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 19TH JUNE 2026
Please click here for previous weekly updates.
WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 19th JUNE 2026
Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher
This week we welcomed the return of our Year 10 students and staff from the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) trips to France and Germany and the Year 12 students from their Work Experience placements. It is lovely to have everyone back in school and to see the lively activities and plans that everyone is looking forward to in the next few weeks. Speaking to the leaders of the Language trips, Frau Mueller, Mme Harding and Mme Hulley, I have been told how well the students responded to their new environment in Germany and France. In both countries, students had to speak to members of the public, and in Germany, Frau Mueller told me how confidently many students were able to use their language skills and knowledge to speak to people they did not know, whether this was in a school, at a place of interest, in shops etc. Well done to the students for the personal growth and maturity they displayed, as well as the respect they are showing in speaking to people in their own language. There is nothing more significant than trying to communicate, understand and empathise with others. I have also received similar positive reports about Year 12 students from their work experience placements, in particular, Moya and Caitlin who did a placement at the University of Reading in the Classics Department. Their article is on the website, please read it to see what a fascinating week they had researching and learning about ancient artefacts. Year 12 WEX
The public exams finished this week: GCSEs on Tuesday and A Levels yesterday with one of the very big exams, Mathematics, closing the season for this year. I know and have spoken to a few students who are hugely relieved that this intense period of their education is over and they can now rest and relax for several weeks. The staff organising, managing and supervising this period of exams, led by Mr Chapman, Exams Officer and Ms Le Croissette, Assistant Headteacher, have given me such positive reports about how well students have conducted themselves over the 6-week period. Well done and thank you again to the students and the staff assisting.
There are several new articles on the website which I hope you will look at and read.
Bushcraft
Earth Week
Kendrick School - Student Achievements
The one I would like you to prioritise is the one in our series of podcasts that I have been sharing with you, prepared by our Holocaust Ambassadors. I have mentioned the Holocaust Ambassadors many times and the fact that this year we were able to send 6 students on the Lessons from Auschwitz project has meant we have received so much more in return from this larger group. Their remit as Holocaust Ambassadors is always to share their learning from the trip with their school, which this group is doing so well. Their efforts have enabled them produce 6 podcasts and I believe there are more to come. The one I am suggesting you listen to is between one of the Ambassadors, Elizabeth and Frau Mueller, Head of German. Frau Mueller is asked what her Holocaust education was like at school in Germany when she was growing up and how that compares to how the topic is taught in the UK. Referencing certain key documents, the discussion between teacher and student is most engaging, thoughtful and intelligent. My thanks to Frau Mueller for her time and contribution to this work. The podcast is here.
It is a lovely day today at Kendrick, and I enjoyed walking around school at lunch time and seeing activities taking place and students taking part, for example in the Pride event in the Hall. Many students and staff sat outside to have their lunch and enjoy the sunshine, chatting with their friends. On such a day, feelings of belonging and community are so very strong and show what a pleasant school we are. I know this will be something I will miss when I am not here next year.
Wishing everyone a good weekend,
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
School Notices
INSET Day – Friday 3rd July 2026
Friday 4th July 2026 is an INSET day and school will be closed to all students.
Whitley Food Cupboard
It is hard to believe that we have now been supporting the Whitley Food Cupboard for three and a half years and through your incredible support we have made numerous donations of supplies and money. We have established a strong connection with Whitley Park School in the process as well.
We are having our Summer Food Bank Collection next week in school. I have been in touch with the team who are running the Whitley Food Cupboard and they would be grateful for all the usual donations with an emphasis on snacks, juice, toiletries and washing products.
Thank you so much in advance. We are aiming for a bumper collection to top up the Food Cupboard before the long summer break.
Donations can also be made via Parent Pay and this is also incredibly welcome.
Mr N Simmonds, Deputy Headteacher
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Kendrick School
Social Media Ban – Everything Parents Need to Know. Source BBC.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Managing Stress and Building Resilience. Source Mind. There are some things you can do to help manage your stress and cope when you're under pressure.
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.
Bushcraft
Earth Week
Kendrick School - Student Achievements
Year 12 WEX
Week commencing 22nd June 2026 – Week B
Monday 22nd June Year 13 Farewell Tea Party
Tuesday 23rd June Induction Session for New Year 7 Students
Wednesday 24th June New Year 7 Parents’ Information Evening~
Thursday 25th June Year 10 Geography Rivers Trip
Sixth Form Induction Day
Student Careers and Work Experience
No current vacancies
ParentPay and Evolve Reminders
Latest Reminders for ParentPay and Evolve
Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)
Weekly News – Friday 19th 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