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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". 

     

    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 - FRIDAY4TH JULY 2026

    Please click here for previous weekly updates.

    WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 3RD JULY 2026

    Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher

    Such a busy week at Kendrick full of creativity and enrichment!

    New on the website this week are the following articles:

    In addition, there have been several school events: 

    • Sixth Form Parent Information event on UCAS – a presentation has been sent to parents
    • Creative Arts Festival Showcase on Wednesday evening featuring a variety of accomplishments and talents of students including dancing, singing, drama, clay work, painting, textiles projects  
    • Heritage Day: celebrating the variety and diversity of heritage and culture there is at Kendrick
    • Senior Music Festival at the Hexagon where school choirs from in and around Reading, including Kendrick, gathered to sing in a mass choir
    • Debate between A Level French students at Kendrick and Reading School
    • Visit by 60 Year 3 children from Katesgrove Primary School for a Music Workshop

    There is more to come with the Summer Fair tomorrow, Saturday 4th July. This should be a lovely occasion as the weather is fine and several students have volunteered to run stalls and take part. There is also the Summer Concert next Thursday 9th July at 6.30.pm with still more super-curricular events to follow in the final week of term. All these events and occasions demonstrate again the variety and breadth of what is available to students at Kendrick to enrich and extend their personal growth and development.

    While the students have been at home today, staff have been busy at school fulfilling the training element of our work. Several staff have undertaken statuary training, including First Aid, as well as training in other areas of compliance. Teachers received some training on the use of AI in teaching and how harnessing and utilising some platforms can be helpful and assist teachers in their work, speeding up processes in planning, preparation and marking. We also received guidance required for UCAS mentors who will support Year 13 students writing UCAS applications. Staff also heard from me and Mr Simmonds about the school and what we have completed and achieved this year, as well as what there is to come next year under the new leadership arrangements. I know Mr Simmonds is keen to engage with parents early in September and I hope parents will respond enthusiastically to him with some of the great ideas he has to take the school forward.

    I hope students had a good day today enjoying the sunshine and we look forward to seeing them on Monday.

    Ms Christine Kattirtzi
    Headteacher

    School Notices

    Profiling Day – Wednesday 8th July

    Please see the emails sent to you regarding the arrangements for Profiling Day on Wednesday 8th July.

    Year 7, 8 and 9 – in school as normal

    Year 10 – work at home, registering at 8.25am and completing work set for them.

    Year 12 – in school morning or afternoon

    Episode 4 – Staying Safe over the Summer

    We are pleased to announce that Episode 4 -Staying Safe over the Summer our fourth episode in the Kendrick School Webinar Series, is now live. 

    This series aims to inform, support, and strengthen understanding between students, school, and parents by exploring shared perspectives and addressing topics that can sometimes feel challenging. Our hope is that these webinars will foster greater insight, mutual support, and more open dialogue within our school community. The webinars will run throughout the course of the year, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes, allowing families to engage with the content in a flexible and accessible way. 

    A reminder that these links can be accessed at any time through either this link or through our school website. 

    We hope you find this webinar informative and engaging. Should you have any feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at shyde@kendrick.reading.sch.uk

    Kendrick School Summer Concert, Thursday 9th July 2026

    Our Summer Concert will feature a range of songs from Carnatic Vocal Ensemble and Chamber Choir, with instrumental music from films and musicals and more. All of the school’s main ensembles will perform, including Wind Orchestra, Jazz Band and all of Year 9 singing as a choir. Furthermore, our staff band, No Direction will be joining forces with Mass Choir to entertain you whilst we also welcome our new beginner Brass Ensemble too. Additionally, this will be Ms Kattirtzi’s final concert at Kendrick and it would be wonderful to fill the audience to show our gratitude to her on this momentous occasion. We expect the concert to finish at approximately 8.45pm.

    Please note that refreshments, including our famous samosas, will be available from KPS before the concert.

    Please may we remind you that no parking is available on the school site unless you have a disability. If this is the case, please contact Reception.

    Tickets: Our Summer concert tends to sell out quickly and tickets will be going on sale from Friday 26th June 4 p.m. Tickets will NOT be available before this time, and you will receive an error message if you click the link. We therefore urge you to order them via the link below as soon as possible through Evolve Shop, once open, in order to avoid disappointment. Tickets cost £5.00. In the first instance, tickets will be restricted to five per family. We politely ask for you not to leave ticket requests or queries until the day of the concert.

    https://evolve.edufocus.co.uk/shop/shop_item_public.asp?site=rbcvisits&estab=3359&id=6819

    Please note that no printed tickets will be provided, but you must present proof of purchase e.g. an EVOLVE receipt on a mobile phone. This will be checked on the door when arriving at the School Hall. There may be some tickets available on the door, but this can’t be guaranteed.

    We look forward to seeing many of you at the concert.

    School Meals Increase

    From 2nd November 2026, the cost of a school meal will increase to £3.03.

    Dr Bike – Free Bike Check Ups

    Dr Bike is touring around Reading to give people the opportunity to drop by with their cycles for a free check-up close to home.

    The community sessions happening around Reading this week are ideal for families and young people wanting to use their bikes to get around Reading quickly and cheaply.

    Experienced mechanics from Avanti Cycling will be on hand to carry out minor repairs to bicycles, provide safety tips and advice on looking after your bike.

    The free sessions are part of the Council’s aim to encourage cycling and walking in the borough to help reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and benefit the health and wellbeing of Reading residents.

    The Dr Bike roadshow will be calling in at the following locations:

    • Dee Space Community Centre – Tuesday 30 June, 4-6.30pm
    • Coley Park Community Centre – Wednesday 1 July, 4-6.30pm
    • Broad Street, outside Sainsbury’s, town centre – Thursday 2 July, 11am-2pm
    • Hexham Road Community Centre – Thursday 2 July, 4-6.30pm
    • Southcote Library – Friday 3 July, 4-6.30pm

    Safeguarding

    Safeguarding at Kendrick School
    Staying Safe over the Summer We are pleased to announce that Episode 4 -Staying Safe over the Summer our fourth episode in the Kendrick School Webinar Series, is now live. 

    This series aims to inform, support, and strengthen understanding between students, school, and parents by exploring shared perspectives and addressing topics that can sometimes feel challenging. Our hope is that these webinars will foster greater insight, mutual support, and more open dialogue within our school community. The webinars will run throughout the course of the year, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes, allowing families to engage with the content in a flexible and accessible way. 

    A reminder that these links can be accessed at any time through either this link or through our school website. 

    We hope you find this webinar informative and engaging. Should you have any feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at shyde@kendrick.reading.sch.uk.

    Mental Health and Wellbeing
    Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
    Summer Holiday Wellbeing Tips As we head towards the summer holidays, it is a good time to start to think about your summer holiday wellbeing. Sometimes the long holidays can be a bit disorientating or overwhelming, as weeks without routine or purpose stretch out ahead. Have a look at these five top tips to help you boost your summer holiday wellbeing.

    SEND

    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. 

    Latest News on our Website

    School Calendar

    Week commencing 6th July 2026 – Week B
    Tuesday 7th July                KPS Meeting Online, 6pm – 7.15pm
    Wednesday 8th July         Profiling Day
    Thursday 9th July               Trustee Board Meeting, 4.30pm; Summer Concert, 6.30pm

    Student Careers and Work Experience

    Current Opportunities

    Vacancies

    No current vacancies

    ParentPay and Evolve Reminders

    Latest Reminders for ParentPay and Evolve

    Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)

    Weekly News – Friday 4th July 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