Our Guide to Berkshire
Education scene in Berkshire
It’s no surprise, perhaps, that the Royal County of Berkshire boasts a whopping 69 independent schools. In the top drawer are private school grandees like Eton College and Wellington College, but lower profile (and less expensive!) options, like Reading Blue Coat and The Abbey, have worked well for generations of Berkshire families. Roman Catholic youngsters are well-served too by St Mary’s Ascot and The Oratory, among others.
If private schools are outside your price range, not to worry. Berkshire boasts six state grammar schools. At the top of the heap are the super-selective Reading School (boys) and Kendrick Grammar (girls). Families in Reading and beyond will move heaven and earth to get their children into these academic powerhouses. More approachable, though less diverse, are the four Slough grammars: Upton Court, Langley, Herschel and St Bernard’s Catholic. There is even a Cookham-shaped back door into Buckinghamshire’s Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow for pioneering families on the county’s northern frontier.
If neither private nor selective schooling is your thing, Berkshire is also home to numerous high-achieving comprehensives, including the thriving Eton-sponsored state boarding school, Holyport College. You will also find some of the best state primaries in England.
Something to bear in mind, however, is that Berkshire has a whopping six local authorities (LA) – and some, like Reading and Slough (only comprising one town), can make applying to state schools frustratingly complicated. The most important point to remember is that you must apply for a school place using the application form for the local authority in which you live. So, for instance, if you live in Reading but are applying to a secondary school in West Berkshire, you should submit your form to the Reading LA. In this guide, we have focused on six Berkshire areas that attract young families and offer a good range of schools rather than strictly adhering to the six officially designated LAs.
Famous products of a (mostly) Berkshire education include both the Prince and Princess of Wales (Ludgrove and Eton College for William; St Andrews Pangbourne and Downe House for Kate), George Orwell (Wellington College and Eton), actor Nicholas Hoult (Ranelagh School, a high-achieving state school in Bracknell) and Ricky Gervais (Reading’s old Ashmead Comp, now known as the John Madejski Academy).
Living in Berkshire
A county of contrasts! For a decidedly diminutive county (only a handful are punier) Berkshire showcases the extremes of regal elegance and urban grit.
Within its varied landscape are countless pretty towns and villages, many with picturesque riverside settings. The River Kennet flows through Hungerford and Newbury to meet the Thames in Reading, with scenic spots like Streatley, Pangbourne, Caversham, Sonning and Cookham along the way. All contribute their special sparkle to the county known as the ‘Jewel of the Thames’.
London is in easy reach via train, with the Elizabeth Line extending out from Paddington to Reading. The M4 motorway runs through Berkshire directly to central London, passing Heathrow Airport on the way. And while terms like ‘M4 Corridor’ may not suggest a green and pleasant setting for families, Berkshire’s roads, rail links and airports really can make family life easier. It’s a perfect county if you want to dip into London culture without the hustle and bustle of city life.
One of the poshest of British counties, the Royal County of Berkshire is home to 900-year-old Windsor Castle, with its very own changing of the guard, and Royal Ascot. The Magna Carta was signed at Runnymede, Berkshire in 1215. For more down-to-earth charms, there’s Legoland, Newbury Racecourse and the simple pleasures of Bucklebury Farm Park.
Looking for the best schools in Berkshire? Our Education Consultants can help.
Every day, education consultants from The Good Schools Guide help parents find the best schools for their children. Our UK team is spread out across the country, each expert with their own specialist areas of knowledge. If you would like us to help you find a school place or are keen to know more about your family’s education options in Berkshire, we are ready to help. Read about our education consultancy services or get in touch by emailing consultants@goodschoolsguide.co.uk.
Your thoughts on education in Berkshire
Do you know the Berkshire education scene like the back of your hand? We depend on our network of parents and teachers to keep us informed and to guarantee that the information we publish stays fresh and useful. If you know something about schools in your neck of the woods which would help other families come to decisions – good or bad, do let us know at editor@goodschoolsguide.co.uk.