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".
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Kendrick School.
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 been expanding over the last three years, a process that started in September 2020 when an additional 32 students joined the school in Year 7. This year we welcomed the last of the expanded cohorts into Year 7, which completes the expansion, making Kendrick a four-form entry school for Years 7-11. In the admission process, 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. In July 2024, we were awarded the Sutton Trust Fair School Admissions Award at Gold level. This is a great accolade for the school which we are very 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 2024
Weekly letter from ms kattirtzi, headteacher
FRIDAY 13TH JUNE 2025
Although a relatively quiet week with only Year 7, 8 and 9 students in school, I know that our Year 10 students have enjoyed the Language trips that they are taking part in this week in Germany and France. Having received regular reports from staff accompanying the trips, I am assured that all has gone well and that the students have had a great time being together, exploring these countries to help improve their language skills and knowledge of people and culture, as well as having a great time being with their friends. These experiences are so important in the life and education of children as they create the memories that all of us have and remember in adulthood and look back on with great fondness. For some students they may also help them decide what they want to do for their future, even where they might like to live and work. At the same time, Year 12 students have been on Work Experience this week, a huge logistical exercise that we have undertaken with our consultants Learning to Work which has placed over 140 students in a place of work this week. As with Year 10, I hope the experiences that they have had this week will help them in thinking about what they want to do in the future, including showing them the different working environments that exist and where they see themselves and feel most comfortable with.
Elsewhere we have been showing our strengths in other subject areas and once again I will mention Music where we have been identified as being a Leading School for Music by the Berkshire Music Trust. Please see link here. My thanks to Mrs Cooper, Head of Music and the Music Department for what they have done and continue to do to make music so vibrant and such an important part of school life. As I mentioned last week there are some key events in July where we will be showcasing music again, as well as the creative arts, which will feature at the Creative Arts Festival on 30th June. Please see the calendar of events in the Weekly Update for more information. We have also shared the musical talent we have at Kendrick with some of our local schools and recently Mr Hodge, Head of Science, with some Year 12 students, led a percussion workshop at Kendrick for children from some local primary schools. You can see from the photograph in the link how much fun they all had playing bongo drums, which they did so enthusiastically!
A visit to The Globe last term was another wonderful opportunity and experience for Year 10 GCSE Drama students. Please read the article here.
We were all shocked yesterday to hear the news of a plane crash in India and I am relieved that no one has informed us of being directly or indirectly affected by the crash. I am sure this weekend communities all over the country and the world, will be thinking of the victims whose lives were prematurely cut short yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who have lost a loved one by this tragic event.
Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend.
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
For the Weekly Update in full please click here
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 2024-2025 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.
I have recently taken over as Chair of the trustee board (formerly the governing body) and would like to thank my predecessor, Keith Miller, for the support he has given to Kendrick.
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 Jackie Gray, Clerk to the Trustee Board jgray@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 2024