With a history stretching back to the foundation of Reading Abbey in 1125, Reading School is one of the oldest and most prestigious state schools in the country. As a selective day and boarding grammar school for boys, it has a long-standing and formidable reputation for academic excellence.
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in November 2023, the school is praised as a place where “pupils thrive because of the warm and caring relationships that they have with staff.” Inspectors noted that the school provides a “highly effective” education that contributes to “significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences” for its students.
For parents seeking a top-tier academic environment with a rich history and a supportive community, Reading School is a primary choice. Gaining a place, however, requires successfully navigating a unique and challenging 11+ entrance exam. This guide will provide you with a clear, accurate, and strategic roadmap to the entire process.
In this definitive guide, you will learn:
- Key dates for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.
- A detailed breakdown of the unique 11+ exam format for Reading School.
- A clear explanation of the admissions process, including the “eligible score” and catchment area.
- An expert strategy to prepare your child for the specific demands of the test.
Key Information for 2026 Entry
- Address: Erleigh Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5LW
- Number of Places in Year 7: Up to 150 (including up to 12 boarding places)
- Exam Provider: Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE)
- School Type: Boys’ Grammar School (with day and boarding options)
Key Dates for your Diary (2026 Entry)
- Registration Opens: Tuesday 1st April 2025
- Registration Closes: Friday 13th June 2025
- Admission Test Date: Friday 5th September 2025
- Results Released to Parents: Mid-October 2025
- Secondary School Application Deadline (CAF): Friday 31st October 2025
- National Offer Day: Monday 2nd March 2026
Please note that dates can vary slightly, so it is always best to confirm directly with Reading School’s website.
The Reading School 11+ Exam Format
Reading School uses its own bespoke entrance test, which is provided by Future Stories Community Enterprise (FSCE), a subsidiary of the school itself. This exam is different from the GL Assessment tests used by other local grammar schools.
The test consists of three papers, all taken on the same day:
- English: This paper tests reading comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling.
- Maths: This paper assesses knowledge and application of the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum.
- Creative Writing: This paper requires your child to produce a piece of original writing based on a prompt.
The English and Maths papers feature a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions, where answers are written in boxes. The Creative Writing paper is marked by school staff and is used as a key differentiator for children who achieve an eligible score on the other two papers.
The Admissions Process: Score and Catchment
Gaining a place at Reading School is a multi-stage process.
Stage 1: The Eligible Score First, your child’s English and Maths papers are marked and the scores are age-standardised. To be considered for a place, a child must achieve an “eligible score.” This is not a fixed pass mark but reflects a child’s position in the rank order of all candidates.
Stage 2: The Creative Writing Assessment Children who have achieved an eligible score then have their Creative Writing paper marked by school staff.
Stage 3: The Oversubscription Criteria Because Reading School is heavily oversubscribed, it then applies its specific admissions criteria to the pool of eligible children. Places are allocated in the following order of priority:
- Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children.
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium or Service Premium who live within the catchment area.
- Children with a significant social or welfare need who live within the catchment area.
- Up to 15 places for boys with a Sporting Aptitude.
- Boys living within the school’s defined catchment area.
- All other boys, ranked by their test score.
The Bottom Line: The catchment area is critically important. In recent years, it has been extremely difficult to secure a day place if you live outside the defined catchment area. You must check the latest admissions policy on the school’s website to understand the rules and check your address.
[Image: A stylised map graphic showing the concept of a school with a defined catchment area circle around it.]
How to Prepare for the Reading School Test
A structured and focused approach is the key to success.
- Focus on Core Skills, Not Just Technique: The FSCE test is designed to be less about exam technique and more about genuine academic ability. Preparation should focus on building a deep and fluent understanding of the Key Stage 2 English and Maths curriculum.
- Develop Creative Writing Stamina: The creative writing paper is a key part of the assessment. Regular practice in planning and writing compelling stories under timed conditions is essential.
- Read Widely: A broad vocabulary and strong comprehension skills are vital for the English paper. Encouraging your child to read a wide range of fiction and non-fiction is one of the best forms of preparation.
- Familiarise, Don’t Cram: The school provides familiarisation materials on its website. Use these to help your child understand the style of the questions, but avoid last-minute cramming.
By understanding the unique format of the FSCE exam and the importance of the admissions criteria, you can create a preparation plan that gives your son the best possible chance of success.
Ready to start your focused preparation?
➡️ Our English and Maths Practice Packs provide excellent practice for the core curriculum skills tested in the Reading School entrance exam.