Welcome
Ofsted report November 2022 "The Kendrick Pledge emphasises friendship, kindness, respect, equality, tolerance and justice, and these values underpin all that the school achieves. Pupils flourish in this exceptionally caring and inclusive learning environment. Secure, trusting relationships between staff and pupils ensure pupils feel very well supported and safe here. In turn, pupils’ excellent behaviour and impeccable manners make Kendrick a very special place to be".
To listen to an audio with staff and students talking about Kendrick's history, life at school and what the school means to us all, please click on the link below.
Kendrick Voices
Kendrick School is an 11-18 selective girls’ school with academy status. It has a local and national reputation as an outstanding school and has an impressive record of achievement as a centre of excellence for girls’ education.
In its last five OFSTED inspections, Kendrick was judged an “outstanding” school. In our most recent inspection in November 2022, OFSTED stated "Pupils and sixth-formers are justly proud of their school community. They delight in their learning and truly excel here. One parent spoke for many when reflecting, ‘The school does a great job of creating well-rounded, kind, human beings who will hopefully go on to make the world a better place. The academic results are important, of course, but far from the only focus.’ Inspectors totally agree.
Kendrick is a forward-looking school that grasps the opportunities that present themselves. A love of learning is at the heart of Kendrick with a strong emphasis on high-quality teaching. The curriculum is organised to meet the needs of all students and is engaging, rich and ambitious. All staff are hardworking and dedicated; students are bright, enthusiastic and curious; they love being at their school.
At Kendrick, students enjoy a rich and varied extracurricular education. The House System provides opportunities for healthy competition with numerous annual house events, which are key activities in the school year. Kendrick Student Leaders work energetically and collaboratively with staff to support this vital community element of the school. In addition, we have a School Council, which discusses and drives change for students.
Safeguarding and students’ mental health and wellbeing are prioritised above all else. As stated by Ofsted in November 2022, ‘The arrangements for Safeguarding are effective at Kendrick’ and ‘there is a culture of vigilance’ where ‘staff care deeply about pupils’ wellbeing’.
As part of Kendrick’s Widening Horizons strategic initiative, we actively pursue partnerships with schools and businesses in our local area and beyond. These associations benefit the students of Kendrick, as well as those in neighbouring schools. We share our good practice and offer opportunities to work with primary and secondary schools in the Reading area.
Kendrick has expanded in recent years, a process that started in September 2020 and finished in September 2024 when an additional 32 students joined Kendrick in all year groups making Kendrick a four-form entry school for Years 7-11. This year the majority of the 128 students from Year 11 have moved into our sixth form, and we have welcomed an additional 40 students from other schools, making the whole school roll, 940 students, the largest the school has ever been. In our admission arrangements and policies, priority is given to pupil premium students and students living in the Reading area, which is called Priority Area 1. Our Widening Horizons initiative commits us to achieving greater participation and access for students from local primary schools and the local area. In July 2024 and again in July 2025, we were awarded the Sutton Trust Fair School Admissions Award at Gold level. This demonstrates our commitment to fair admissions and is a great accolade for the school to receive which we are immensely proud of.
As the Headteacher of Kendrick, it is my vision to lead, inspire and make a difference to the lives of girls and young women. I believe passionately in girls’ education and know that Kendrick School affords its students the very best education there is.
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
September 2025
Weekly UPDATE - FRIDAY 16th January 2026
Please click here for previous weekly updates.
Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher
A new year is a time for resolutions, and one hears many people deciding to set themselves resolutions about how they will go through the year ahead: more exercise, eat more healthily, spend more time with family and friends, less time scrolling, take up a new interest/hobby, be a better person, etc. Whatever the resolution, it always comes with some pressure to achieve and then disappointment when before the month is out the resolutions have been abandoned! Of course, for some people resolutions, goals and all kinds of target setting can be motivating and meaningful and can work well. For Kendrick students, I hope their resolutions for the year include the expectations we set them at the start of the academic year to endeavour to be the best version of themselves. To be focused on their work relative to the stage they are in, to understand and adhere to the Kendrick Pledge and the behaviour expectations we have of them and always to be kind and respectful to their friends, family and the staff of the school, and to try to do good things for their community.
The Kendrick Student Leaders (KSL) have sent messages to the whole school community this week outlining their plans for the next two terms. Their term of office finishes at the end of Term 4 and soon we will be opening nominations and voting for the new team. As members of Year 13, they, and the rest of the Year 13 cohort, are also working very hard on their A Levels with many of them now beginning to receive university offers. This is providing even more focus on their studies as the required grades for a chosen course are being confirmed. At our Trustee Learning and Teaching Committee last night we examined students’ data from the November reports. For the exam cohorts, both at A Level and GCSE, we are looking optimistically at what the students will achieve in the public examinations this summer. Year 11 students who have just completed their Mock examinations have been very impressive this year. Their approach and conduct in their mocks have been exemplary and we are all very pleased with their efforts. Well done Year 11.
I have started to give the assembly that I always do at this time of the year about the Grants and Awards that are available to students across the school. Please look at the information and the deadlines for applications. Every year many students can benefit from a grant, sometimes up to £500, that enables them to pursue an interest or community project that they would otherwise not be able to do.
On the website this week is an article about the A Level Sociology conference attended by sixth form students last term, a most interesting and relevant study day for them. Thank you to Mr Nemeth and Mrs Calcutt-John, Head of Sociology and Sociology teacher respectively who organised and led the trip.
Finally, I am sure we have all heard about the political developments in Iran this week and the communication blackout there has been as the government has cracked down on protesters. I know that we have families in school who have relatives in Iran and who are of course very worried about their safety in these unsettled and troubling times. We know that news of this nature influences young people, our students, as they too are aware of the worry and anxiety their parents and family members are going through. Whilst we cannot affect any change to these places in the world where conflict and strife exist, we hope that responsible leaders everywhere can work together to find solutions to these conflicts for the sake of the ordinary people who wish to live their life peaceably and without fear.
Wishing everyone a good weekend.
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
School Notices
KPS Own Clothes Day – Thursday 22nd January. More details to follow next week. Students to ensure they follow the non-uniform guidelines on our website.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Kendrick School
Changes to Roblox age verification – everything parents need to know (BBC Bitesize)
Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
BBC Bitesize – Screen Time and Resilience: A psychologist’s guide
You are not alone drop in for February. A free monthly online drop-in for parents and carers.
School Fund
Please donate to our School Fund here. You can make one-off payments through your ParentPay account or complete a standing order form for more regular payments. If you are a UK taxpayer, please ensure you also complete a Gift Aid Form.
A school fund is maintained by voluntary contributions from the parents/carers of students. Its purpose is to provide an additional source of funding for the provision of facilities and educational resources for the benefit of students. We use our School Fund to support so many activities in and out of school that have now become essential to school life.
Canteen
The menu for Autumn/Winter can be found here. The menu is subject to change dependent on food availability. Please ensure that you regularly check your child's canteen balance on their ParentPay account and settle any 'overdrafts' quickly. Overdrafts should only be issued on an exceptional basis and not as a regular occurrence.
Week commencing 19th January - Week B
Year 11 Mocks
- Tuesday 20th January – Year 12 Parents’ Consultation; KPS Meeting, 6-7.15pm (online)
- Thursday 22nd January – GCSE and A Level Art Trip; KPS Own Clothes Day; KPS Year 7 Online Drop in with Ms Kattirtzi
Student Careers and Work Experience
Mathematics Teacher to cover a maternity leave for September 2026. Closing date for applications: 9am Thursday 29th January 2026.
ParentPay and Evolve Reminders
Reminders on Friday 16th January 2026
Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)
Weekly News – Friday 16th January 2026
Letter from Mr Charles Ramsden, Chair of the Board of Trustees
On behalf of the trustee body, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 academic year. I particularly welcome students joining us for the first time who will get the support they need to settle in quickly and make a positive contribution to the school.
As trustees, we are responsible for working with Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team to agree on the strategic direction of Kendrick. We assist with setting the school's vision, aims and objectives. To do this, we are organised into three committees – Learning & Teaching, Performance and Review, and Resources. Each of these committees meets regularly, and we meet as a full board three times a year. All the trustees are committed to supporting the ethos of the school, and many have direct experience of the school – as a student, the parent of a student or as a staff member.
We want to ensure that every student at Kendrick has the opportunity to thrive – academically, as a member of the school community, and in their personal development. Kendrick has something for everyone: a huge range of extracurricular activities including music, sports, and drama; opportunities to show leadership, as part of the School Council or the Student Leadership Team; and, of course, the chance to help others.
I do hope that you will take advantage of the opportunities to engage with the school. We are always keen to get your feedback, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am always happy to hear from any of you. Please feel free to contact Lisa Hillan, Governance Officer to the Trustee Board lhillan@kendrick.reading.sch.uk if you would like to get in touch.
On behalf of the trustees, I wish everyone a successful year ahead.
With best wishes
Charles Ramsden
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
September 2025