Grammar Schools in Reading
Reading's two grammar schools are a mile apart and share nothing at all. Different providers, different test formats, registrations closing seven weeks apart, and main sittings two months apart. Applying to both is two entirely separate processes.
Test
Two separate tests, two different providers
Provider (2027 entry)
GL Assessment (Kendrick, on its own contract); FSCE (Reading School)
Test date
Kendrick: Friday 18 September 2026. Reading School: main sitting Thursday 16 July 2026, with out-of-catchment day applicants on Friday 25 September
Registration
Closed for 2027 entry: Reading School midnight 17 May, Kendrick midnight 1 July 2026
What families in Reading need to know
- Kendrick holds its own contract with GL Assessment and states plainly that it shares no 11+ scores with any other school. A result at one school carries no weight at the other.
- Reading School's main test is in July, not the autumn - unusual nationally. Only its out-of-catchment day applicants sit in September.
- FSCE, the provider Reading School uses, is a trading company of Reading School itself, registered at the school's address.
- Kendrick sets two papers of about an hour covering English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, with no creative writing. Up to 75% of its 128 places - 96 of them - are reserved for two postcode-defined priority areas.
- Reading School sets four papers named Adventure, Beacon, Compass and Discovery. Content runs to the end of Year 5 but the subjects may include art and design, computing, music, PE, geography or history, not only maths and English. No past or practice papers are authorised, and the format changes year to year.
- Kendrick lowers the qualifying score by 5 points for Pupil Premium, Service Premium and looked-after children. Reading School holds 12 weekly boarding places and up to 15 places for sporting aptitude, assessed at a separate July trial.
The 2 grammar schools in Reading
Admissions details change year to year. Always confirm dates and criteria on the school's own admissions page before applying.
Kendrick School
Reading, ReadingReading School
Reading, Reading
Checked against council and school admissions sources on 1 September 2026
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