Ages 
Arty, sporty, gently academic school with an oddly subdued public image. Tradition meets futuristic in its embrace of digital education and the very wide range of subjects and activities on offer. Outstanding music. ‘We need to get better at conveying how much is happening here,’ says the head. ‘If anything, there’s almost too much going on!’
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 361 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 127 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £27,360 - £32,199; Boarding £52,131 - £53,829 pa
- Local authority
- Reading Borough Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Elaine Purves
Since 2022, Elaine Purves. Read English and German at Hull before completing a PGCE at Durham. Began her teaching career at Oakham School, then on to the Royal High School, Bath, where she was deputy head. Amazingly, Queen Anne’s is her fourth
Entrance
The 11+ assessment day in October prior to year of entry includes a written English paper, online maths and reasoning papers, plus a bit of fun so girls can get to know the school. For 13+ entry girls sit old-school CE papers in maths, English and
- Open days
- Open mornings September, March, May
Exit
Just under a quarter head off after GCSEs in search of co-ed sixth forms or to local colleges. Those who stay move on to an unusually wide range of good UK universities (mostly Russell Group) to read just about everything under the sun, eg politics,
Latest results
In 2025, 69 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 47 per cent A*/A at A level.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Unlike many independent schools we visit that take a perverse pride in offering a rickety list of near-Dickensian academic subjects, QA has embraced the future. A level options now include animation, criminology, dance, environmental science, film
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Although 69 girls, around 15 per cent of pupils, have some form of SEN, none of them has a statement. One-to-one support with specialist teachers is available at extra charge. Maddock and Holmes boarding houses have lift access, and room allocations
Arts & extracurricular
The arts here all shine, but music is positively luminous. ‘The music department is amazing,’ gushed our guides who also wanted us to mention that ‘a boy from Reading School took his A level music here!’ Over 50 per cent of girls learn at least one
Sport
In the many-threaded tapestry of Reading independent education, Queen Anne’s is known as the ‘sporty’ school, both regarding its facilities and its talent on the games pitch. Super sports facilities include a 25-metre pool, fitness suite,
Boarders
Full and flexi boarding has a cherished place in pupils’ warm memories of the school. Some old girls told us the boarding houses have been cavalierly sliced and diced in recent years, but we think the newest sculpting may have settled on an optimal
Ethos & heritage
Established on its current site in 1894, Queen Anne’s is part of the United Westminster Greycoat Foundation founded in 1689 by eight merchants in Westminster. Girls still attend a biennial service at Westminster Abbey bedecked in the school’s famous
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Girls now grouped, Sorting-Hat-style, into one of five new ‘charters’ (similar to houses) named after female historical figures – these are a direct spin-off of the pupil bubbles created during Covid. Wellbeing programme has replaced PSHCE and is
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review We have a graduated approach to mobile phones in the school, which ranges from the younger students handing their phones in each morning and collecting them before they leave in the evening, through to the U5th and sixth form students who are expected to be more responsible for their own behaviour whilst using their phones. In the boarding community, technology is collected in overnight, up to and including the 5th form boarders, to help aid them with their rest and sleep.
Pupils & parents
Girls join at 11 (and 13) from a large number of local-ish prep schools and state primaries; boarders from 23 different countries including Forces and expats; some weekly boarders from London (weekly coach service to and from). Transport network
Money matters
Boarding fees in line with local competitors. Day fees not too painful considering extended school day and access to some boarding perks. One of a shrinking number of schools where scholarships are more than mere honorifics: the top academic
- Fee information
- Day £27,360 - £32,199; Boarding £52,131 - £53,829 pa
The last word
Arty, sporty, gently academic school with an oddly subdued public image. Tradition meets futuristic in its embrace of digital education and the very wide range of subjects and activities on offer. Outstanding music. ‘We need to get better at
