News

Best and Worst secondary schools in Reading (Update)

Published

1 year ago

April 16, 2024

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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

Reading’s First Winter Light Trail – A Magical Family Outing

Published

1 week ago

August 20, 2025

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Reading is about to get a little more magical this winter. From Saturday 15th November 2025, the town will light up with its very first Winter Light Trail at Forbury Gardens and the Abbey Ruins — a sparkling new event designed to delight visitors of all ages.

Take a 30–50 minute stroll through the historic grounds, now transformed into a glittering winter wonderland. From colourful light installations to twinkling pathways, every corner offers something to marvel at and photograph — the perfect backdrop for creating festive memories.

The fun doesn’t stop at the lights. Warm up with festive drinks from the bar, enjoy delicious treats from the food court, and even toast marshmallows under the glow of the sparkling displays. It’s an experience that’s as tasty as it is magical.

Open daily from 4pm to 8pm between 15th November 2025 and 4th January 2026, tickets start from just £7.95 for children and £11.95 for adults. Bring the whole family and step into a world of winter magic right in the heart of Reading.

📍 Where: Forbury Park Gardens, Reading
🎟 Tickets & Info: https://www.illuminatereading.co.uk/

News

Reading Misses Recycling Target as South Oxfordshire Leads Nation

Published

3 weeks ago

August 8, 2025

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Reading is falling just shy of England’s national recycling target, according to the latest government figures for 2023/24, with some nearby councils pulling well ahead.

Data released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reveals significant differences in how much household waste is being recycled across the south of England. While the national average sits at 44%, some councils are exceeding that by a wide margin — and others lagging far behind.

South Oxfordshire District Council leads the way for the second consecutive year, recycling 62.9% of its household waste. Close behind are the Vale of White Horse (60.7%) and Dorset Council (60.5%).

By contrast, councils like Portsmouth (27.9%), Gosport (26.3%), and Slough (24.9%) are well below the national average. Slough, which neighbours parts of Berkshire, has one of the lowest rates in the country.

In Berkshire, just three councils are currently meeting the target set in 2020 to recycle at least 50% of household waste:

Bracknell Forest – 55.7%
West Berkshire – 53.4%
Wokingham – 55.4%

Reading Borough Council recorded a recycling rate of 49.8%, narrowly missing the target. Nearby Windsor and Maidenhead also fell short, recycling 49.1% of waste.

The wide variation in performance is down to a mix of factors, including population density, housing types, and the amount of garden or organic waste being collected.

While Reading’s figures show progress, the close miss highlights the need for further improvement if the town is to meet future environmental goals and keep pace with neighbouring authorities.

News

Reading Labour MPs Vote Against Assisted Dying Bill

Published

2 months ago

June 20, 2025

admin

A deeply emotional and historic vote took place this week. The House of Commons approved the Terminally Ill Adults Bill—law that proposes to grant terminally ill persons under English and Welsh jurisdiction the right to have assisted death by a medical practitioner if it should pass the House of Lords.

The bill passed with a thin majority of 314 votes to 291 and sparked national debates brimming with saxophonic emotion. It was a free vote; that is, members of Parliament could vote according to conscience, and the party was not expected to bind them. The bill secured the support of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer but apparently was rejected by Leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch and Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

All three of Reading’s Labour MPs, Matt Rodda (Reading Central), Olivia Bailey (Reading West and Mid Berkshire), and Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley), voted against the bill. They may well have objections rooted in such concerns as the safeguarding of vulnerable people, possible pressure being put on those with life-limiting conditions, and just the sheer moral gravity of a change of that kind.

For many people in Reading and elsewhere, this bill goes well beyond politics. It arises out of dignity, choice, and compassion for the hardest moment. Respect goes to those who voted with care and conviction; passing of this bill has been another step toward giving people in unbearable suffering the freedom to choose how and when their life ends-on their terms, with support, been one of the options, and without pain. It’s a difficult subject to deal with, but at its basic level, one of a few simple human desires is to die with dignity.