“schools in Reading”

Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

Ofsted has not previously inspected Reading School under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. However, Ofsted previously judged Reading School to be outstanding, before it opened as an academy. 21 to 23 November 2023

Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4UN · Part of The Federation of Park Lane and Moorlands Primary Schools

2

The school has made reading a priority. In Nursery, staff use rhymes and songs to help children understand the sounds that letters make. In Reception, children learn to read skilfully using phonics. Staff ensure that the school’s reading programme is delivered consistently. Pupils at the early stages of reading gain confidence and fluency. The school checks that pupils are on track with the reading programme and gives them the support they need to read with increasing independence. The school promotes a love of reading throughout pupils’ time at school. Pupils benefit from author visits and develop an appreciation of a range of high-quality, diverse books.

Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW

Information about this school

 Reading School is an average-sized selective boys day and boarding school. The predecessor school opened almost 900 years ago and converted to academy status in February 2011.  The school is owned and operated by Reading School, which is a single academy trust. The board of trustees acts as the board of governors.  The school does not use any alternative provision.  The school meets the requirements of the provider access legislation, which requires schools to provide pupils in Years 8 to 13 with information and engagement about approved technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.  The school is currently providing education to a small group of Ukrainian refugees, by agreement with the local authority. These pupils, two of whom are 21 to 23 November 2023

Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW

Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The headteacher of this school is Ashley Robson. This school is part of the Reading School trust, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school. The trust is overseen by a board of trustees, chaired by Bob Kenwrick.

Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 4BZ · Part of Liberty Academy Trust Ltd.

better?

Improving reading is a top priority. Opportunities to encourage reading abound throughout the school. A library, packed with interesting fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels and magazines, is used regularly and is an attractive resource.

61-63 Bath Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 2BB · Part of Excalibur Academies Trust

better?

There is a well-embedded culture of reading in the school. Pupils read widely and often, ably supported by staff during tutor time sessions. The school’s phonics programme is used successfully to help some pupils who may need further help, 23 and 24 January 2024

Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW

3

Inclusion is a way of life at Reading School. The air of acceptance, kindness and respect is tangible. Those who join the school at the start of Year 12 are welcomed warmly and settle quickly into the life of the school. Pupils describe an absence of malice or spite in their interactions with each other. They are proud of how they ‘check’ each other if someone behaves in a way that they do not think is OK, helping each other to learn from their occasional mistakes. Their time at Reading School enables them to flourish.

Whitley Wood, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 8RH

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Reading is at the heart of the school’s curriculum. Very high expectations of all pupils help them develop into fluent readers who enjoy a range of texts. Highly effective daily support helps those pupils at risk of falling behind to keep up with the reading curriculum. A love of reading is fostered in the school. This begins in the early years and is maintained across the whole school. Pupils love reading books recommended by staff.

Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8DB

Description of the school

Reading school. A senior member of the school's staff is the acting deputy headteacher.

Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6BS · Part of Anthem Schools Trust

3

Reading has been successfully prioritised in school. A genuine love of books permeates throughout the school. Pupils are keen to delve into a story and find out what happens next. The school is ambitious for pupils to learn to read as quickly as possible. The school knows that this will help pupils to achieve well in other areas of school life, as well as in the future. All staff follow the same shared approach to teaching reading. Staff are well trained and check how well pupils have understood the sounds they have been learning. Extra support is given to those who haven’t grasped these sounds and to help pupils to keep up with their peers.

Brownlow Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 6NP · Part of Anthem Schools Trust

Information about this school

 The school is a much smaller than the average-sized primary school and serves a district of Reading and the surrounding area.  The proportion of pupils who are eligible for additional government funding, known as the pupil premium, is much lower than the national average.  The proportions of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs and who need extra help are much lower than in other schools nationally. Some of these pupils have moderate learning difficulties. No pupils have statements of special educational needs.  A very small minority of pupils join or leave the school during the school year. This minority is much smaller than that found in most other schools.  A large majority of pupils are of White British heritage.  The school opened in September 2011 as one of the first free schools in the country. It works in partnership with the Schools Trust set up by an education charity.

148 Wokingham Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1JR · Part of East Reading Federation

148 Wokingham Road School address Primary Type of school Reading Community School category RG6 1JR 4 °11 Age range of pupils 0118 9015411 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0118 9015410 Fax number 385 Number on roll (school) Mr Ray Asplin Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Val Preston Headteacher 18 November 2002 Date of previous school inspection

Wolseley Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 6AZ

Wolseley Street School address Primary Type of school Reading Community School category RG1 6AZ 3 °11 Age range of pupils 0118 901 5461 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 0118 901 5462 Fax number 205 Number on roll (school) Mr Tremaine Callier Chair The governing body Appropriate authority Mrs Natasha Brown Headteacher 16 September 2002 Date of previous school inspection

Emmer Green, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 8LR · Part of Glf Schools

What is it like to attend this school?

Cultivating pupils’ reading is a real strength of the school. Weaker readers get the right additional help to become more fluent and confident, supporting their learning across the curriculum. The school develops pupils’ enthusiasm for reading widely, fostered through activities such as regular reading sessions, debates, visits from authors and competitions. The ‘Highdown Canon’ is a selection of culturally rich texts that the school recommends to pupils and encourages them to read. The diversity represented in these books contributes very strongly to pupils’ cultural and spiritual understanding.

Brownlow Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 6NP

Brownlow Road School address Infant Type of school Reading Voluntary aided School category Berkshire RG1 6NP 4 to 7 Age range of pupils 01189015413 Telephone number Mixed Gender of pupils 01189574978 Fax number 45 Number on roll Margaret Wooldridge Chair of governors The governing body Appropriate authority Linda Phillips Headteacher 20 March 2000 Date of previous inspection

Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6LU

Description of the school

The nature of the intake to this average sized primary school has changed since the last inspection. Although it is situated in a relatively prosperous area, it serves families from a wide variety of social backgrounds. This includes pupils from the outskirts of Reading where some families live in disadvantaged social circumstances. About a quarter of the pupils are from minority ethnic groups and a few are at very earliest stages of learning English. The proportion of pupils with learning difficulties and disabilities is just above that found nationally. The proportion eligible for free school meals is above average. The numbers on roll are decreasing in line with a declining school population. The school is being led by an acting headteacher.

Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW

Inspection of Reading School Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 5LW

125 Hartland Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 8AF

Information about the school

A small number of students in Years 10 and 11 are following courses at Reading College. The academy has a specialism in sport and has recently achieved Gold Investors in People status. The current principal took up her post three weeks before the beginning of the inspection.

Brixham Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7RB

Inspection of Whitley Park Primary School, Reading RG2 7RB

The school is giving you a satisfactory education. It has only just started as a primary school and we could see that there are several ways in which the school is getting better. More of you are coming to school regularly. This is important because it means that you are not missing lessons. This will help you learn better. Behaviour has improved too. As we saw, this means most of your lessons are not interrupted anymore and you can get on with your work. Reading and writing are improving and many of you told us how much you enjoyed writing stories and reading.

Cranbury Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 2TS

Information about this school

other schools in Reading.  The college provides an enhanced curriculum and work experience by working with other local providers and businesses, including: Auto Skills, Reading YMCA, RAW Health and Fitness, Reading Rockets, Readipop Studios, Path Hill Outdoor, Outdoor Academy, Heads High Hair and Beauty, Heroes, and Reading FC Community Trust.  Most pupils have SEN and/or disabilities. Many pupils have, or are in the process of, being assessed for education, health and care plans.  About half of the pupils are disadvantaged and entitled to additional funding through the pupil premium. Just under one in ten of the pupils are children looked after by the local authority.