Kendrick School is, by any measure, one of the top state-funded girls’ schools in the United Kingdom. With a rich history dating back to 1877 and an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating, it is a top choice for parents in Reading and the wider Berkshire area. The school’s academic results are exceptional, with 83% of GCSE grades at 9 or 8 and 75% of A-Level grades at A* or A in 2022.
This reputation, however, comes with intense competition. With over eight applicants for every available place, securing a spot for your daughter is a significant challenge. The admissions process is rigorous, and understanding the specific requirements is the first and most critical step on the path to success.
At elevenplus.com, we believe in providing parents with clear, accurate, and strategic advice. This definitive guide will demystify the entire process for getting into Kendrick School, from registration to the final offer.
In this definitive guide, you will learn:
- Key dates for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle.
- The two-part application process you must follow.
- A detailed breakdown of the Kendrick School 11+ exam format.
- A clear explanation of the qualifying score and the critical importance of the catchment area.
- An expert strategy to prepare your child for the specific demands of the test.
Key Information for 2026 Entry
- Address: Kendrick School, London Road, Reading, RG1 5BN
- Number of Places in Year 7: 128
- Exam Provider: GL Assessment
- School Type: Girls’ Grammar School
Key Dates for your Diary (2026 Entry)
- Registration Opens: Thursday 1st May 2025
- Registration Closes: Tuesday 1st July 2025 (midnight)
- Admission Test Date: Friday 19th 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 Kendrick School’s website.
How to Apply: The Two-Form Process
This is a critical step that often causes confusion. To apply for a place at Kendrick School, you must complete two separate applications.
- Register for the Test: You must register your daughter to take the admission test directly with Kendrick School. This is usually done via an online form on the school’s website during the registration window (May-July).
- Complete the Common Application Form (CAF): You must also name Kendrick School as one of your preferences on your home Local Authority’s Common Application Form. This is the official application for a secondary school place and must be submitted by the 31st October deadline.
Failing to complete both of these steps will mean your daughter’s application is not valid.
The Kendrick School 11+ Exam Format
Since 2023, Kendrick School has used its own standalone 11+ test, which is written and administered by GL Assessment.
The test consists of two papers, both taken on the same day with a short break in between. Each paper is approximately 60 minutes long.
Paper 1: Verbal Skills This paper focuses on language, logic, and comprehension. It includes:
- English Comprehension: Reading a passage and answering questions.
- Technical English: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar (SPaG).
- Verbal Reasoning: Solving problems using words and language.
Paper 2: Non-Verbal & Mathematical Skills This paper focuses on numerical and spatial reasoning. It includes:
- Mathematics: Questions covering the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: Identifying patterns in abstract shapes.
- Spatial Reasoning: Manipulating 2D and 3D shapes.
All questions across both papers are multiple-choice, and your child will mark their answers on a separate answer sheet. There is no creative writing component.
The Admissions Process: Score, Catchment, and Competition
Gaining a place at Kendrick is a two-stage process.
Stage 1: The Qualifying Score First, your child must achieve the minimum “qualifying score” in the exam to be considered for a place. In recent years, this score has been around 105 (a lower qualifying score of 100 is available for children in receipt of Pupil Premium or Service Premium within the school’s designated area).
Stage 2: The Oversubscription Criteria Achieving the qualifying score does not guarantee a place. Because the school is so heavily oversubscribed, they then apply their specific admissions criteria to the pool of qualified children. Places are allocated in the following order of priority:
- Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children.
- Children in receipt of Pupil Premium or Service Premium who live within the school’s designated Priority Areas 1 or 2.
- Children whose permanent home is within Priority Area 1.
- Children whose permanent home is within Priority Area 2.
- Children living outside the designated area.
The Bottom Line: The catchment area is critical. The school itself strongly advises parents who live outside the designated area not to register their child for the test, as no candidate living outside the area has been offered a place since the catchment was introduced in 2013.
[Image: A stylised map graphic showing the approximate catchment areas for Kendrick School.]
How to Prepare for the Kendrick Test
With such intense competition, your child’s preparation needs to be focused and strategic.
- Aim for Mastery, Not Just the Pass Mark: Due to the sheer number of applicants, the children who are ultimately offered places typically have scores significantly higher than the minimum qualifying mark. The goal is to maximise your child’s score in every section.
- Focus on the GL Format: Ensure all practice materials are in the GL Assessment style. This means practising with multiple-choice questions and, crucially, using a separate answer sheet to perfect exam technique.
- Build a Broad Skillset: The test covers a wide range of skills. A balanced revision plan that gives equal weight to English/Verbal skills and Maths/Non-Verbal skills is essential. For more detailed advice, see our guides on Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- Develop Speed and Accuracy: The papers are tightly timed. Regular practice under timed conditions is vital to build the speed and accuracy needed to perform well under pressure. Read our expert tips on How to Improve Speed and Accuracy.
This journey requires a calm, methodical approach. By understanding the specific format of the exam and the critical importance of the admissions criteria, you can create a preparation plan that gives your daughter the best possible chance of success.
Ready to start your focused preparation?
➡️ Our GL Assessment Practice Packs are specifically designed to mirror the format and style of the Kendrick School 11+ Test, providing the most authentic practice available.
