Overall Oxbridge
#1,061
21 ranked schools · -147 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,978
Applications
303
Offers
78
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.
112
Primary
schools
27
Secondary
schools
6
All-through
schools
14
Special
schools
3
Other
schools
Area Performance
Across 159 primary, secondary and sixth-form schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 7.59/10, +0.15 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
Distribution across all Reading schools
Reading vs England distribution
National Rank
Across all ranked Reading schools
top 46% of 14,843
top 46% of 14,843
top 35% of 3,818
top 35% of 3,818
top 39% of 2,531
top 39% of 2,531
Overall Oxbridge
21 ranked schools · -147 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,978
Applications
303
Offers
78
Oxford
16 ranked schools · +5 places vs Eng avg #253 of 1,195
Applications
165
Offers
29
Cambridge
17 ranked schools · +167 places vs Eng avg #773 of 1,875
Applications
138
Offers
49
2026
Reading town
2026
Reading town
2026
Reading town
Local directory
Browse 67 local profile links across primary schools in reading town and secondary schools in reading town. Each profile brings together admissions context, performance data, inspection history and school details in one place.
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