Reading School

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Reading School Reading School is an Academy for boys aged 11 to 18, offering day and boarding places.

Reading School is a selective, state-funded, day and boarding school that educates over 900 boys, aged 11 to 18 each year. It is also one of the oldest schools in England, having been founded by Henry 1 in 1125. Today, Reading School is one of the most successful state schools in the country. OFSTED describes it as “an outstanding school that enables students to reach exceptionally high standards both in their academic work and in their personal development” . Students consistently achieve impressive academic results of over 90% achieving A* to B at A-level. Over 90% go on to top universities, as well as many students securing places for medical related degrees. Annually, over 20 students are consistently offered places at Oxford, Cambridge or international universities. Our collective strength comes from our community and we celebrate the individual qualities that make each person remarkable.

Reading School's Sixth Form Open Day for new joiners takes place on Wednesday 25 November 2026. Tickets are now availabl...
19/10/2026

Reading School's Sixth Form Open Day for new joiners takes place on Wednesday 25 November 2026. Tickets are now available to book online:: https://readingschool.applicaa.com/events/01a0ec4a-3920-7ef7-b8c0-b9eab15558f2

Our Sixth Form provides a vibrant learning environment for academic excellence and character education, alongside opportunities to participate in music, drama and sport.

Weekly boarding and day places are available.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

This afternoon, Reading School Chapel was full for Commemoration Day, our annual service of thanksgiving for the people ...
16/10/2026

This afternoon, Reading School Chapel was full for Commemoration Day, our annual service of thanksgiving for the people who founded and supported Reading School.

The list of benefactors read out each year starts with Henry I in 1125 and runs through two Abbots of Reading, Henry VII, Elizabeth I and Archbishop William Laud, up to the 20th century. Very few schools can trace their history back that far, and fewer still remember it out loud.

Students led much of the service. George, our School Captain, read the lesson. Tom, our Chaplaincy Prefect, gave the Bidding Prayer. The Chapel Choir and Chamber Orchestra performed Fauré's Sanctus, and Reading School Fanfare Brass opened the service, conducted by Director of Music, Mr O Griffin. We also share our thanks for the whole Music Department and School Chaplain, Mr M Amos.

It was good to welcome back Old Redingensians, who attended alongside parents. Thank you to everyone who came.
Floreat Redingensis!

From medical school to a career that crosses continents: where could medicine take you?Calling all Redingensian medics, ...
14/10/2026

From medical school to a career that crosses continents: where could medicine take you?

Calling all Redingensian medics, medical students and healthcare professionals!

From Reading School to Professor of Family Medicine: Meet our evening keynote, Dr Peter Coggan (OR 1961–1964)

Our conference day will close with an evening dinner, including a keynote from our final speaker, Dr Peter Coggan (OR 1961–1964).

Peter has built a distinguished career in medicine in the United States, becoming Professor of Family Medicine and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

His journey offers a fascinating perspective on the opportunities, challenges and possibilities that a career in medicine can bring and will be particularly relevant for our aspiring medics, medical students, doctors and healthcare professionals attending the conference.

It’s also a chance to connect with fellow members of the Reading School community at different stages of their careers and continue the conversations from the day over dinner.

Could this be the conversation that inspires your next step?

Last chance to book your place. Join Peter and our outstanding line-up of speakers on 23rd October: pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

Please share with fellow Redingensian medics and colleagues in medicine and healthcare who might be interested.

When the stakes are high, how do you know when to take a risk? Meet our Closing Keynote: Lieutenant Colonel Alex Warner ...
13/10/2026

When the stakes are high, how do you know when to take a risk?

Meet our Closing Keynote: Lieutenant Colonel Alex Warner (OR 1992–1997), Experimental Test Pilot, Senior T&E Leader and Helicopter Flight Instructor

As an Army officer, Apache helicopter pilot and experimental test pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Alex Warner has spent more than two decades working across military aviation, operational leadership, safety and risk management. He has also spent more than 10 years in aviation flight testing, most recently commanding the Rotary Wing Test and Evaluation Squadron at Boscombe Down, working in an environment where understanding risk, challenging assumptions and learning from experience are critical.

What can we take from the moments when things go wrong, the risks we take and the decisions we make to shape what comes next?

Join us for the closing keynote. Alex will use his own experiences to reflect on the ideas, questions and perspectives explored throughout the conference and consider how those insights can shape what comes next.

📅 Friday 23 October 2026
📍 Reading School

Book your place: https://pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

Music is back for 2026! Watch as our Houses go head-to-head, bringing incredible energy, harmony and school spirit to th...
12/10/2026

Music is back for 2026!

Watch as our Houses go head-to-head, bringing incredible energy, harmony and school spirit to the Hexagon at our House Music Competition on Sunday 22nd November. This evening shows off the very best of pupil talent, collaboration and leadership.

Laud House ruled the stage last year but can they defend their title?

Tickets go live Wednesday 4th November at 3PM: https://whatsonreading.com/venues/hexagon/whats-on/reading-school-house-music-competition-2026

08/10/2026

One question. Many disciplines. A lot to learn.

And that’s just the beginning…

Following today’s spotlight on our opening keynote speaker, Sir Philip Lowe (OR 1957-1964), we’re excited to introduce our outstanding speakers joining us for the Interdisciplinary Academic Conference 2026 on Friday 23rd October 2026.

From public health and medicine to engineering, law, finance, business and public policy, our speakers will bring a wealth of experience and different perspectives to one big question:

What can we learn from what goes wrong?

Expect thought-provoking talks, honest reflections, challenging questions and plenty of opportunities to explore how lessons from one field might apply to another.

📅 Friday 23 October
📍 Reading School
🎟️ £37 including breakfast, lunch, dinner and refreshments

Places are still available. Book your ticket before it is too late: pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

The stage is set and all we're waiting for is musicians and families to take their seats.Tonight's Michaelmas Concert st...
08/10/2026

The stage is set and all we're waiting for is musicians and families to take their seats.

Tonight's Michaelmas Concert starts at 6pm in Big School and covers more ground than most playlists. Mozart and Debussy sit alongside Duke Ellington and the Foo Fighters. There are choirs, a guitar ensemble, a big band, and solos on cello and piano.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

This evening is brought to you by Reading School's Music Department.

What happens when success starts to sow the seeds of failure? Meet our Opening Keynote: Sir Philip Lowe (OR 1957-1964) F...
08/10/2026

What happens when success starts to sow the seeds of failure?

Meet our Opening Keynote: Sir Philip Lowe (OR 1957-1964) Former Director-General for Competition and for Energy, European Commission; Strategic Advisor, Oxera

With a career spanning more than four decades at the heart of European policy and decision-making, Sir Philip Lowe brings a remarkable perspective to our Interdisciplinary Academic Conference.

After studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford, Sir Philip joined the European Commission, where he went on to hold senior roles including Director-General for Development, Competition and Energy. His career has placed him at the centre of some of the defining economic, political and social challenges of recent decades.

Drawing on his experience, Sir Philip will explore how setbacks can drive reinvention, why anticipating change matters, and how success can sometimes lead to complacency. From industrial decline and the financial crisis to Brexit and corporate failures, he will examine the moments that force organisations and individuals to adapt, rethink and move forward.

Join us for the opening conversation and hear Sir Philip reflect on what we can learn when success is disrupted and familiar approaches are no longer enough.

Friday 23 October
📍 Reading School
🎟️ £37 including breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks and evening dinner

Book your place: https://pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

Meet our Subject Speaker: Jonathan Nancekivell-Smith (OR 1985–1992) Chief Operating Officer, UK Civil Service Awarded a...
07/10/2026

Meet our Subject Speaker: Jonathan Nancekivell-Smith (OR 1985–1992)
Chief Operating Officer, UK Civil Service

Awarded a CBE by His Majesty The King in 2024, Jonathan brings extensive experience at the heart of government, public policy and strategic leadership.

His career has included serving as Principal Private Secretary to the Home Secretary, Director of Analysis at the Ministry of Defence, Head of the No.10 Delivery Unit and Strategic Finance Director at the Ministry of Justice, as well as acting as Gold Commander for Operation London Bridge.

Jonathan’s talk, 'Why Public Policy and Implementation Practice Struggles to Address Unexpected Risks', explores why even carefully developed policies and well-established systems can struggle when faced with events that fall outside expectations, and what we can learn from those moments.

Don't miss this chance to join the conversation across law, politics and public policy. Book your ticket today: https://pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

School

Your child may have mentioned this concert once, quickly, on the way out of the door. Consider this the follow-up and re...
06/10/2026

Your child may have mentioned this concert once, quickly, on the way out of the door. Consider this the follow-up and reminder.

On Thursday 8 October at 6pm, students will perform classical music in Big School for a one-hour performance which finishes at 7pm.

Tickets are £10, or £5 for concessions and you can book here > https://alumni.reading-school.co.uk/events/view/michaelmas-concert-2026

A few practical points - please enter by the Erleigh Road main gate and park along the Terrace or in the walled car park opposite the Chapel. Have a question? Please contact the Events Team by emailing [email protected]

Address

Erleigh Road
Reading
RG15LW

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 3:30pm
Thursday 8am - 3:30pm
Friday 8am - 3:30pm

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