UTC Reading
About UTC Reading
UTC Reading is a state-funded secondary school for pupils aged 14 to 19, and it currently operates well below its capacity. With 286 pupils on roll against a total capacity of 600, the school has significant room to grow. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 20.5%, which is notably higher than the national average for secondary schools. Despite this, demand signals from admissions data are not available in the public record, so it is unclear whether the school is oversubscribed or actively recruiting. The school is mixed-gender and non-denominational, with no religious character. It serves the Reading borough in the South East region and is led by headteacher Jennie Thomson. The most recent Ofsted inspection, conducted in February 2025, awarded a Good rating across all areas including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. This marks a significant turnaround from the previous inspection in February 2023, when the school was rated Inadequate overall.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 10 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Feb 2025From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 5 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:40 – 16:00
Source: utcreading.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About UTC Reading
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications