The Governing Body has agreed its policies for 2026 entry.  The policies are published below:

• Year 7 Admissions Policy for 2026 Entry for Day Applicants
• Year 7 Admissions Policy for 2026 Entry for Boarding Applicants
• Reasonable Adjustments Policy
• Suitability for Boarding Form (to be completed and sent with the relevant application form if you are applying for a boarding place only)

The on-line entrance test registration form for 2026 entry was available from Tuesday 1st April to midday on Friday 13th June 2025.

The on-line registration form for 2026 entry is now closed. 

If you feel you have an exceptional reason as to why you could not make an application between 1st April and 13th June 2025, please contact: admissions@reading-school.co.uk.  

Number of Places Available

For entry, there will be 150 places in total comprising of 12 boarders (maximum) and 138 day-boys (minimum). Parents should appreciate that not all boys who are deemed suitable for a place at Reading School can be accommodated, as there are many more applications than places available.

To view our Year 7 admissions guide please click on the following link:

Year 7 Admissions Guide for September 2026 Entry

For boarding fees 2024-2025, please click here.

Key Dates for Entry to Year 7 2026

• Online registration form available on school website - 1st April 2025
• Open Day - 1st April 2025 -  Booking required with details available in the Open Day section 
• Closing date for receipt of applications at Reading School - Midday on Friday 13th June 2025
• Sporting Aptitude Assessment - Tuesday 2nd September 2025
• Test date for SEN applicants -Thursday 4th September 2025
• Testing date for Day and Boarding applicants - Friday 5th September 2025 
• Test date for Day applicants outside of catchment - Friday 26th September 2025
• Results will be available online mid October 2025
• Deadline for submitting application form (CAF) to home LA - 31st October 2025
• Offer Date from your Local Authority - 2nd March 2026

Nature of Tests

Familiarisation Booklet for Entry into Year 7

Discover your ‘Future Story’ at a school for every high attaining student!

Reading School is a state school that provides an exceptional and free education to high attaining students from all backgrounds. Our purpose is to enable all of our students, regardless of background, to thrive on highly selective courses at elite universities and to be happy and successful in their future careers. We help to improve opportunities and life-chances for individuals and communities. As a result, we aim for our admissions process to be as open and accessible as possible.

Future Stories Programme

We are committed to supporting students who meet the eligibility in Categories 1 and 2 of our admissions policy, to be happy and confident when taking the 11+ test. Those who meet the criteria can expect the following from us:

Online Familiarisation Materials: We provide at least 10 hours of familiarisation materials via our online platform. We are able to review children’s progress and provide feedback to aid confidence in taking the actual test.

Familiarisation sessions at Reading School: Our Year 12 students run sessions in Mathematics and English for primary school aged children. We believe that children will be inspired by the intellectual challenge and exciting atmosphere of these sessions.  They will be fun and a great learning experience for children regardless of whether they have considered Reading School as a future secondary school. They will have access to resources that we feel will support your child. Parents/Guardians are most welcome to join us at the final session and we will provide a tour and answer any questions you may have about the school and the admissions process.

Year 7 Admissions

Admission to Reading School is primarily based on an entrance test and we want every student to feel confident and happy that they should take this test. Applicants in receipt of Pupil Premium, or who are looked after or previously looked after, are prioritised when offers of places at the school are made. In effect, a lower contextual entrance mark is required.

Primary School Partnerships

Our admissions test is based on the Key Stage 2 primary school curriculum for English, Mathematics and  other subjects including the Year 5 programme of study.  We offer free sessions to primary schools in these subjects to help students to reach the higher level of attainment at Key Stage 2.

In addition, we offer primary school extended support programmes for eligible children in Years 4 to 6, including enrichment activities, mentoring and 11+ familiarisation.

If you would like to know more and would also like to work with us in any of the activities mentioned above, please do not hesitate to contact us at admissions@reading-school.co.uk.  

Financial Support - The Reading School Promise 

We know that parents may worry about the cost of sending their child to school and we want to take that worry away. 

If your child is currently eligible, a free school meal will be provided.  In addition, for any student offered a place at Reading School, who is eligible for pupil premium we will provide:

1. Confidentiality: about financial arrangements with regards to your son. Assistance is given automatically with the minimum of fuss so that no family can be identified as receiving support.

2. Support with uniform costs in the form of PE kit up to the value of £100 supplied by Reading School and £100 of vouchers towards the purchase of compulsory uniform from Stephenson’s at the start of Year 7.

3. Additional support of up to £200 for uniform related expenses at the start of Year 9; claimed back via the Reading Promise form.

4. Access to a ‘fee free’ locker: allocated before the start of each academic year.

5. Free essential equipment for lessons: provided for students before they start Year 7, including free laboratory coats and goggles for science.

6. Free essential school trips: The school will fund Belonging Week trips for all students in Years 7-10, up to £200 per annum. Other trips may be subsidised.

7. A grant of up to £500: towards one International trip in each Key Stage, during Years 7 – 11. Additional funds may also be available through the Reading Foundation subject to assessment.

8. In Years 7&8 there will be the opportunity to take part in a program of instrumental lessons funded by the school and offered to all students.

9. Additional discretionary support may be available, with the Headmaster’s approval. Please contact Mr T.Evans for a confidential conversation as required.

Reading School is one of the highest performing school in the region, and we are dedicated to supporting your future. If you have any questions regarding the admissions process, please do contact the admissions team at admissions@reading-school.co.uk.  

NB Category 1 and 2 of the Admissions Policies 

1. Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children, including those children who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted, who are on the eligible list.

2. Children currently registered as eligible for free school meals and children who have been registered as eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years; and children whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are serving in the regular UK armed forces, to the children of regular armed forces personnel who were serving in the past 3 years, or to children who are in receipt of a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and the War Pensions Scheme because their parent(s)/guardian(s) died on active service with the UK armed forces