Kendrick School Review 2026: One of England's Most Selective Girls' Schools

In Reading's town centre, an oil painting of John Kendrick still hangs in the school hall. The cloth merchant died in 1624, leaving a bequest that, two and a half centuries later, would become this school. Founded in 1877 at Watlington House and relocated to its Grade II listed premises on London Road in 1927, Kendrick stands today as the finest state girls' school in Reading. Ranked 40th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school sits in the elite tier, placing it in the top 2% of schools. With roughly 940 students across Years 7 to 13, Kendrick draws pupils from across Berkshire and beyond, oversubscribed many times over with more than ten applicants for every place. This is a school where being clever is not enough; what drives Kendrick is the relentless pursuit of excellence married to genuine care for character. The atmosphere is purposeful but never joyless.

Just inside the gates at 8:45, you encounter controlled energy. Students move purposefully between lessons, stopping to greet staff by name, their uniforms immaculate, their manner composed. The fabric of the school rests on the Kendrick Pledge, which all students learn and genuinely embrace: we uphold the values of friendship, kindness and respect, and stand against prejudice, ignorance and injustice. This is not performed virtue; inspectors noted that pupils "respect and exemplify the values within the school pledge" and "love being here."

Ms Christine Kattirtzi has led the school since 2012. She studied history and politics at Salford before training at Bath, beginning her teaching career in Leicester in 1981. Under her leadership, Kendrick achieved Outstanding across all Ofsted categories in November 2022. The school is structured around three houses: Cedars (blue seal), Sidmouth (yellow squid), and Palmer (green llama). These houses form the social and competitive heart of school life, creating vertical communities where younger students are mentored by older ones.

The student body reflects modern Reading; 88% of pupils are from ethnic minority backgrounds, and the school actively celebrates this diversity. Among notable alumni is Chi-Chi Nwanoku OBE, the double bassist and founder of the Chineke! Orchestra, evidence that Kendrick nurtures not just academic ability but genuine artistry. The pastoral system is, by all accounts, meticulous. Tutors act as advocates throughout each student's journey, accessible to both pupils and parents. Behaviour is exemplary; the November 2022 inspection specifically noted that "lessons are free from any low-level disruption."

GCSE Performance

In 2024, Kendrick delivered GCSE results that placed it among the nation's elite state schools. 76% of all grades achieved were 9 or 8, with 89% hitting grades 9 to 7. These are extraordinary figures. The average Attainment 8 score was 84.4, reflecting consistent excellence across the full range of subjects. Progress 8 scores of +1.07 sit well above the England average, indicating that students make exceptional progress from their starting points regardless of where they began their secondary education.

The English Baccalaureate is taken seriously; 91% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above across the EBacc (English, mathematics, two sciences, a modern language, and either history or geography). This breadth is deliberate. Kendrick does not allow students to retreat into narrow specialism; rigour is applied across the curriculum.

Locally, Kendrick ranks 1st among Reading schools, as well as 40th in England, reflecting an unambiguous position at the apex of girls' grammar education in the region (FindMySchool ranking).

A-Level Performance

The sixth form expanded in recent years, completing its growth to four-form entry in September 2024. A-level outcomes reflect the calibre of the intake. 24% of grades achieved were A*, with 79% hitting A*-B. The school ranks 160th in England for A-level attainment (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the national high tier for sixth form excellence. Students consistently achieve the grades needed for competitive university courses.

The curriculum is broad and sequential. In Year 7, students study English, mathematics, science, a modern language (French or German), history, geography, religious studies, music, art, computing, physical education, drama, food technology, textiles, and technology. Year 8 adds a second modern language and Latin. Science becomes departmentally discrete in Year 9 (biology, chemistry, and physics), reflecting the school's specialism in science and mathematics.

At GCSE, core subjects are English language, English literature, mathematics, and science (combined or separate). Students then choose one humanities subject (geography, history, or religious studies) plus one modern language. Beyond that, they can select from art, textile design, business, computer science, drama, food preparation, Latin, music, and physical education. A-level offerings span traditional academic subjects through to further mathematics, reflecting the mathematically confident cohort.

Teaching is characterised by subject expertise. Staff prioritise deep understanding over surface coverage. The school holds designation as a Science Leadership Partnership hub, providing support and expertise to neighbouring schools. Small class sizes at A-level (often below twelve) allow for sustained intellectual challenge. Lessons observed during inspection contained "no low-level disruption" and demonstrated clear structures. The November 2022 inspection reported that the school delivers "first-class education across languages, humanities and a range of creative and practical subjects."

In 2024, 83% of school leavers progressed to university. Thirteen students secured places at Oxford and Cambridge, a remarkable achievement. At Kendrick School, beyond Oxbridge, leavers regularly secure places at Imperial College, UCL, Edinburgh, Durham, Bristol, and Warwick. The school actively supports application to selective universities through dedicated UCAS preparation, mock interviews, and mentoring for students aiming at medicine and other competitive courses.

The sixth form functions as a genuine transition to independence. Internal progression from Year 11 is substantial but not automatic; around two-thirds of Year 11 students remain into sixth form, whilst the school welcomes external candidates, including those from the nearby Reading School boys' sixth form. This mixing creates a dynamic social sixth form with real co-educational flavour without being a co-ed school.

The extracurricular programme is prodigious and genuinely open to all. The school encourages every student to participate in at least one activity, and many involve themselves in several. The music department alone spans ten major ensembles. Three orchestras serve different levels: the junior Sinfonia (grades 2-5), the senior Symphony Orchestra (grades 6+), and the Wind Orchestra. Three choirs operate: Vox Choir (Years 7-8), Senior Choir (Years 9 and above), and Chamber Choir (by audition only, elite standard). Beyond that, students can join the Jazz Band, and specialist ensembles for harp, flute, guitar, brass, and strings. This is infrastructure for genuine musicians. The school holds an annual Young Musicians' Competition open to performers within 30 miles of Reading, with prize-winners performing concertos alongside the orchestra.

Drama is equally ambitious. Student-led productions occur every two to three years at scale: recent performances include "Guys and Dolls" (2016) and "We Will Rock You" (2018), the latter performed jointly with Reading School. The school also participates in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, with student-directed Shakespeare productions. Pantomimes written and directed by students in Year 12 are performed for local primary schools. Technical Theatre Club, Scriptwriting and Directing Club, and annual House Drama competitions keep the activity vibrant.

STEM runs across multiple strands. First LEGO League is actively supported with teams competing in England. A Robotics Club, Coding Club, Science Club, and Space Society all meet regularly. The Debate Club develops public speaking and critical thinking. The TED-Ed Club explores ideas worth spreading. A Journalists' Club has hosted a local MP. The Mathematical Society offers enrichment, particularly for those considering further mathematics.

Chess is exceptionally popular. The school has fielded teams in multiple online competitions including the "She Plays to Win" championship and the Delancey Chess Challenge. Regular tournaments run throughout the year, with the Reading Inter-Schools Chess Tournament a notable fixture. Photography competitions and House Photography events encourage visual creativity.

Humanities clubs include the Readathon Club (spanning 20+ students across Years 7-12, currently reading classic novels), the Poets' Society (with its own anthology series), Holocaust Ambassadors, and the Eco Committee. A Classics Club partners with Reading University's Classics Department for specialist enrichment.

Sports are organised around the school's facilities: indoor sports hall, floodlit outdoor courts, dance studio, and swimming pool. Competitive teams operate in netball, hockey, tennis, athletics, badminton, volleyball, and basketball. Dance and gymnastics have dedicated followings. Physical education is mandatory through GCSE, with a wide range of activities from swimming to rounders. Keener athletes participate in inter-school fixtures with, as one PE teacher noted, reasonable results. The Combined Cadet Force (Army section) runs an annual camp, most recently at Longmoor Training Area.

Extended trips are embedded in the curriculum: Year 8 students visit Germany for modern foreign language immersion; Year 10 students undertake GCSE-related educational visits; and Year 13 students have the opportunity to benefit from university-linked placements. The Creative Arts Festival showcases drama, dance, music, and visual art throughout the school year.

The school's approach balances accessibility with excellence. Music tuition on almost every instrument is available through peripatetic teachers; students arriving with no instrumental experience can progress to grades 8 and beyond. The Kendrick Parents' Society runs regular events and a pre-loved uniform shop, reducing financial barriers to participation.

The school is unashamedly academic. Students are selected at age 11 for the top 25% of ability in England; by sixth form, the cohort is exceptionally bright. Yet excellence is not treated as a burden but as an opportunity. The Widening Horizons initiative explicitly aims to widen participation, with pupil premium students prioritised in admissions (75 places out of 128 go to pupils from the designated Priority Area 1, with priority given to those on free school meals). The school's Sutton Trust Fair School Admissions Award (Gold level, 2024 and 2025) reflects genuine commitment to broadening access beyond the grammar school stereotype.

The November 2022 Ofsted inspection highlighted safeguarding as a strength, noting that "arrangements for safeguarding are effective" and that there is "a culture of vigilance" where "staff care deeply about pupils' wellbeing." A dedicated wellbeing team operates across the school. Mental health is taken seriously; Wellbeing Ambassadors work alongside the School Council to promote positive mental health and self-care. Sixth form students are explicitly supported in settling in, with dedicated pastoral time and mentoring available for any student struggling with social, academic, or personal challenges.

All Year 12 and 13 students engage in voluntary service, either through mentoring younger students, working in school leadership roles, or undertaking community service. This reflects the school's commitment to practical citizenship and develops the kind of social awareness parents increasingly seek.

This is a selective school. Entry at Year 7 requires passing an 11+ exam, taken in September of Year 6. The test comprises two papers (each roughly 45 minutes), assessing verbal reasoning, mathematical reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning skills through multiple-choice questions. In 2025, 128 places were available; applications exceeded 1,000. More children reach the qualifying standard each year than places exist; oversubscription criteria then apply.

Priority is given first to pupils on free school meals (pupil premium) living within the designated Priority Area 1 (covering central Reading postcodes: RG1, RG2, RG3, RG4 areas). Places then proceed by test score to candidates within Priority Area 2 (wider Berkshire postcodes extending to Hampshire and Sussex borders), and finally to those beyond the designated area. An EHCP naming the school guarantees admission if the qualifying standard is met.

External entry into Year 9, Year 12, and Year 13 is possible but occurs only when places exist. Sixth form entry requires strong GCSE grades and subject-specific requirements for A-level choices.

Parents should verify current deadlines with the school, as the 11+ registration and exam dates shift annually. Registration typically closes in July, with exams in September and results released in mid-October, allowing time to name the school on the secondary school common application form (deadline: 31 October).

The school day runs 8:50am to 3:20pm Monday to Friday. The town centre location means easy access by public transport: Reading railway station is walkable, and multiple bus routes serve the site. Cycling is permitted with a cycle permit (helmet mandatory). Parking near the school is limited; parents are advised to find legal parking nearby and allow students to walk to the gates. The Cedars car park, located opposite on Sidmouth Street, offers limited free spaces on a first-come basis.

Uniform is compulsory and includes blazer, skirt, and formal shoes. A pre-loved uniform shop, run by the Kendrick Parents' Society, operates the first Saturday of each term (9-11am) in the school conservatory, reducing costs for families.

The school fund accepts voluntary contributions to support facilities and resources beyond the core budget. Sixth form students are encouraged to undertake additional personal development: the Duke of Edinburgh Award, voluntary work placements, and leadership roles are all available. Most sixth formers work part-time, with the school supportive of balancing academic and employment commitments.

Selective entrance is genuinely competitive. More than ten candidates apply for each place. Passing the 11+ qualifies a child to be considered, but does not guarantee admission. The test assesses reasoning more than curriculum knowledge, but many families do engage tutoring. Parents should prepare for rejection as a real possibility.

The peer group is exceptionally bright. This creates both opportunity and pressure. Every student was top of their primary class. The transition from being the cleverest in the room to being surrounded by peers of equal ability can be emotionally significant. The pastoral system is strong and understands this, but it remains a real shift for some students.

The grammar school culture is traditional. The school celebrates its heritage, respects formality, and maintains high behavioural expectations. Students wear uniform, address staff respectfully, and compete through the house system. This appeals strongly to some families and feels constraining to others. There are no alternative social norms on offer; the school culture is coherent and unapologetic.

Sixth form entry is not guaranteed. While the majority of Year 11 students progress into Year 12, it is not automatic. Students must achieve strong grades and meet subject-specific requirements. In a cohort of very high-achieving girls, there is still stratification based on performance.

The location is urban, not leafy. The school sits on London Road in the town centre. There are no extensive playing fields; sports facilities are functional and shared through a lettings programme. Students accustomed to spacious, rural schooling may feel the environment constraining.

Kendrick School is one of England's most selective state girls' schools, offering first-class education to those who gain entry. Academic results are exceptional; social infrastructure is thoughtful; extracurricular opportunity is genuinely abundant. The school manufactures neither anxiety nor complacency; it simply expects high standards and enables students to meet them. Best suited to girls who are not only academically able but who flourish in structured, academic environments where excellence is celebrated and tradition respected. For families within the designated catchment area, passing the 11+ opens a door to something rare: a top-tier state education with no tuition fees. The admission hurdle is the genuine barrier; once secured, the education is transformative.