Best Secondary Schools in Reading 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 11 schools across Reading. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Reading has 11 secondary schools, of which 3 (27%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 5 rated Good — 73% of secondary schools in Reading are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Kendrick School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Reading follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

11
Total schools
3
Outstanding
27%
Outstanding rate
63.5%
Avg KS2 SATs
45
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Kendrick School
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥈 Reading School
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥉 Reading Girls' School
Secondary
 Good 67 View school
4. Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
5. Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
6. Maiden Erlegh School in Reading
Secondary
 Good 59 View school
7. River Academy
Secondary
 — 50 View school
8. King's Academy Prospect
Secondary
 Good 48 View school
9. The WREN School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 48 View school
10. UTC Reading
Secondary
 Outstanding 40 View school
11. Hartland High School
Secondary
 Inadequate 35 View school

Related lists for Reading

All schools in ReadingPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in ReadingReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Reading3 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Reading

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Reading?
There are 11 secondary schools in Reading, of which 3 (27%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Reading?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Reading is Kendrick School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Reading?
Primary and secondary school applications in Reading are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Reading council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Reading?
27% of secondary schools in Reading are rated Outstanding and 45% are rated Good. 70.8% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.