Best secondary schools in Reading (2026)
Reading has 10 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Kendrick School, in the top 1% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 54.3, against 46.1 for England. 3 are in England's top 10%, and 3 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 2 grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 1% in England |
Kendrick School Reading · Grammar · Girls |
84.2 | 84.0 | 100% | Outstanding | |
2 Top 1% in England |
Reading School Reading · Grammar · Boys |
82.1 | 83.0 | 100% | Outstanding | |
3 Top 9% in England |
Maiden Erlegh School Reading |
58.6 | 55.5 | 64% | Outstanding | |
4 Top 27% in England |
Reading Girls' School Reading · Girls |
50.5 | 51.8 | 54% | Good | |
5 Top 31% in England |
Denefield School Reading |
49.5 | 47.0 | 50% | Good | |
6 Top 45% in England |
Little Heath School Reading |
47.0 | 48.2 | 47% | No rating | |
7 Top 46% in England |
Maiden Erlegh School in Reading Reading |
46.7 | 45.6 | 47% | No rating | |
8 Bottom 47% in England |
Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School Reading · Roman Catholic |
45.8 | 46.0 | 39% | No rating | |
9 Bottom 30% in England |
The WREN School Reading |
42.2 | 44.8 | 41% | Report card | |
10 Bottom 9% in England |
King's Academy Prospect Reading |
35.9 | 36.8 | 29% | Good |
Other towns in Berkshire
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Reading?
On exam results over the last three years, Kendrick School is the top-ranked secondary school in Reading, in the top 1% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.