Ages 
Muscular grammar school firing on all cylinders and providing a traditional, first-class, no-frills education. Families in Reading and beyond will move heaven and earth to get their sons into this academic powerhouse.
Why read our school review?
Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
Unlock to access
Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,130 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 377 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day free; Boarding £15,066 pa
- Local authority
- Reading Borough Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Dr Chris Evans
Since January 2024, Rev Dr Chris Evans BA MTh PhD. How much space have we got? He was previously deputy head (since 2016), head of sixth form, chaplain, head of theology and philosophy (still teaches A level philosophy), boarding housemaster … and a
Entrance
Forget online testing, the Reading School assessment is now back to basics, taken on paper with a black biro. It does not test beyond KS2 English and maths, can only be sat at Reading School and now contains a weird and wonderful creative writing
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- November (sixth form open afternoon); March (year 7 open days)
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around 10 per cent of boys leave after GCSEs (slightly more in 2024), usually to colleges nearer home. Impressive list of university destinations every year. Eighteen to Oxbridge in 2024, 22 to medicine/ veterinary medicine/ dentistry, and one
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 89 per cent 9-7 at GCSE, 72 per cent A*/A (89 per cent A*/B)
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A levels or equivalent - 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
While getting in may be fraught, the atmosphere eases once everyone is settled. Maths forms are set from year 8, ‘but no one cares what set you’re in – even boys in set five will get As,’ said a mum pragmatically. ‘Teachers are wonderful, and they
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
School tells us that pupils include boys ‘with total visual impairment and significant hearing impairment, as well as students with ASD and dyslexia. We consider ourselves highly inclusive and are ready to adapt the curriculum for any special
Arts & extracurricular
Every student in year 7 learns a music instrument free of cost as part of the curriculum. Loads have lessons at home too. House rivalry is alive and well at the annual house music competition at Reading’s largest performing arts venue, the Hexagon,
Sport
We chose Reading School for its sports rather than exam results, said no parent in the last 50 years. You will not find the acres of green fields, rows of pristine tennis courts or cushy sports halls that are the hallmark of the independent sector.
Boarders
School admits only 12 boarders per year (for a total of 88) but boarding gives the school its secret sauce, its mystique, its je ne sais quoi. ‘Boarders make a huge difference here,’ says the head. ‘They are overrepresented among prefects, in sports
Ethos & heritage
Founded as part of Reading Abbey in 1125, hundreds of years before cheeky upstarts like Eton and Winchester. Said to be the 10th oldest in England (give or take ) and the 20th oldest in the world. Moved to current site in 1870 and now consists of an
Therapy & staffing
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Little time for vice or bullying here. ‘You don’t see it,’ sixth formers told us. A bit of rough and tumble in year 7, they recalled wistfully, and an occasional suspension, ‘but it’s rare’. Some parents stressed that their favourite thing about the
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 The school has an eSafety policy which references pupils’ use of mobile devices in school.
Pupils & parents
Parents are touchingly appreciative of the school and the opportunities their sons had been given. ‘We are so, so thrilled,’ said one. ‘We would recommend it to anyone,’ said another. ‘The level of growth, maturity and eloquence we have seen makes us
Money matters
Education free of charge. Annual boarding cost is less than a term’s fees at an independent boarding school.
Much admired former head, Ashley Robson, has been moved upstairs to a new CEO role focused on growing the school’s commercial activities,
- Fee information
- Day free; Boarding £15,066 pa
The last word
Muscular grammar school firing on all cylinders and providing a traditional, first-class, no-frills education. Families in Reading and beyond will move heaven and earth to get their sons into this academic powerhouse.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
