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 5TH JUNE 2026
Please click here for previous weekly updates.
WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 5th JUNE 2026
Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher
Welcome back and I hope everyone has had a good half term break.
It doesn’t seem possible that we are now in the final term of the academic year and for me the final term of my teaching career. There are just a few weeks to go but so much to do. We ended last term welcoming the return of Year 8 from a residential trip which I have been told was great fun and enjoyed by all. This term other year groups will have the opportunity to go on trips and take part in activities which have been long awaited. Next week our Modern Foreign Language staff and colleagues will be taking Year 10 students on a week-long trip to France and Germany to practise and immerse themselves in the language and culture of these two countries. We are very proud that all students enthusiastically study a Modern Foreign Language at GCSE, so this trip is of great importance in their studies. It is also an opportunity for the students to be away from home staying with their friends or host families and having to adapt to a different routine in different surroundings, which is a good experience and extension of their life skills. I spoke to the Year 10 students this week reminding them of their responsibility as representatives of Kendrick School when they are away and the high standards we expect of them. I know I will not be disappointed and in fact I am sure I will be impressed by them when they return as their language skills and confidence will have been enhanced. I am always grateful to the willingness and commitment of Kendrick staff who volunteer to take these trips, which require their own time, away from home and their families, taking care and responsibility for the students. I am sure students and parents also appreciate and acknowledge the experiences their children can have at Kendrick School.
Over the holiday, the much-anticipated IT equipment has been installed. I am delighted to say that 3 Inter Active White Boards and 3 LED screens are now up and in use in sixth form classrooms, the Library, Technology Room, and Dance Studio. This equipment which cost more than £8k was money raised by KPS in the recent raffle. Many thanks to KPS. Never slow to get on with their next project, KPS members are now planning the next event which is the Summer Fair on Saturday 4th July. Members of our Community Committee of Student Leaders had a meeting this week with KPS parents to start the planning of the fair. More information on this from KPS will follow.
On the website are some super articles with many more to follow. Please read.
- Gene and Cell Therapy Engagement Day
- Widening Horizons in School event
- Student success in a German Essay competition
A big initiative for next week is Earth Week. Working with Mrs Kaur, the Eco Committee has organised a super range of fun activities for students to get involved in. At the same time our Pride activities have been planned for the month of June beginning this Friday and every Friday in the month. Music activities and concerts are also planned for later in the term, as well as sports events and educational trips.
We are about halfway through the public exam season, and some students have taken many papers, others have quite a few to go. As I have said before, this period of exams for our young people can be very stressful and tiring. My thanks to the students for their resilience and strength in the way they have conducted themselves so far, planning, preparing, and managing this period. And of course, all the staff including the Exams Team, invigilators, teachers, and staff who ensure that everyone is where they need to be every morning and afternoon, showing care and sensitivity to the students. I am sure the same support and encouragement is happening at home, so thank you to parents too. Internal exams for Year 10 finished before half term and today a week of Year 12 exams finish. Well done to those students for their work and efforts at this stage in their courses. Next week our Year 12 students will be on a week of work experience, we wish them well.
I am sure many of us enjoyed the very warm and sunny weather over the holiday. Sadly, as we know 13 young people, aged 11-17 across the country went swimming in rivers and lakes with devastating consequences. This is a tragedy for those families and such a great loss of young lives. All schools have been asked to bring to parents and young people’s attention a letter from the RBFRS – Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which contains important safety guidance and advice. Please read and discuss the letter with your child. Link to the letter here.
Finally, yesterday an email was sent to you regarding an update on the Headteacher arrangements for next year. Charles Ramsden, Chair of the Board of Trustees, informed you that Mr Simmonds, Deputy Headteacher will take on the role of Headteacher for the next academic year. Working with him will be Dr Perry, Assistant Headteacher, who will take on the role of Deputy Headteacher for the same period. I am delighted with these arrangements and confident that the school will be in safe and capable hands. Other changes in roles and responsibilities within the SLT will be communicated to you in due course.
Wishing everyone a pleasant weekend.
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
School Notices
Headteacher Recruitment Update – Message from the Chair of Trustees
Dear Parents, Carers and Students
I am writing to update you all on our plans to recruit a new headteacher.
I wrote to you last month informing you that the Trustee Board had decided not to appoint a new headteacher to replace Ms Kattirtzi as soon as she leaves. I explained that instead we had decided to ask Mr Simmonds, the Deputy Headteacher, to fill the position for four months until December 2026 to give us time to ensure that we secure the best possible head for Kendrick.
We have since given this further consideration and have decided that it would be in the best interests for the school for Mr Simmonds to carry out the headteacher role for a full 12 months, rather than a shorter period. We believe that this will provide greater certainty and continuity for the school. Mr Simmonds has agreed to this new arrangement and I am most grateful to Mr Simmonds and the other members of staff who will be affected by this change.
In addition, to work with Mr Simmonds, I have asked Dr Perry, Assistant Headteacher, to take on the role of Deputy Headteacher for the full 12 months which she has agreed to.
The Trustee Board has full confidence in Mr Simmonds and Dr Perry taking on these roles next year.
Ms Kattirtzi will of course continue to lead the school until the end of the academic year.
Kind regards
Charles Ramsden, Chair of the Trustee Board
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Kendrick School
Water Safety Advice: Please see the letter here from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Links in the letter are:
https://www.rlss.org.uk/Pages/Category/water-safety-information
https://rnli.org/safety
https://www.rbfrs.co.uk/your-safety/water-safety/
Please read this information carefully and talk about the risks of swimming or playing in open water with your child.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Books and Reading. Source: Anna Freud. Reading (or bibliotherapy) has been a source of comfort for lots of people for a long time. Click here to find out how some people use it to help when they are struggling with their emotions.
Reading’s SEND Local Offer. The SEND Local Offer is here to help you find information about local services, support, activities and events for children and young people aged 0 - 25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
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 Spring/Summer menu can be found here. 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.
Gene and Cell Therapy Engagement Day
Widening Horizons in School event
Student success in a German Essay competition
Week commencing 8th June 2026 – Week B
Public exams
Year 10 MFL Trip
Year 12 Work Experience
Tuesday 9th June KPS Meeting, 6pm-7.15pm
Thursday 11th June Trustees Resources Meeting, 4.30pm
Student Careers and Work Experience
Science Technicians. Full and part-time hours considered. Interviewing Thursday 11th June.
ParentPay and Evolve Reminders
Latest Reminders for ParentPay and Evolve
Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)
Weekly News – Friday 5th June 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