Reading School

Selective

National rank

12

8

Rank last year

90%

A-level

A-level

A*-B

85.7%

GCSE

GCSE

A*/A/9/8/7

State Secondary School of the Year 2025 in the Southeast for Academic Performance 2025

Need to know

Head teacher

Chris Evans

Gender of entry

Boys

Total pupils

1,138

Head teacher

Chris Evans

Gender of entry

Boys

Total pupils

1,138

Head teacher

Chris Evans

Gender of entry

Boys

Total pupils

1,138

Progress 8

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE

Pupils on free school meals

3.8%

Progress 8

WELL ABOVE AVERAGE

Pupils on free school meals

3.8%

Our methodology
Results

A-level 2024 rank: 11=

Grade

%

A*

33.1

A

39.2

B

17.8

A*/A

72.2

A*-B

90

GCSE 2024 rank: 18=

Grade

%

A*/9/8

66

A/7

19.6

A*/A/9/8/7

85.7

What the school inspection says

Date of report
2023
Verdict *
Outstanding
”This school inspires pupils to be the best versions of themselves. Impressively high aspirations for academic excellence are matched by those for pupils’ holistic development. Pupils rise consistently to meet and exceed these expectations, achieving very well academically by the time they leave the school. Those who join the school in the sixth form do equally well. Just as importantly, pupils develop into kind and thoughtful young people who are keen to make their mark on the world. The school’s work focuses clearly on developing people of character. The Floreat programme gives pupils deliberately planned opportunities to learn deeply about relationships, resilience and leadership ... Highly effective leadership has ensured that standards have been sustained and improved, both in the school and boarding provision, since the school was last inspected ... Pupils experience a carefully crafted and innovative curriculum, reflecting high aspirations for their academic and personal development. Right from the start, pupils study a range of subjects that extends way beyond national curriculum and English Baccalaureate subjects. This gives pupils a broad and deep foundation on which to build subsequent learning and develop wider skills and talents.”
Read the full report
Read report
*From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgment in inspections of state-funded schools. A consultation on the new report cards will take place in 2025.

About the school

  • The school dates back to at least 1125, when it was officially founded as part of Reading Abbey.
  • Chris Evans, the headmaster, reminds pupils that they are “a gift to the world”, and urges them not to define themselves by academic success or disappointment.
  • There are just 150 pupils in each year group, with 80 boarders and 360 students in the sixth form.
  • The school’s refurbished boathouse on the River Thames is part of the Reading School Community Rowing Programme — spearheaded by the former Olympic rower James Stephenson, it aims to foster inclusivity and community engagement through the sport.
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