How to Get Into Kendrick School (Reading)

Kendrick School stands as one of the most academically selective girls' grammar schools in England. Located in central Reading, Berkshire, this state-funded selective girls' school is severely oversubscribed with over ten applicants per place. The exceptional competition level, combined with outstanding academic results and university destinations, makes Kendrick a highly sought-after destination for ambitious families across the region.

School Overview: Academic Excellence in Reading

Kendrick School educates 903 students aged 11-18, achieving Outstanding status across all categories in its November 2022 Ofsted inspection. The school has been judged Outstanding in its last five Ofsted inspections, demonstrating sustained excellence over many years.

Academic results position Kendrick among England's elite state schools. At GCSE, 100% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above, with 97.9% completing their main study programme. The school ranked among the top five grammar schools in the UK based on GCSE performance in 2018 and 2019.

University destinations demonstrate Kendrick's exceptional standards. A Sutton Trust report found that 79.4% of students were accepted to the highly selective Sutton Trust 30 universities, with 15.2% gaining admission to Oxford and Cambridge. In 2011, Kendrick was identified as the fifth highest state school for proportion of Oxbridge admissions, and a 2016 report ranked Kendrick among the top 10 state schools for Oxbridge entry.

Beyond academics, Ofsted praised the school's 'first-class education,' and Kendrick serves as a hub school in the Science Leadership Partnership, providing science teaching support to other Reading schools. Students benefit from diverse extracurricular activities including creative arts, business and finance, dance and drama, music, and STEM.

Understanding the Competition: Over 10:1 Application Ratio

Kendrick School is severely oversubscribed, with over ten applicants per place. This makes Kendrick one of the most competitive grammar schools regionally, exceeding even highly selective Buckinghamshire schools. The intense competition means achieving the qualifying score represents only the first hurdle—admission depends heavily on where students rank among all qualifying applicants.

The school admits approximately 128 girls into Year 7 each September, with 96 places allocated to Priority Area 1 and 2 students, and 32 places to students from wider areas. With over 1,280 applications based on the 10:1 ratio, competition for these places is extraordinarily intense.

This level of oversubscription requires families to maintain realistic expectations. Even very bright students with strong preparation may not secure places simply because so many exceptional candidates apply. Understanding this reality helps families prepare strategically and consider applying to multiple selective schools to improve overall chances of securing a grammar school place somewhere.

The Entrance Exam: GL Assessment Format

Children applying to Kendrick School take an 11 Plus exam provided by GL Assessment consisting of two one-hour papers. The exam tests English, mathematics, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning, with all questions in multiple-choice format.

All children's standardised age scores are then put into rank order from highest to lowest, with Kendrick School allocating places based on this list. The age-standardization ensures fairness regardless of birth date within the academic year, but the ranking system means every point matters in this highly competitive environment.

For families targeting Kendrick specifically, students should aim for the highest possible scores during practice. Unlike schools with fixed pass marks, Kendrick's ranking system means there's no specific "safe" score—students simply need to rank higher than other applicants. Consistent practice scores at the 95th percentile or above provide realistic confidence for this level of competition.

Critical Dates and Registration Process for 2026 Entry

The deadline to register for the 11 Plus exam at Kendrick School is Tuesday 1 July 2025, with the exam taking place on Friday 19 September 2025. Registration for the examination opens 1 May 2025, and results are released in mid-October.

Kendrick operates an independent registration system separate from other grammar schools. Parents seeking a Year 7 place must complete both their Local Authority's Common Application Form and submit a distinct application directly to Kendrick School for the 11 Plus admissions test. Missing either deadline disqualifies your application.

After receiving results, parents must complete the Common Application Form by 31 October 2025, naming Kendrick as one of preferred schools. This CAF submission is separate from the initial exam registration and must be completed even after taking the test.

The registration process differs from Buckinghamshire's automatic entry for local schools. All families, regardless of current school location, must actively register through Kendrick's system to secure a test place. 

Priority Area System and Distance-Based Admission

Kendrick School allocates places following specific priority order, with 96 places offered to children living within Priority Area 1 or 2, and 32 additional places offered to students from wider areas.

Priority Area 1 covers postcodes RG1, RG2 0, RG2 6, RG2 7, RG2 8, RG30 1, RG30 2, RG30 3, RG30 4, RG30 6, RG31 4, RG31 5, RG31 6, RG31 7, RG4 5, RG4 6, RG4 7, RG4 8, RG5 3, RG6 1, RG6 5, RG6 6, RG6 7. These Reading-centric postcodes receive the strongest priority for the majority of available places.

Priority Area 2 includes RG2 9, RG4 9, RG5 4, RG6 3, RG6 4, RG7, RG8, RG9, RG10, RG12, RG27 0, RG40, RG41, RG42, RG45, GU17 0, GU46, GU47, SL6 3, SL6 4, SL6 5, SL6 6. These wider Berkshire and surrounding areas receive consideration alongside Priority Area 1 for the first 96 places.

Within each priority area, places are allocated by exam performance ranking. The school also prioritizes children who receive pupil premium or service premium within Priority Areas 1 and 2.

For families outside Priority Areas 1 and 2, admission becomes extremely challenging. Only 32 of the 128 places go to students from wider areas, meaning you're competing for approximately a quarter of available spots while likely facing the full applicant pool of over 1,280 students.

Before investing heavily in Kendrick-specific preparation, honestly assess whether your postcode provides realistic admission chances. Families outside Priority Areas 1 and 2 should consider applying strategically to multiple grammar schools including those with different catchment patterns to improve overall chances of securing a selective school place.

Why Girls Choose Kendrick Over Other Options

Kendrick's central Reading location provides convenience for families living in and around Reading, reducing travel time compared to Buckinghamshire alternatives. The school's reputation as one of the UK's top-performing state schools attracts families seeking the highest academic standards available without private school fees.

The school's exceptional university progression rates, particularly to Oxbridge and Russell Group institutions, appeal to families with ambitious academic goals. The Kendrick community also values the inclusive, supportive environment emphasized in recent Ofsted reports alongside rigorous academics.

However, the extreme competition level means some families find Buckinghamshire schools like Dr Challoner's High School or Wycombe High School more accessible alternatives. While these schools also maintain high standards, their different catchment areas and slightly lower competition ratios may improve admission chances for families living in certain locations.

Preparation Timeline and Strategy

Effective preparation for Kendrick School demands early planning given the intense competition. The timeline below structures preparation for maximum effectiveness.

Year 4 represents the foundation-building phase. Encourage daily reading of varied fiction and non-fiction to build vocabulary naturally. Engage in word games, puzzles, and logic problems developing reasoning skills playfully. Ensure arithmetic skills remain strong through regular practice. Explore extracurricular activities that develop resilience and time management.

Year 5 September through December introduces 11 Plus question formats gradually using GL Assessment familiarization materials. Begin with untimed practice building understanding before introducing time pressure. Focus on all four components—English, maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning—building balanced competence across all areas.

Year 5 January through July represents intensive skill-building. Complete full practice papers weekly under timed conditions. Analyze errors thoroughly, maintaining an error log tracking commonly made mistakes. Dedicate approximately 7-10 hours weekly to preparation including 11 Plus tuition sessions and independent practice. Summer holidays provide invaluable opportunities for accelerated progress through intensive courses.

Year 6 September requires delicate balance maintaining sharpness without burnout. Complete 2-3 full practice papers under strict exam conditions building test day familiarity. Review accumulated error logs ensuring commonly made mistakes are fresh in mind. Ensure adequate rest and maintained routines—a well-rested child outperforms an exhausted one regardless of practice volume.

Given Kendrick's ranking system rather than fixed pass marks, preparation should emphasize achieving the highest possible scores rather than targeting a specific threshold. Working with GL Assessment tutors who understand Kendrick's exceptional standards helps calibrate preparation intensity appropriately.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Some families underestimate Kendrick's competition level, assuming their daughter's strong school performance ensures admission. The over 10:1 ratio means even exceptional students compete against similarly high-achieving peers. Intensive, expert-led preparation becomes essential rather than optional.

Families sometimes focus preparation too narrowly, assuming strength in one area compensates for weakness in others. Kendrick's balanced GL Assessment format and ranking system mean comprehensive competence across all four tested areas is essential. Significant weakness in any component undermines overall ranking position.

Some families delay considering alternative schools, investing exclusively in Kendrick preparation without acknowledging the realistic possibility of not securing a place due to competition volume. Strategic applications to multiple grammar schools with varying competition levels and catchment patterns provides important insurance.

Finally, families occasionally miss registration deadlines, particularly the separate Kendrick-specific registration distinct from CAF submission. Set multiple calendar reminders for both the May registration opening and July deadline to ensure your daughter secures a test place.

Taking Your Next Step

Securing a Kendrick School place represents one of the most competitive selective school admissions challenges regionally. The exceptional standards, intense competition, and ranking-based allocation system demand strategic, expert-led preparation.

We specialize in preparing students for highly competitive grammar schools including Kendrick. Our tutors understand GL Assessment format requirements, the exceptional score levels needed for realistic Kendrick admission chances, and how to develop both knowledge and exam techniques that maximize performance under pressure.

We offer comprehensive diagnostic assessments evaluating your daughter's current readiness across all exam components. This assessment identifies specific strengths and weaknesses, provides realistic feedback about current ranking potential, creates personalized preparation timelines, and offers honest guidance about whether Kendrick represents a realistic target or whether broadening applications makes strategic sense.

Book your consultation today through our tuition centre to create a targeted Kendrick School admission strategy. Understanding exact requirements and creating personalized plans dramatically improves success chances in this exceptionally competitive environment.