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    • About

    Mission, Vision & Values

    Our Purpose

    Founded in 1125, Reading School is one of the oldest schools in England and one of a small number of state grammar schools to offer boarding. We educate boys to the highest academic standards while forming young men of integrity and leadership: rooted in Reading, confident anywhere in the world.

    We value:

    We are built on four values. They are common words, so we hold ourselves to what they mean in practice.

    Excellence

    We pursue knowledge, truth and mastery for their own sake. Our boys are taught to be curious, to think for themselves and to take on intellectual challenge because they enjoy it, not only because it is examined.

    Integrity

    We do the right thing, especially when it is difficult. Our boys learn to respect themselves, each other and the world around them, and to use what they know to make sound and principled decisions.

    Leadership

    We define leadership as service. Our boys develop a sense of purpose and the willingness to work with and for others, carrying it into their families, communities and careers.

    Community

    We are a local school with an international outlook. Through our Future Stories programme we work with local primary schools to widen access and support social mobility, and through partnerships with schools and organisations in Denmark, Finland and China, and membership of the International Boys' Schools Coalition, we connect our boys to the wider world.

    Our Strategic Direction

    Our strategy builds on what makes Reading School distinctive while realising the full potential of every boy. We aim to:

    We aim to:

    • Develop young men with the courage and integrity to uphold moral values, serve others and lead in their families, communities and beyond.
    • Build the resilience and skills our boys need to meet the challenges of adult life.
    • Prepare every boy intellectually and emotionally for higher education and the world of work.
    • Remain an academic school and an inspiring, enjoyable place to learn.
    • Teach in a way that is rigorous, challenging and intellectually engaging.
    • Create the conditions for real friendship and community through a wide range of activities.
    • Recruit and develop the best teachers and support staff we can to deliver these goals.
    Click to view Reading School Strategic Development Plan 2026-2036 

    Use the keyboard arrow key to navigate the Development Plan

    Why Reading School

    A selective boys' school with nine centuries of history and a state boarding tradition is a rare thing in England. The record backs it up:

    • Founded in 1125, making Reading School older than most English universities.
    • One of fewer than 40 state boarding schools in the country, rated Outstanding for boarding by Ofsted and a member of the Boarding Schools Association.
    • Sunday Times South East State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
    • A Level results consistently at 90% A*-B.
    • Over 150 Oxbridge places in the last six years, and a place in the Sutton Trust Top 100 for progression to highly selective universities.
    • A strong pastoral system built around our House structure.
    • The Floreat Student Leadership Programme, developing character across the school.
    • A Strategic Development Plan shaped directly by our values: Excellence, Integrity, Leadership and Community.

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