Waingels, Reading

In its own words: "At the heart of our success is our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive and rich learning environment where students feel valued and that they belong, founded on respectful relationships for all. Learning at Waingels takes place in a climate of mutual RESPECT where diversity and difference are celebrated."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Waingels. We are an inclusive school where everyone belongs, thrives and succeeds This simple statement sits at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming community where every young person is known, valued and supported to achieve their very best."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, basketball, badminton, dance, drama, choir, chess and STEM.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 3 November 2026, an open evening on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 6pm, an open evening on Friday 6 November 2026 and an open evening on Wednesday 11 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Waingels averaged an Attainment 8 score of 53.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 54.2 in Wokingham and 47 across England.

61% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 62% in Wokingham and 47% in England.

That is up from 50.8 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.21: pupils made 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 39.4, against 55 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 15.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Social Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 173 families put Waingels as their first choice and 455 named it as one of their preferences, for 235 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 Waingels are The Bulmershe School (1.4 miles, Attainment 8 50.6); The Piggott School (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 61); The Forest School (2.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.9); and Maiden Erlegh School (2.4 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 59.3).

Waingels's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Waingels is one of 10 schools run by Orchard Learning Alliance, an academy trust.

Of the 239 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 90% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 25% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 85 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 61% went on to university or other higher education, 8% to apprenticeships and 17% into work. 17% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

12.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Twyford Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Waingels stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 27 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wokingham (70).

In 2024/25, Waingels issued 273 suspensions, 19.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Waingels are Willow Bank Infant School (0.4 miles), Willow Bank Junior School (0.4 miles), Woodley CofE Primary School (0.7 miles) and Sonning Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.