Grammar and private secondary schools in and around Reading offer exceptional educational opportunities characterized by rigorous academic standards and selective admissions processes.
Schools like Reading School and Kendrick School maintain a tradition of academic excellence, providing challenging curricula and supportive environments to prepare students for successful futures. Wellington College and The Abbey School are notable private schools in the area, known for their outstanding educational experiences.
Wellington College adopts a holistic approach to education by combining academic rigour with a diverse range of extracurricular activities, while The Abbey School creates a nurturing environment that fosters academic and social growth through dedicated faculty and modern facilities.
Below, you can find an updated list of all the private and grammar schools in Reading. Click the links below for individual school/admissions information, as well as some free 11 Plus exam papers in a similar style to those the school uses for its admissions test for year 7.
All Private and Grammar Schools in Reading
Bradfield College
Address: Bradfield College, Bradfield, Berkshire, RG7 6AU, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1850.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational boarding and day school.
Age Range: 13–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: ISEB Common Pre-Test.
Notable Features: Bradfield College offers a well-rounded education with a strong focus on academic excellence, a diverse range of extracurricular activities, extensive sports facilities, and a supportive community, providing students with opportunities to thrive academically and personally.
Resources:
Bradfield College – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Downe House School
Address: Downe House School, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9JJ, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1907.
Type Of School: Independent, girls' boarding and day school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: CEM select and ISEB Common Entrance.
Notable Features: Downe House School offers a holistic education with a strong emphasis on academic achievement, a broad curriculum, extensive extracurricular opportunities, modern facilities, and a supportive community, empowering girls to develop their talents and reach their full potential.
Resources:
Downe House School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Holme Grange School
Address: Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3AL, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1945.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational day school.
Age Range: 3–16 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam in English and CEM Select.
Notable Features: Holme Grange School, established in 1945, offers a nurturing environment with a focus on academic excellence, holistic development, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, fostering a love for learning and personal growth in its students.
Resources:
Holme Grange School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Kendrick School
Address: Kendrick School, London Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5BN, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1877.
Type Of School: Selective, girls' grammar school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: GL Assessment, testing English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Kendrick School, founded in 1877, is renowned for its academic excellence, supportive community ethos, and commitment to empowering young women. With a rigorous curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and a focus on personal development, Kendrick School prepares students to excel academically and become confident and independent individuals.
Leighton Park School
Address: Leighton Park School, Shinfield Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7ED, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1890.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam, testing English, maths and creative writing.
Notable Features: Leighton Park School, established in 1890, prides itself on its Quaker values, offering a nurturing and inclusive environment where students are encouraged to think independently, engage with social issues, and embrace diversity. With a balanced curriculum, extensive extracurricular activities, and a strong sense of community, Leighton Park School fosters academic excellence, personal development, and a commitment to social responsibility in its students.
Resources:
Leighton Park School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Luckely House School
Address: Luckley House School, Luckley Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3EU, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1918.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam, testing English and CAT4.
Notable Features: Luckley House School, established in 1918, prides itself on its strong sense of community, academic excellence, and holistic approach to education. With a supportive and nurturing environment, a broad curriculum, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, Luckley House School aims to inspire students to achieve their full potential academically, personally, and socially.
Resources:
Luckely House School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Pangbourne College
Address: Pangbourne College, Pangbourne, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 8LA, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1917.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational boarding and day school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam, testing English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: Pangbourne College, established in 1917, offers a unique blend of academic excellence, outdoor education, and personal development. With a focus on leadership, teamwork, and character building, Pangbourne College provides students with opportunities to thrive academically, develop their interests, and become confident and responsible individuals prepared for the challenges of the future.
Resources:
Pangbourne College – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Queen Anne's School, Caversham
Address: Queen Anne's School, Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6DX, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1894.
Type Of School: Independent, girls' boarding and day school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School’s own exam, testing English and CEM Select (ISEB Common Entrance for scholarships).
Notable Features: Queen Anne's School, established in 1894, is renowned for its academic excellence, supportive community, and commitment to empowering young women. With a broad and balanced curriculum, extensive extracurricular activities, and a focus on personal development, Queen Anne's School fosters intellectual curiosity, creativity, and resilience in its students, preparing them to succeed academically and make a positive impact in the world.
Resources:
Queen Anne's School, Caversham – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Reading Blue Coat School
Address: Reading Blue Coat School, Holme Park, Sonning, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6SU, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1646.
Type Of School: Independent, boys' day and boarding school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam in English and maths and CEM select.
Notable Features: Reading Blue Coat School, with a heritage dating back to 1646, is recognized for its academic excellence, strong sense of community, and commitment to holistic education. With a rigorous curriculum, diverse extracurricular activities, and modern facilities, Reading Blue Coat School provides students with the skills, knowledge, and values to succeed academically, develop their interests, and become confident and compassionate individuals prepared for the challenges of the future.
Resources:
Reading Blue Coat School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Reading Girls’ School
Address: Reading Girls’ School, Northumberland Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7PY, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1904.
Type Of School: Secondary comprehensive girls' school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: CEM Select.
Notable Features: Reading Girls’ School, established in 1904, is dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for girls to excel academically and personally. With a focus on academic achievement, personal development, and fostering a strong sense of community, Reading Girls’ School empowers its students to achieve their full potential and become confident, resilient, and successful individuals.
Reading School
Address: Reading School, Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1125.
Type Of School: Independent, boys' grammar school.
Age Range: 11–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: Future Stories, testing English, maths and creative writing.
Notable Features: Reading School, with a history dating back to 1125, is renowned for its academic excellence and commitment to nurturing the talents of its students. With a rigorous curriculum, diverse extracurricular activities, and a focus on intellectual curiosity and personal development, Reading School prepares boys for success in their academic pursuits and beyond.
Resources:
Reddam House
Address: Reddam House, Bearwood Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5BG, United Kingdom.
Founded: Reddam House was founded in South Africa in 2000. The UK campus opened later.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 3–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam, testing verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning.
Notable Features: Reddam House provides a dynamic and progressive education, emphasizing academic excellence, creativity, and holistic development. With a global outlook, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant community, Reddam House prepares students to excel academically, embrace diversity, and become confident and compassionate individuals ready to contribute to the world.
Resources:
Reddam House – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
St Gabriel's School
Address: St Gabriel's School, Sandleford Priory, Newtown Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 9BD, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1929.
Type Of School: Independent, girls' day and boarding school.
Age Range: 3–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam, testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: St Gabriel's School, founded in 1929, is renowned for its commitment to providing a well-rounded education in a supportive and nurturing environment. With a focus on academic excellence, personal development, and a wide range of extracurricular activities, St Gabriel's School empowers girls to achieve their full potential and become confident, resilient, and compassionate individuals.
Resources:
St Gabriel's School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
St Joseph's College, Reading
Address: St Joseph's College, Upper Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5JT, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1890.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 3-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam, testing English, maths and verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: St Joseph's College, established in 1890, offers a nurturing environment where students thrive academically, spiritually, and personally, supported by a rich heritage, a broad curriculum, and a strong sense of community.
Resources:
St Joseph's College, Reading – 11 Plus Exam Papers
St Joseph's College, Reading – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
The Abbey School
Address: The Abbey School, Kendrick Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5DZ, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1887.
Type Of School: Independent, girls' day school.
Age Range: 3–18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: School's own exam, testing English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
Notable Features: The Abbey School, established in 1887, fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and a strong sense of community, providing girls with a supportive environment to flourish and realize their potential.
Resources:
The Abbey School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
The Oratory Preparatory School
Address: The Oratory Preparatory School, Goring Heath, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 7SF, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1859.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding preparatory school.
Age Range: 2–13 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: ISEB Common Entrance.
Notable Features: The Oratory Preparatory School, established in 1859, offers a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to flourish academically, spiritually, and personally, supported by a broad curriculum, extensive extracurricular activities, and a strong sense of community.
Resources:
The Oratory Preparatory School – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information
Wellington College
Address: Wellington College, Duke's Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 7PU, United Kingdom.
Founded: 1859.
Type Of School: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school.
Age Range: 13-18 years old.
Entrance Exam Type: ISEB Common Pre-Test.
Notable Features: Wellington College, founded in 1859, is renowned for its academic excellence, holistic education, and commitment to developing well-rounded individuals. With a broad curriculum, extensive extracurricular opportunities, and a supportive community, Wellington College prepares students to thrive academically, socially, and personally, instilling in them a sense of responsibility and leadership.
Resources:
Wellington College – 11 Plus Entrance Exam Information