Classpot

Reading School

Reading, RG1 5LWSecondaryAges 11–18BoysState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Nov 2023
Progress 8
+0.89
Well above average
−20+2
Competition
2.5×
Oversubscribed
360 1st-choice / 146 places
Ranking
🏆Top 5%
#126 of 3,141 nationally

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.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderBoys
Religious CharacterNone
AddressErleigh Road, Reading, Reading, RG1 5LW
HeadteacherChris Evans
Local AuthorityReading
Number of Pupils1,129
Free School Meals (FSM)4.5%
School Capacity1,129 / 1,094 (103% full)
Sixth FormYes
BoardingYes — Boarding school

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

21 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 31 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Music RoomsDining HallTennis CourtsSwimming PoolICT SuitePlaying FieldsSixth Form CentreArt Studios

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

BasketballNetballTennisDanceMartial ArtsFootballRugbyRowing

Clubs & Activities

DramaScience ClubBook ClubYoung EnterpriseDebateNewspaperModel United Nations

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

Other

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Reading School

Reading School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.