SEVERAL secondary schools in Reading have received 'Outstanding' ratings in latest Ofsted reports.

The education watchdogs use a four level rating system: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate.

A school judged outstanding at its most recent inspection will typically receive an inspection every four years, to confirm that the school remains outstanding.

We have compiled a list of all the 'Outstanding' secondary schools in Reading:

Kendrick School, Reading

  • Kendrick School received an Outstanding Ofsted rating in January 2023.
  • The report praises the "passionate and inspiring" senior team.
  • Ofsted noted that "Kendrick offers an engaging, rich and ambitious curriculum for all pupils and sixth formers. Over many years, pupils have benefited from very high standards and achievement in mathematics and the sciences."

St Bartholomew's School, Newbury

  • The school received an Outstanding report in October 2021.
  • The Ofsted report states that pupils recognise the high expectations for achievement, and know that staff want the best for them.
  • It says that lessons are "engaging and purposeful".

Kennet School, Thatcham

  • The school went from Requires Improvement in 2014 to Outstanding in its 2016 inspection.
  • The Ofsted report says: "The school’s work to promote pupil’s personal development and welfare is outstanding."
  • The school was also praised for its "highly ambitious" teachers and high standards.

The Downs School, Newbury

  • Received an Outstanding rating in 2013.
  • The report states: "The drive for all students to be inspired and succeed at the highest level has led to the impressive improvements since the last inspection." This is reflected by it's rating being bumped up from Good.
  • The Ofsted also says that the sixth form is outstanding: "Students make exceptional progress and are very well prepared for the next stage of their education or training."

Reading School, Reading

  • In 2020, the boarding school received an Outstanding report.
  • Reading School is a selective maintained school for boys aged 11 to 18.
  • The reports says that the school is "extremely well-organised" and "sensitive to students’ individual needs".

Maiden Erlegh School, Reading

  • The school received an Outstanding rating in 2020.
  • The Ofsted report says: "Pupils receive an excellent education at this school. They excel in the subjects they study and grow into confident, articulate individuals."
  • It praises the pupils for being "highly ambitious".

The Avenue Special School, Tilehurst

  • Receiving an Outstanding report in 2019, the SEND school provides education for children from ages two to 19 with complex Special Educational Needs.
  • Ofsted have called the school "exceptionally friendly" and safe.
  • It says the curriculum plans are "very clear" in the school’s core subjects of physical development, social and emotional development and communication.
  • "Teachers know exactly what pupils need to be able to do before they move on to the next thing."

Addington School, Woodley

  • This "vibrant" school received an Outstanding rating in 2013.
  • During a 2017 inspection, Ofsted said the school continues to be Outstanding.
  • "The relationships at all levels and between adults and pupils are exceptional. Adults are extremely sensitive to each individual and adjust conditions continually so that pupils learn to manage their behaviour well and there is an excellent attitude to learning in lessons", the Ofsted report states.

Priors Court School, Thatcham

  • The school received an Outstanding rating in March 2022.
  • Prior's Court is a charity providing education and residential care for young people age 5-25 with complex autism.
  • The report states that "pupils feel safe at the school because they know that staff will support them every step of the way. They trust adults to look after them, and they know that adults will help them to overcome challenges when these arise."

See our interactive map for all the 'Outstanding' secondary schools in Reading.