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
140
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
17.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
807
Total Pupils
0
Boys
807
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
The Abbey School Reading
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about The Abbey School Reading
What are GCSE results like at The Abbey School Reading?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for The Abbey School Reading can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was The Abbey School Reading last inspected?
The Abbey School Reading is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in February 2026.
How many pupils go to The Abbey School Reading?
The Abbey School Reading has around 807 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to The Abbey School Reading?
The Abbey School Reading is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
Does The Abbey School Reading have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Super Camps at The Abbey School (registered, not yet graded). There are 5 more within a kilometre. The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near The Abbey School Reading?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 74 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 10 serious and 64 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 1 on a bicycle. 19 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Reading is 21 (the median across 71 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Abbey School Reading?
The Abbey School Reading is at 17 Kendrick Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5DZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)