11+ Tuition for Reading School
Specialist preparation for Reading School from our Slough centre, for the FSCE Ltd Reading School entrance test.
Reading School is a boys’ grammar school in Reading, Berkshire (ages 11–18). Its latest Ofsted outcome is Outstanding (2023). In 2024/25 it recorded a GCSE Attainment 8 of 83, with 100% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths (Department for Education). About 150 pupils join Year 7 each year, selected through Reading School (own admissions authority) (qualifying score Set annually (no fixed pass mark)).
How do you get into Reading School?
Reading School is a boys’ grammar school in Reading, Berkshire, for ages 11–18. Competition for places is strong: only 150 children are admitted to Year 7 each year, selected through the Reading School (own admissions authority). Because places are decided mainly on the test score, focused preparation makes a real difference.
Think Smart Academy has been preparing children for the 11+ for over a decade. We prepare Reading School applicants from our Slough centre and through online tuition. We teach Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning in separate sessions rather than rushed combined lessons, and track progress with termly mock exams and parent reports. Classes are capped at eight students, and every child starts with a free diagnostic assessment so we can see where they need the most work.
- Founded in 1125 — one of the oldest schools in England (900-year heritage).
- Boys’ selective state grammar with weekly boarding.
- Named a Top 25 School for Sport (Top 5 state school); 10% of places reserved for sporting aptitude.
- Ofsted Outstanding across all categories (2023); GCSE Attainment 8 of 83 with 100% grade 5+ in English and maths.
Reading School at a Glance
- Type
- Boys grammar, ages 11–18
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2023) (report)
- GCSE Attainment 8 (2024/25)
- 83 · DfE
- Grade 5+ in English & maths (2024/25)
- 100% · DfE
- Year 7 places
- 150 (150 Year 7 places (138 day + 12 weekly boarding); around 15 places reserved for sporting aptitude.)
- Entrance test
- FSCE Ltd, Reading School entrance test
- Qualifying score
- Set annually (no fixed pass mark)
How does the Reading School 11+ test work, and how are places allocated?
A single entrance test set by FSCE Ltd covering Key Stage 2 National Curriculum content plus a creativity section. Reading School is its own admissions authority; there are no commercially available practice papers, only the school’s familiarisation guides.
Qualifying score: There is no fixed pass mark. A candidate must be "of the standard" in every element of the test to be eligible; eligible candidates are then ranked within the school’s oversubscription criteria (priority groups, then the designated catchment area covering most Reading/RG postcodes plus parts of GU, OX10 and SL4/SL5). The eligible score varies year to year.
How Reading School allocates places: Reading School is its own admissions authority and sets its own entrance test (FSCE Ltd). Candidates must be "of the standard" in every element to be eligible; eligible candidates are then ranked within priority groups and the designated catchment area (most Reading/RG postcodes plus parts of GU, OX10 and SL4/SL5).
September 2027 entry: key dates
- Registration
- Opened 27 March 2026, closed midnight on Sun 17 May 2026 (register directly with the school) · reading-school.co.uk/admissions/year-7-entry
- Test date
- 16 July 2026 (day & boarding applicants); 15 July 2026 (SEN); 25 September 2026 (out-of-catchment day applicants)
Frequently Asked Questions: Reading School 11+ Preparation
Want the full Reading School admissions guide?
We’ve written a detailed, regularly-updated guide covering catchment, oversubscription criteria, results data and a preparation timeline.
Read the Reading School guide →Compare Reading School with another school
Weighing Reading School against another grammar? These side-by-side guides compare results, places and entrance test.
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Sources
School data on this page is taken from authoritative sources, last verified 22 May 2026: Ofsted (latest inspection report); the Department for Education’s Compare school and college performance service (GCSE 2024/25); and the school’s own admissions arrangements. A-level figures are the school’s published 2025 results (see the A-level section above for the exact source). Progress 8 is not shown because the DfE cannot calculate it for 2024/25 (no Key Stage 2 baseline after Covid-19).
