The Abbey School Reading
Reading, Berkshire · RG1 5DZ
The Abbey School is one of the leading independent all-through girls' day schools in the South of England, educating around 1,000 pupils from Nursery through to Sixth Form on two Reading sites. Named Independent Girls' School of the Year 2024, the school combines strong academic outcomes with a notably grounded, diverse, and confidence-building ethos. Its ISI inspection praised 'outstanding' outcomes across academics, music, sport, language, and drama, underpinned by a culture of expanding horizons. The school occupies an urban oasis in central Reading, giving pupils access to a city environment while benefiting from substantial on-site facilities.
- →Consistently strong academic results and destinations to top universities, including Russell Group, without excessive hothouse pressure
- →Award-winning all-girls environment that removes gender bias and encourages girls to pursue any subject or ambition freely
- →Impressive breadth of co-curricular achievement in music, drama, sport, and the arts, accessible to all ability levels
- →Genuine pastoral care ethos — school is known for knowing each girl individually and working closely with families
Who thrives here
Girls who are intellectually curious and willing to engage broadly across academics and activities, and who will thrive in a purposeful, supportive all-girls environment that encourages confidence and independent thinking. The school suits both high achievers and girls who need room to grow, given its all-through structure and emphasis on individual value.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
17 Kendrick Road
Reading, Berkshire
RG1 5DZ
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Mary Russell Mitford
19th-century author and playwright, associated with Reading
Kate Adie
BBC journalist and war correspondent
Rachel de Thame
Gardener and television presenter (Gardeners' World)
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at The Abbey School Reading?
Day fees at The Abbey School Reading are approximately £27,150 per year (2026/27).
How do you get into The Abbey School Reading?
The Abbey School Reading admits pupils at 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by 11+ Selective Examination. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are The Abbey School Reading's exam results?
At The Abbey School Reading, 35.9% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 68.9% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is The Abbey School Reading a boarding school?
The Abbey School Reading is a day school in Reading and does not offer boarding.
What is The Abbey School Reading's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated The Abbey School Reading “Excellent” (2023).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Girls emerge confident, articulate and genuinely well-rounded — parents cite the single-sex environment as a key factor in this
✓Teaching quality is consistently praised, with specialist teachers who are enthusiastic about their subjects
✓Outstanding music and drama provision that is genuinely inclusive, not just for the elite performers
✓Pastoral team is responsive and pupils feel known as individuals rather than as a number
Common concerns
!Some parents feel the two-site split between junior and senior schools can create logistical challenges for families
!Fees, while not published, are at independent school levels and bursary information is not always easy to navigate initially
!Sport facilities on the senior site are somewhat constrained by the urban location compared to schools with large rural campuses