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    • 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 11TH JULY 2025

    What a busy week again. On the academic front, all students received their report data this week and had good discussions with their subject teachers in Year 12 and all students had conversations with their Tutor. The purpose of this last of the three profiling sessions for the year is to look at and understand the progress, effort, attitude to learning and attainment of each student. The discussions are part of a one-to-one meeting with the Tutor so that those reflections can be carefully considered and students are able to share with their tutor how they feel their year has gone, what they are proud of and what they can try to develop or improve upon next year. As I have said before these three days across the year are a vital part to all students’ learning and assessment and enables them to be heard, as well as guided, by their key trusted adult at school. Reports will be received by parents next week and I hope they are greeted positively by parents and where there is room for improvement, parents please discuss with your child how they can begin to make some changes in the new academic year. To support their learning and prepare for next year, students in Years 7-10 have been informed of their new Tutor, Tutor groups, and Tutor basis to support the transition and ease any anxiety or worry they may have about moving to the next stage of school and what to expect when they return in September. Many students may have a new teacher next year as there will be new staff joining us in September as a few staff are leaving us this year. I will mention these colleagues next week when we say our final goodbyes.

    A particular academic focus for Year 12 this week has been their Futures Week. A full programme of activities was organised by the sixth form team, including discussions between Year 12 students and former students who are currently at university and who linked in with students in online meetings to share their experiences of university life and studies. This was followed by a most detailed and comprehensive information evening for parents last night about the university applications process, UCAS. For some parents this is their first encounter with applications to university so they may be feeling a bit worried and overwhelmed about the mass of information and as well as misinformation in this area, but all parents need to know that the expertise at Kendrick regarding university applications and or degree apprenticeships is second to none. Led by Mr Wilson, Deputy Head of Sixth Form and Mrs Hearn Head of Sixth Form, the expertise and knowledge they and others in the school have should make all parents and students feel confident that their applications to university this autumn will be handled carefully and thoroughly, and we ask parents and students to trust us in this process.

    On the website are some lovely articles of the events that have taken place. Please read them and celebrate the success of these students and our school.

    There is more to come today with our Festival of Celebration of Black Heritage culture, music, food, dress, history etc. Displays in the Hall have been set up and at lunch time the celebrations will feature a catwalk and display of ethnic dress, speciality foods to taste, music and lots more. This event is a culmination of our racial literacy work which we embarked on earlier in the year. My thanks to the students and staff for their energetic enthusiasm in this initiative and particular thanks to Mrs Hearn, Mrs Obeng, Miss Campbell, Miss Mendel and Mrs Goodings for their planning and organisation of today’s event.

    Next week the last week of term we will have a focus on sports for all students, the Kendrick Talent Show, a whole year academic trip for Year 7 students to a Hindu Temple and at lunchtime a Wellbeing Fair on the last day of term . My thanks to all the staff and everyone organising and leading these events.

    Last but by no means least, tomorrow is the Kendrick Parents’ Society Summer Fair, the last of the fun fundraisers KPS is putting on this year. The event is in the school hall between 11.00am-3.00pm. Many parents and staff have worked so hard to plan and organise this event, so please may I ask everyone to support the event and come along and enjoy the stalls and spend some time and money supporting the school. It should be a lovely day.

    Best wishes for the weekend. Please read further into the update for important information on safeguarding and summer activities for young people.

    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