Reading Girls' School Review 2026: A Supportive Environment for Academic Growth

Reading Girls' School is a secondary academy located on Northumberland Avenue in the south of Reading. As a single sex school for students aged 11 to 18, it offers a distinct educational environment that focuses on building confidence and academic resilience among young women. The school joined the Baylis Court Trust in 2017, a move that brought a renewed focus on curriculum stability and leadership. With approximately 950 students, the school is large enough to offer a broad range of GCSE and vocational options while maintaining a community feel where students are known as individuals. Current performance data places the school in a solid position, reflecting progress that sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

The atmosphere at Reading Girls' School is one of quiet purpose and inclusivity. The school serves a diverse catchment area in Whitley and Earley, and this multi-cultural identity is celebrated as a core strength. The current Principal, Ms Marika Farrugia, was appointed in September 2021 and has worked to embed a culture of high expectations paired with strong pastoral support.

Physicality plays a role in the school's identity; the campus features modern specialized blocks alongside more traditional teaching spaces. Students move through the corridors with a sense of ownership, and the absence of a co-educational dynamic is often cited by families as a factor in the students' willingness to take academic risks, particularly in subjects where girls are sometimes underrepresented. The school motto, Fortuna Favet Fortibus (Fortune Favours the Brave), is reflected in the school's emphasis on developing courageous and independent young women who are prepared for the challenges of the modern world.

Academic outcomes at Reading Girls' School show a consistent upward trajectory. In the most recent validated results, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47.8. The Progress 8 score of +0.05 indicates that students make progress that is slightly above the England average from their various starting points at the end of primary school.

Ranked 1,462nd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 19th among secondary schools in Reading, the school performs well within its local context. Specifically, 24.1% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, which includes English, mathematics, sciences, a language, and history or geography. This is supported by an EBacc Average Point Score (APS) of 4.28, which exceeds the England average of 4.08, demonstrating that students are being pushed toward a rigorous academic core.

The curriculum at Reading Girls' School is designed to be both ambitious and accessible. In the lower years (Key Stage 3), students follow a broad program of study that includes a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy. As they move into Key Stage 4, the school offers a mix of traditional GCSEs and high-quality vocational qualifications, allowing students to tailor their education to their strengths.

Teachers utilize evidence-based strategies to ensure that lessons are engaging and that feedback is constructive. Science and mathematics are areas of particular focus, with the school working to dispel gender stereotypes in STEM fields. Small group interventions are frequently used to support students who may be falling behind, ensuring that no one is left to struggle in silence. The latest Ofsted report, which rated the school Good, highlighted that teachers have strong subject knowledge and plan sequences of lessons that build effectively on what students already know.

Where Students Go Next

The sixth form provision is currently in a transitional phase (with the school officially listed as 11-18 but sixth form metrics currently suppressed), the focus remains on preparing students for successful transitions at age 16 and 18. Most Year 11 students progress to local sixth form colleges or further education providers such as Reading College.

For those completing their post-16 studies, the school provides dedicated careers advice to help students navigate university applications or higher-level apprenticeships. The school maintains strong links with local employers and higher education institutions, including the University of Reading, to provide students with a clear view of the opportunities available to them after they leave the school gates.

Reading Girls' School is a popular choice and is currently classified as oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 324 applications for 177 available places. This resulted in a subscription proportion of 1.83, meaning nearly two families applied for every one place offered.

Admissions are coordinated by Reading Borough Council. Priority is given to looked after children, siblings of current students, and those living closest to the school. Parents interested in securing a place should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to local trends. As an academy, the school's governors are the admission authority, but they follow the standard local authority timeline for applications.

The pastoral system is a pillar of the school's success. It is organized into Year Groups, each led by a Head of Year and supported by a team of tutors who see the students daily. This structure ensures that any changes in a student's wellbeing are noticed and addressed quickly.

The school places a high priority on mental health awareness. Formal observations confirm that safeguarding is effective and that students feel safe and supported. The "Hub" provides a dedicated space where students can go for extra emotional or social support during the school day. Peer mentoring is also a feature, with older students acting as "Big Sisters" to newcomers in Year 7, easing the transition from primary school.

Extracurricular life at Reading Girls' School is diverse and designed to cater to a wide range of interests. The school offers a variety of clubs that run before and after school, as well as during lunch breaks.

STEM Excellence

The school encourages participation in the CREST Awards and various coding clubs, fostering an interest in technology and engineering.

Creative Arts

The drama and music departments are active, with annual school productions and a choir that performs at local community events.

Sport

Facilities include a large sports hall and outdoor courts, supporting teams in netball, football, and athletics.

Leadership

The Student Council and the Prefect system provide genuine opportunities for students to influence school policy and lead their peers.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The school week totals 32.5 hours. While wraparound care is less common in secondary settings, the school offers a range of supervised after-school clubs until approximately 4:15pm. The school is well served by local bus routes, particularly the 21 and 21a services from Reading town centre, making it accessible for students living across the borough.

• Oversubscription: With nearly two applications for every place, entry is competitive. Families living outside the immediate vicinity should have a clear secondary option in mind.
• Single Sex Environment: While many thrive in this setting, it is a specific choice. Parents should consider if their daughter would benefit more from a co-educational environment before applying.
• Transitional Sixth Form: Current post-16 data is limited. Families looking specifically for a large, established sixth form may want to inquire directly with the school about current subject availability and cohort sizes.
• Urban Location: Situated on a busy thoroughfare, the school feels very much part of the urban landscape of Reading. This provides great transport links but lacks the "green field" feel of some more rural Berkshire schools.

Reading Girls' School provides a stable, ambitious, and highly supportive environment that successfully empowers young women to achieve their academic potential. Its Good Ofsted rating and positive progress scores reflect a school that is moving in the right direction under capable leadership. It is best suited to girls who may benefit from the confidence-building atmosphere of a single sex school and families who value a diverse, inclusive community. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist as they navigate the Reading admissions process.