Overall Oxbridge
#1,034
22 ranked schools · -120 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,984
Applications
305
Offers
79
Offer rate25.9%
+3.5 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 22.4%
Berkshire's largest town and the commercial engine of the Thames Valley, Reading grew from a medieval market settlement on the confluence of the Rivers Thames and Kennet into one of England's most significant tech and business centres, its recorded origins stretching back to Reading Abbey, which Henry I founded in 1121. Around 175,000 people call it home.
Elizabeth line and Great Western Main Line services from the town's expanded station connect Reading to central London and the wider rail network, anchoring its role as a regional hub across the county. Within Reading, Whitley draws families competing for primary places in the town's southern catchments, while nearby Crowthorne is widely regarded as one of Berkshire's most school-competitive corners, particularly for families weighing independent schooling alongside strong state provision. Sonning, Theale, and Shinfield complete the ring of sought-after addresses encircling the town.
Area Performance
Across 161 primary, secondary and sixth-form schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 7.48/10, +0.04 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
Distribution across all Reading schools
Reading vs England distribution
National Rank
Across all ranked Reading schools
top 45% of 14,978
top 45% of 14,978
top 33% of 3,862
top 33% of 3,862
top 40% of 2,555
top 40% of 2,555
Overall Oxbridge
22 ranked schools · -120 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,984
Applications
305
Offers
79
Oxford
16 ranked schools · +5 places vs Eng avg #253 of 1,198
Applications
165
Offers
29
Cambridge
18 ranked schools · +180 places vs Eng avg #773 of 1,881
Applications
140
Offers
50
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