News

Best and Worst secondary schools in Reading (Update)

Published

1 year ago

April 16, 2024

admin

The anticipation is palpable among hundreds of primary school students in Reading and its nearby areas as they await the crucial decision of which secondary school they will be attending.

Following the surprising announcement of the Wren school’s downgrade from a ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ rating by Ofsted, there has been a request to publish an updated list ranking the best and worst schools in Reading according to their Ofsted evaluations.

Ofsted employs a four-tier rating system consisting of Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, and Inadequate.

Schools rated as Outstanding during their latest inspection typically undergo reassessment every four years to ensure they maintain their exceptional standard.

Below is a compiled list of secondary schools in Reading along with their corresponding Ofsted ratings:

Rating: Outstanding

Kendrick School
Category: Secondary
London Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5BN0.68 miles
Latest report: 13 January 2023

Reading School
Category: Secondary
Category: Boarding School
Reading School, Main House, Erleigh Road, Reading, RG1 5LW1.15 miles
Latest report: 01 February 2024

Reading School
Category: Secondary
Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW1.15 miles
Latest report: 01 February 2024

Brookfields Special School
Category: Special School
Sage Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 6SW3.18 miles
Latest report: 10 October 2019

Maiden Erlegh School
Silverdale Rd, Earley, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 7HS2.61 miles
Latest report: 11 March 2020

Addington School
Category: Special School
Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, RG5 3EU2.62 miles
Latest report: 26 May 2023

Rating: Good

King’s Academy Prospect
Category: Secondary
Cockney Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4EX1.77 miles
Latest report: 30 November 2022

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre
Category: Secondary
Surley Row, Emmer Green, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8LR1.84 miles
Latest report: 22 October 2018

The Avenue Special School
Category: Special School
The Avenue Centre, Conwy Close, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4BZ2.13 miles
Latest report: 28 June 2023

Thames Valley School
Category: Special School
2 Conwy Close, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4BZ2.13 miles
Latest report: 16 January 2023

Red Balloon Learner Centre Reading
Category: Independent School
220-222 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4JJ0.92 miles
Latest report: 18 April 2013

The WREN School
61-63 Bath Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 2BB1.08 miles
Rating: Requires Improvement
Latest report: 29 February 2024

Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School
Category: Secondary
Fawley Road, Southcote, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 3EP1.31 miles
Latest report: 09 November 2023

Reading Girls’ School
Category: Secondary
Northumberland Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7PY1.49 miles
Latest report: 21 January 2022

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading
Category: Secondary
81 Crescent Road, Reading, RG1 5SL1.65 miles
Latest report: 10 November 2023

The Bulmershe School
Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, RG5 3EU2.62 miles
Latest report: 06 February 2024

Little Heath School
Category: Secondary
Little Heath Road, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 5TY3.38 miles
Latest report: 30 January 2024

The Vine Christian School
Category: Independent School
Mitford Close, Basingstoke Road, Three Mile Cross, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1HF3.42 miles
Latest report: 22 September 2023

Denefield School
Category: Secondary
Long Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG31 6XY3.51 miles
Latest report: 18 December 2023

Waingels
Waingels Road, Woodley, Reading, Berkshire, RG5 4RF3.9 miles
Latest report: 20 July 2023

Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge
Category: Secondary
Reades Lane, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9LN4.07 miles
Latest report: 04 July 2022

Bishopswood School
Grove Road, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9RH4.17 miles
No report yet – Why?

Haywards Farm School
Station Road, Theale, Reading, RG7 4AS4.44 miles
Latest report: 29 September 2023

The Forest School
Category: Secondary
Robin Hood Lane, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5NE4.66 miles
Latest report: 16 September 2021

Theale Green School
Category: Secondary
Church Street, Reading, RG7 5DA4.8 miles
Latest report: 28 June 2022

Rating:Require Improvement

Thames Valley School
Category: Special School
2 Conwy Close, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4BZ2.13 miles
Latest report: 16 January 2023

Oakbank
Category: Secondary
Hyde End Lane, Ryeish Green, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 1ER3.66 miles
Latest report: 16 January 2024

The Deenway Montessori School
Category: Independent School
3-5 Sidmouth Street, Reading, RG1 4QZ0.62 miles
Latest report: 11 October 2023

Rating: Inadequate

UTC Reading
Crescent Road, East Reading, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5RQ1.75 miles
Latest report: 13 November 2023

John Madejski Academy
125 Hartland Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 8AF2.19 miles
Latest report: 24 November 2023

News

Opinion: Reading’s RingGo-Only Parking System Is Ridiculous, Not Revolutionary

Published

2 weeks ago

May 16, 2025

admin

Reading Borough Council’s recent move to scrap cash and card payments for parking in favour of RingGo-only app payments isn’t just inconvenient — it’s verging on the ridiculous.

Across the town, parking machines have been “covered” — not with proper signage or professional notices — but with what look like black bin bags and hastily stuck-on paper notes held in place with bits of sellotape. These make-do signs read: “This machine is only accepting RingGo payments. Location code…” as if that explains everything.

Frankly, it’s comical — if not insulting. This slapdash presentation makes a mockery of a serious change that impacts thousands of residents, workers, and visitors.

The council claims the shift will save money, cutting annual costs from £44,000 to a leaner £29,000 by removing cash collection and maintenance fees. But what about the cost to the public?

Not everyone owns a smartphone. Not everyone is comfortable navigating apps or calling an automated line to pay for a simple parking space. This move sidelines the elderly, the less tech-savvy, and anyone without reliable access to mobile data and tourists unfamiliar with the app.

Worse still, these makeshift signs — flimsy bits of paper stuck to bin bags — give the impression of a temporary issue, not a carefully considered, permanent change. It’s a poor substitute for clear communication and thoughtful planning.

Yes, the council wants to modernise and save money. But that shouldn’t come at the expense of accessibility and common sense. Reading deserves a parking system that works for everyone — not just those who have the right app and enough battery.

If the council insists on digital-first, it must still provide physical, well-marked options and a respectful transition. Bin bags and sellotape won’t cut it.

News

Big Changes to Bin Collection Days in Reading from 9 June

Published

4 weeks ago

May 1, 2025

admin

Reading Borough Council has confirmed that changes to bin collection days will come into effect from Monday 9 June, and every household in the borough will be affected in some way.

For some residents, the update will mean a full shift in their collection schedule, including a swap between grey and red bin weeks and potentially a new day of the week. Others may keep their current week rotation, but will still see their collection day change.

Despite the reshuffle, the overall frequency of collections remains the same: food waste will continue to be picked up weekly, and grey (residual waste) and red (recycling) bins will still alternate every other week.

The Council says these changes will help improve the reliability and efficiency of the service. Going forward, only one type of waste—either recycling or residual—will be collected across the borough each day. This focused approach means the Council can respond more quickly to staff or vehicle shortages, helping to avoid missed collections.

The new structure also prepares Reading’s waste services for the future. It creates room for the introduction of new kerbside collections—like glass recycling—once those are launched. It’s also a step toward managing the rising demand brought on by new housing and a growing population.

Residents will be able to check their updated collection schedules online soon. In addition, everyone will receive a leaflet through the post in late May that includes a printed calendar showing their new bin days—so it’s worth keeping an eye out for that.

To help keep track of the changes, the Council is recommending the free Scrapp app, available from any phone app store. Once installed, users can enter their address and enable reminders the night before each collection. After selecting “England” and then “Reading Borough Council,” users will see the ‘Bin Reminders’ option on the homepage, where they can tap to subscribe.

News

Thames Water Pumps Sewage for 298,000 Hours, Lib Dems Demand OFWAT Reform

Published

1 month ago

April 24, 2025

admin

Last year, Thames Water pumped over 298,000 hours worth of sewage into waterways, according to new data published recently.

In Reading, residents are increasingly concerned about the spoiling of our waterways, such as the River Thames.

The Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to replace Ofwat with a new regulator with proper enforcement powers to hold water companies accountable and stop the sewage scandal.

Councillor James Moore, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Reading Borough Council, said:

“Here in Reading, residents are appalled by what’s happening to our local waterways whilst facing sky-high water bills.

“The Government should act now to get a new regulator in place to protect British rivers and seas from being pumped with disgusting sewage. Ofwat must go.

“I and the Liberal Democrats will continue to protect our local waterways and fight for much tougher regulation of a water industry which is profiting from pollution.”