Reading School
A Welcome From
Our Headmaster
Reading School is a fantastic place to study, work and live, and I’m delighted to welcome you to our website. Our priority is always to put people first. Our focus will always be character. Our mission will always be social impact. Our efforts will always be rooted in relationships.
I hope to welcome you to Reading School someday, whether as a student, a visitor, a parent or a partner. In the meantime, I hope you’ll find information in these pages to inform, inspire and encourage you.
Dr Chris Evans
NEWS & EVENTS
Stay In The Loop
30th October 2025
#RSThrowbackThursday Did you know Reading School once had a School Porter? The School Porter was the title held for many decades by the occupant of the Lodge by the gates at the bottom of the School drive. To the Porter fell all those duties nowadays carried out, amongst others, by the school site staff. The first to hold the post at Erleigh Road was George Stammers, but none served longer than his successor, John Grover, who retired in 1927 after 45 years' service. In that period, 1882–1927, he served four Headmasters: Messrs Walker, Barnard, Eppstein and Keeton. It was said that, "In every one of his multifarious duties Grover never failed in quiet and perfect efficiency." He also took an active part in the life of the School outside his regular duties, singing in the School Choir and, in earlier years, on the cricket field. His unfailing courtesy and tact won the affectionate regard of Masters and boys alike, and in December 1927, he was the guest of honour at the annual dinner of the Old Redingensians' Club, held that year at Palm Lodge, Reading. A presentation was made of a cheque for just under £85, being the total contributed by Old Boys of many generations. John Grover died in 1934 at the age of 76 and his funeral service was held in the School Chapel. Content kindly provided by Ken Brown, ORA Archivist (OR 1955-1963)
28th October 2025
900th Anniversary Gala Dinner – Table Highlights! Exciting news! We're glad to share that a group of Old Redingensians is reserving a whole table to celebrate alongside the students leaving in their year! Why not make it a reunion night by reserving a table for your year group and friends too? It's a fantastic chance to catch up while celebrating Reading School's 900th anniversary and kick off the festive season. We'll also be joined by some beloved former staff, including the ever-popular Ned Holt, Brian Turnbull and Jon Emerson, making this an evening you won't want to miss! Event Highlights: Welcome drinks reception Three-course gala dinner with house wine Live performances from our talented students & Big Band Keynote by Tom Whipple (OR 1993–2000), Science Writer and Special Correspondent at The Times Silent auction & luxury raffle supporting the Beyond 900 Fund Venue: Reading School Date: Saturday 29th November 2025 Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM Tickets: £75 per person Book your tickets now via the link in bio under "Events"! If you are going to book a table, please contact us at events@reading-school.co.uk for assistance. Join friends, fellow parents and Old Redingensians for an elegant evening of celebration, connection and inspiration before the festive season. We look forward to seeing you at the event. #ReadingSchool #ReadingSchool900 #Beyond900 #GalaDinner #WeAreRedingensians
23rd October 2025
Year 7 Music Concert – Tuesday 18 November 2025 Ready to be amazed by the next generation of musicians? Join us for the Year 7 Music Concert an evening where our youngest students take the stage and showcase their incredible progress and passion for music! Under the guidance of Mr O Griffin (Director of Music), our talented Year 7 students will perform pieces they've been working on this term, many on instruments they only began learning recently, including strings, trumpets, trombones and clarinets. Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025 Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM Location: Big School, Reading School Tickets: £6 per person (1 ticket per performer) Book your tickets now via the link in bio under "Events." This event is exclusively for parents of Year 7 students. Performers do not require a ticket. Come and experience the energy, joy and dedication our young musicians bring to the stage! #ReadingSchool #WeAreRedingensians #Beyond900 #ReadingSchool900 #ReadingSchoolMusic #Year7Concert #YoungMusicians #LiveMusic
Celebrating 900 Years
A School With a Difference
“This is your school. You make it great. It’s only a great school if you grow up to be good men doing good things.”
Dr Chris Evans, Headmaster
Bringing together Old Redingensians from across generations, the event offered a rare opportunity to see former students perform live alongside current pupils in a shared celebration of Reading School’s rich musical heritage.
The OR House Music Competition 2025
Reading School’s first-ever Giving Day - a 36-hour fundraising event held in March 2025 - kicked off the 900th Anniversary calendar of special events, uniting the School’s community and raising over £150,000 towards the School’s exciting redevelopment plans.
Giving Day 2025
According to ORA (Old Redingensian Association) Archivist, Mr Ken Brown, Reading School’s House Elocution competition has been running since 1927. In recent times the competition has been adapted to make it more suitable for the 21st Century by turning it into ‘House Eisteddfod’. The student-led House Competition features 40 performances celebrating music, poetry, creative writing, and performance.
House Eisteddfod 2025
KING OF THE HILL
House Points
-
0
Laud
-
0
County
-
0
East
-
0
School
-
0
West