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School profile Verified 17 July 2026

Reading Private schools

The Abbey School Reading

17 Kendrick Road, Reading, RG1 5DZ

The Abbey School Reading is a private secondary-stage school in Reading, Berkshire, with a published age range of 3-19.

Private school Girls Ages 3-19 Sixth form No boarders Individual
Application ?
Apply direct to school
Age range
3-19
ISI ?
Standards met
Boarding ?
No boarders
Compare Official website Map

On this page

At a glance

Key facts

Sector
Private school
Gender
Girls only
Application ?
Individual
Age range
3-19
Boarding ?
No boarders
Route check
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
ISI ?
Standards met

Overview

The Abbey School Reading carries girls from the early years into the Senior School and Sixth Form, creating an all-through single-sex community rather than a series of separate institutions. Its selective secondary entry sits within a long-running culture of academic ambition, and pupils can remain in the same school for their sixth-form study.

Critical thinking and individual development sit beside the examination curriculum. Sport, music, drama, clubs, trips and leadership opportunities give the senior day a rhythm beyond lessons and revision. With no boarding, the Reading journey is part of the lived experience rather than an incidental detail.

Entry is direct to The Abbey rather than through a local-authority grammar-school route. The assessment requirements, subject choices and financial-assistance arrangements can differ by year of entry. The school is most clearly defined by its selective girls-only continuity, from early education through Sixth Form, and its substantial senior programme.

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Key points
Assessment route
Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
Places and demand
Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
Catchment
Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
Results
0% grade 5+ in English and maths and 27.6 Attainment 8
Sixth form
Sixth form available with 35.9% AAB or better.

GCSE benchmark

Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Reading and England.

School Local authority England
GCSE benchmark comparison Latest GCSE benchmark measures for Abbey School Reading, Reading, and England. 0 50 100 Att. 8 5+ E&M EBacc APS EBacc %
Attainment 8
27.6
Grade 5+ English and maths
0%
EBacc APS
1.19
EBacc entry
0%

Attainment 8 trend

Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Reading and England.

School Local authority England
Attainment 8 trend line Attainment 8 over time for Abbey School Reading, Reading, and England. 60 40 20 0 21/22 22/23 23/24 24/25

School details
Sector
Private school
School type
Other independent school
Funding
Independent fee-paying
Application
Apply direct to school
Gender
Girls only
Age range
3-19
Head
Dr Sarah Tullis
Pupil roll
807 pupils
Sixth form
Yes

Location and contact

Address

Address
17 Kendrick Road, Reading, Berkshire
Postcode
RG1 5DZ
Area
Reading

School leadership

Head
Dr Sarah Tullis

School contact

School phone
01189872256

Admissions contact

Admissions team
Admissions
Admissions email
admissions@theabbey.co.uk
Admissions phone
01189 876992
Open in Map Open school website

Admissions
Application route
Apply direct to school
Age range
3-19
Gender
Girls only
Boarding
No boarders
Day fees
Senior School Years 7-13 tuition including VAT, 2026-27.
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries
Entrance details
External Year 7 applicants sit the school's English, Mathematics and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning papers, then take part in activities and a short informal interview. A current-school reference is requested. Formal preparation is discouraged and no past papers are supplied.
Admissions note
Direct application to the school is required. Year 7 selection considers school-prepared assessment papers, an informal interview, activities and a current-school reference. Offers take account of academic ability and potential, wider qualities and the capacity of the year group; detailed assessment outcomes are not made public.

Direct application to the school is required. Year 7 selection considers school-prepared assessment papers, an informal interview, activities and a current-school reference. Offers take account of academic ability and potential, wider qualities and the capacity of the year group; detailed assessment outcomes are not made public.

Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.

Oversubscription and eligibility

  1. 1

    Abbey family connection

    When choosing between two or more candidates who meet the admissions criteria, preference may be given to daughters or close relations of Abbey alumnae and others actively or closely associated with the school.

  2. 2

    Sibling connection

    Preference may be given to siblings of current or past students when otherwise suitable candidates must be distinguished.

  3. 3

    Date of registration

    Date of registration may be used when otherwise suitable candidates must be distinguished.

Admissions policy

Admissions Policy

Exam and test format

Entrance route and assessment

External Year 7 applicants sit the school's English, Mathematics and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning papers, then take part in activities and a short informal interview. A current-school reference is requested. Formal preparation is discouraged and no past papers are supplied.

Assessment route
Individual
Papers and stages
2 stages
Format
Mixed format

Papers and rounds

  1. Round 1

    English, Maths, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Writing task

    Year 7 entrance papers

    Three 45-minute school-prepared papers: English composition and comprehension, Mathematics, and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning.

  2. Round 2

    Interview, Other

    Activities and informal interview

    All candidates are invited for activities and a short informal interview; a current-school reference also informs the decision.

Published assessment components

English, Maths, Verbal reasoning, Non-verbal reasoning, Writing task and Interview are listed across the school's published assessment routes.

Published

  • English

  • Maths

  • Verbal reasoning

    Three 45-minute school-prepared papers: English composition and comprehension, Mathematics, and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning.

  • Non-verbal reasoning

    Three 45-minute school-prepared papers: English composition and comprehension, Mathematics, and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning.

  • Writing task

    Three 45-minute school-prepared papers: English composition and comprehension, Mathematics, and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning.

  • Interview

    All candidates are invited for activities and a short informal interview; a current-school reference also informs the decision.

Application

Key dates

Get date reminders

  1. Year 7 scholarship application deadline

    Friday 9 October

    The current FAQ table does not state the year in the date cell.

  2. Year 7 registration deadline

    Friday 23 October

    The current FAQ table does not state the year in the date cell.

  3. Year 7 bursary application deadline

    Friday 30 October

    The current FAQ table does not state the year in the date cell.

  4. Year 7 entrance tests, scholarship assessments and interview

    2 November 2026

  5. Year 7 offer notification

    By the first week of December

How to apply

  1. 1

    Register directly with the school

    Complete the school's registration form. A non-refundable UK registration fee of £120 including VAT applies.

    Register with the school
  2. 2

    Attend the Year 7 assessment and interview

    External Year 7 applicants complete English, Mathematics and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning papers, activities and a short informal interview.

    Check assessment details
  3. 3

    School reference

    The applicant's current school is contacted for a reference as part of the admissions process.

    Read the admissions FAQ
  4. 4

    Accept an offer

    Return the signed Parent Contract by the stated deadline and pay the acceptance deposit.

    Check offer requirements

Official admissions documents

Admissions policy

Admissions Policy

Results

Attainment snapshot

Attainment 8 ?
27.6 Attainment 8
GCSE results
0% grade 4+ in English and maths
Grade 5+ English and maths ?
0% grade 5+ in English and maths
EBacc average point score ?
1.19 EBacc APS
A-level results
35.9% AAB or better
A-level average points
44.06 A-level points per entry

Inspection
View report
Standards met

Latest inspection: 10 February 2026

Leadership, management and governance
Standards met
Quality of education, training and recreation
Standards met
Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
Standards met
Social and economic education and contribution to society
Standards met
Safeguarding
Standards met

Quick summary

  • ISI outcome: The February 2026 routine inspection found that all relevant standards were met across leadership and governance, education, wellbeing, social and economic education, and safeguarding.
  • Recommended next steps: ISI recommended clearer progress advice in reports, more consistent assessment in PSHE and relationships and sex education, stronger early-years personal development, and more precise complaint records.

Similar schools and comparisons

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Shortlist comparisons

Compare Abbey School Reading with Putney High School GDST Compare Abbey School Reading with Adcote School for Girls Compare Abbey School Reading with Al-Khair Secondary Girls

Explore this school in context

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Related pages and guides

Guides and related reading

Related guides are still being added.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does Abbey School Reading handle admissions?

Abbey School Reading handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.

How do I apply to Abbey School Reading?

1. Register directly with the school: Complete the school's registration form. A non-refundable UK registration fee of £120 including VAT applies. 2. Attend the Year 7 assessment and interview: External Year 7 applicants complete English, Mathematics and verbal/non-verbal Reasoning papers, activities and a short informal interview. 3. School reference: The applicant's current school is contacted for a reference as part of the admissions process. 4. Accept an offer: Return the signed Parent Contract by the stated deadline and pay the acceptance deposit.

When are the key dates for Abbey School Reading?

Year 7 scholarship application deadline: Friday 9 October. Year 7 registration deadline: Friday 23 October. Year 7 bursary application deadline: Friday 30 October. Year 7 entrance tests, scholarship assessments and interview: 2 November 2026. Year 7 offer notification: By the first week of December

What does the latest inspection picture look like for Abbey School Reading?

Abbey School Reading is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 10 February 2026.