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 9TH MAY 2025
A momentous week in many ways. We commemorated VE Day in displays around the school and a video that the KSL produced for students to watch yesterday and today. I am sure many of you may have seen some of the TV coverage of the service at Westminster Abbey and all the other events up and down the country and in London yesterday. Our word of the week suitably chosen for this week is ‘commemoration’ (noun) which means ‘the act of remembering and honouring someone or something, often through a ceremony or observance’, which is what everyone has been doing this week. In our display a brief overview of VE Day 80 is given paying tribute to the women who were instrumental in the war effort and whose lives were changed forever by the conflict. Women who worked in factories, produced munitions, served as nurses, are featured for example Noor Inayat Khan, the first female radio operator sent into occupied France. Noor was a spy for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), her bravery was nothing short of extraordinary, and she was posthumously awarded the George Cross for her efforts. Nancy Wake, known as 'The White Mouse', Nancy was an Australian British spy who led daring missions in the French Resistance. Her resourcefulness and courage made her a key player in the fight against Nazi occupation. Vera Atkins, a Romanian British intelligence officer, Vera was responsible for sending over 400 agents into occupied Europe, many of whom were women. Her strategic brilliance and dedication were crucial to the success of these missions. The message within the display and what I felt has been echoed in speeches given yesterday is for all of us to reflect on the lessons learned from the past and consider how we can contribute to a more peaceful and equitable future The election of the new Pope yesterday, Leo XIV, and the mission many people feel he might lead to encourage peace amongst waring countries of the world, is welcome. Perhaps with the VE commemorations and reflections, his appointment provides us with some hope in this difficult global situation.
Closer to home, the history of our school continues with our current Year 11 and 13 students moving on to the next stage in their education and lives. In the case of Year 13, once they have taken their A Level exams, they will have left school, a watershed period in their life. At their last assembly this morning Mrs Hearn, as well as wishing them well for their exams, reminded them of some key logistical details about the forthcoming exams and beyond. She also told them of the support and access to staff they have throughout this period and study areas for them to use in school which can sometimes be more conducive to work. This applies to Year 11 students as well. Nevertheless, this time, particularly for Year 13 students, is a time of mixed emotions and reflections. From the students I have spoken to today (and whose shirts I have signed!) they say they are feeling both happy and sad. Sad to be leaving school knowing that they will not be returning as students again after their exams, but happy at the prospect of all the incredible opportunities they have ahead of them. As I often do in my talk to them at this time, I reminded them of the time they started secondary school in 2018, whether here or elsewhere, and some of the pressing issues of that time. At Kendrick we had started the expansion process of taking more students into Year 7 following the SSEF bid we had made to government the year before to expand the school. I reminded them also about the period of Covid when they were in Year 8/9 and how that must have been a defining time for them and one they are likely to remember. I finished by asking them to reflect on all they have achieved so far and to be proud about the contributions they have made to their school.
On the website this week for you to read are some super articles:
- Gene Therapy Treat
- Historical Association Great Debate
- Arkwright Engineering Scholarships
- Inspiring Young Writers
Finally, I would like to finish by introducing our new Kendrick Student Leadership Team to you. Last week they all had a prominent role in the Open Day sessions and from our meetings so far, they are keen to do so much for the school. Their photos and welcome messages are on the website.
Please remember to buy your KPS raffle tickets here.
With best wishes for the 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