Setting

Education and boarding inspection summary for Reading School Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW

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Outcome

The education overall effectiveness judgement is: outstanding

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Outcome

The judgement for the experiences and progress of children in the boarding provision is: outstanding

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What is it like to attend this school?

◼ This school inspires pupils to be the best versions of themselves. Impressively high aspirations for academic excellence are matched by those for pupils’ holistic development. Pupils rise consistently to meet and exceed these expectations, achieving very well academically by the time they leave the school. Those who join the school in the sixth form do equally well. Just as importantly, pupils develop into kind and thoughtful young people who are keen to make their mark on the world. ◼ The school’s work focuses clearly on developing people of character. The Floreat programme gives pupils deliberately planned opportunities to learn deeply about relationships, resilience and leadership. The effectiveness of this work is constantly evident, through how pupils interact with each other, respond to challenges and lead aspects such as house events and a broad range of clubs and activities. They extend this work successfully beyond their own school

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What is it like to attend this school?

community, such as through engaging pupils from local primary schools in the ‘Future Stories’ programme. ◼ Pupils’ attitudes to learning are consistently positive. Their enthusiastic engagement with learning matures into determined commitment to their studies. They are equally committed to the broad range of enrichment activities provided by the ‘electives’ curriculum, which all pupils benefit from. Education and boarding inspection summary: Reading School 21–23 November 2023 The inspectors did not make any recommendations to help the school improve.

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What is it like to board at this school?

◼ Children thrive because of the warm and caring relationships that they have with staff. They are enthusiastic when talking about the staff who care for them, the social aspect of boarding, and the extra support they have for their academic studies.Staff support children to become rounded individuals academically and socially. ◼ Staff know each child extremely well. Parents praise the support, commitment, and dedication of the boarding staff. They are pleased with the level of care that their children receive and how much progress their children make. ◼ Children feel heard by staff. If they raise an issue, they know it will not be disregarded. As well as talking to staff, children can share their ideas through ‘student voice’, the opinions and suggestions box, and the student led survey. Children say that school leaders respond positively to any requests that they make. ◼ Children enjoy a wide range of activities both on site and in the community. They

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What is it like to board at this school?

learn new skills, such as cooking and how to share communal kitchens in preparation for going to university. Half termly 'big trips' are particularly enjoyed. Children talked excitedly about canoeing and going to France, among many other experiences. ◼ The staff are flexible in their approach to meeting the children’s individual needs, with a highly effective transition process prior to children moving in. While places are allocated on merit, there is some flexibility regarding who can access the boarding provision. Children say that they know exactly what to expect when they arrive, and are welcomed by other children. Children’s experiences are valued and they learn from their older peers. Year 8 children help to prepare the new year 7 children, and they relish this responsibility. ◼ Children enjoy supporting community projects, charities and visiting local primary schools to help other children realise what they can achieve. The boarding

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What is it like to board at this school?

provision is part of the community. Leaders have helped the neighbouring hospital by offering emergency helicopter landing space. ◼ Children’s health and well-being needs are well met. Matrons are central to understanding and meeting the health needs of the children. Children are well looked after and supported to understand healthy lifestyles and what this means for them. Medication is appropriately stored and monitored. Links with emotional well-being specialists are excellent, including the school's counsellor. Children with specific health needs are all know to staff who have training in how to respond should there be a medical emergency.

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What is it like to board at this school?

The school meets all the national minimum standards .

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What is it like to board at this school?

◼ View the full inspection report for the education provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/136449 . Education and boarding inspection summary: Reading School 21–23 November 2023 ◼ View the full inspection report for the boarding provision: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/1/SC054201 . Education and boarding inspection summary: Reading School 21–23 November 2023 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding

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What is it like to board at this school?

and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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What is it like to board at this school?

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What is it like to board at this school?

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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