Reading School
103%
Capacity
1,129
Pupils
3.1x
Demand
About Reading School
Reading School is a boys' grammar school in Reading that is heavily oversubscribed, with 448 applications for 146 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.07. Of those applications, 360 were first-preference choices, and 142 first-preference offers were made, indicating strong parental demand. The school does not have a published parent-view recommendation score, but the sheer volume of applications suggests a high level of confidence among local families. It is a state boarding school with a sixth form, and its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated it Outstanding across all five categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. This is consistent with its previous inspection in 2010, which also judged the school Outstanding overall.
Academically, Reading School is a high performer. Its Progress 8 score of 0.89 is well above the national average and far exceeds the Reading local authority average of 0.12. The school ranks second out of nine secondary schools in the LA, and 15th out of 461 schools in the South East region. Attainment 8 stands at 81.1, and 100% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is 96%, with 93.3% of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above. At A-level, the average points per entry is 49.14, equivalent to a grade A, and 70.6% of entries were graded AAB or higher. The sixth-form value-added score of 0.26 is rated as above average, and the best three A-levels average grade is also an A.
The school offers a wide range of facilities, including music rooms, art studios, a swimming pool, tennis courts, playing fields, an ICT suite, and a dedicated sixth-form centre. Sports on offer include basketball, rugby, rowing, football, tennis, and martial arts, while extracurricular clubs cover drama, debate, Model UN, Young Enterprise, and a school newspaper. The school has a single SEND provision listed as 'Other Difficulty/Disability'. With 4.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is less diverse in terms of disadvantage than many state schools. Reading School is a selective boys' grammar with boarding, so it will suit academically able boys who thrive in a high-pressure, high-attainment environment and whose families are prepared for a competitive admissions process.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Boys |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Erleigh Road, Reading, Reading, RG1 5LW |
| Headteacher | Chris Evans |
| Local Authority | Reading |
| Number of Pupils | 1,129 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 4.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,129 / 1,094 (103% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
| Boarding | Yes — Boarding school |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Nov 2023Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 31 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.89)
126th of 3,141
Nationally
15th of 461
In South East
2nd of 9
In Reading
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
51.9
'22/23
49.6
'23/24
49.1
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where school leavers go
2022/2384%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 182 pupils).
- University (HE)84%
- Employment8%
- Not sustained3%
- Apprenticeship1%
Source: DfE 16-18 destination measures, Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion. Russell Group / top-third HE breakdown not shown.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed146
448
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
360 families put this school as their 1st choice (80% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- Asian65.1%
- White British15.3%
- Mixed9.5%
- White (other)4.3%
- Black0.2%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
12
Total schools
11
Oversubscribed
7
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reading School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Erleigh Road, Reading
Reading, RG1 5LW
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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