The Abbey School Reading

The page links families to Reading's SEND Local Offer.

“Special Educational Needs & Disabilities - Reading's Local Offer”

The school names Miss Sarah Bolton as its SENDCO.

“Miss Sarah Bolton, SENDCO”

The school works with local partners and families through a contextual safeguarding approach addressing risks outside school, including at home, in neighbourhoods and online.

“Our school works closely with local partners in Reading, Berkshire and beyond to adopt a contextual safeguarding approach, considering the harm that our girls may face beyond the school gates. This allows us to work with families to help ensure that their daughters are safe at home, in their neighbourhoods and online.”

The Senior School safeguarding team includes a named DSL and several deputy DSLs, including the Assistant Head of Sixth Form.

“Mrs Charlotte Hart Assistant Head (Sixth Form) and DDSL”

Specialist scholarships are offered to students excelling in Art, Drama, Music and Sport.

“For those who excel in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, we offer Specialist Scholarships.”

An ISI report states that students achieve outstanding musical and dramatic distinctions alongside distinctions in other areas.

“Students achieve “outstanding academic, musical, sporting, linguistic and dramatic distinctions” with “exceptional” outcomes “actively encouraged by a strong culture of expanding horizons and discovering passions”.”

All sixth-form students are invited to complete an independent project, which may support an EPQ.

“All students in the Sixth Form are invited to complete an independent project over the summer holiday of Lower VI. Whilst this might support a qualification such as the EPQ, it might be a stand-alone piece of work completed for the sheer joy and love of learning.”

A subject fair provides university-readiness guidance, including wider reading, competitions, podcasts and admissions tests.

“Once a year, our wonderful department staff host a subject fair where students can find out what it takes to be successful at university. Recommendations for wider reading, essay competitions, advice on podcasts to listen to, and which admissions tests you might need to consider, all form a part of this event.”

The school's named values are courage, honesty and kindness.

“Our values are courage, honesty and kindness.”

Student leaders help create an inclusive and supportive community through School Council, Eco Committee and EDI work.

“We ensure that our Prefects take the lead on School Council, Eco Committee and EDI. They drive change, developing the school, creating an inclusive and supportive community by working together and galvanising their peers into action alongside them.”

Sixth Form Plus offers optional additional study through AS Levels, a Food Science and Nutrition Certificate, Abbey Certificates and Abbey Tasters.

“Students who would like to select a broader curriculum can pick an additional option of study from the range of courses available in the Sixth Form Plus programme. You can pick from either an AS Level, a Food Science and Nutrition Certificate, an Abbey Certificate, or an Abbey Taster.”

Students can take an externally accredited Level 3 Food Science and Nutrition qualification equivalent to an A Level.

“This is an externally accredited Level 3 qualification (A Level equivalent) and is perfect for those who wish to try something more practical.”

For September 2026 Year 12 entry, the scholarship application deadline is 3 November, registration deadline is 10 November, and bursary application deadline is 30 October.

“Please find below the key dates for Admissions into Year 7 and Year 12 for September 2026.”

The school schedules working open days where prospective families can see the Senior School and Sixth Form in action and meet staff and students.

“Join us at our Working Open Event, to see The Abbey Senior School in action and to meet staff and students!”

The school supports students to build wider activities before applying to university.

“Whatever it is you’d like to achieve, we will help you to achieve your goals, and build your wider activities ahead of applying to university.”

Students use Unifrog to research universities, build shortlists and explore career options.

“A fantastic online platform, students use it to research universities, create shortlists, and explore their career options.”

GCSE outcomes are consistently outstanding and place the school among the top-ranked schools nationwide.

“GCSE outcomes are consistently outstanding and place The Abbey in the top rank of schools nationwide.”

The page reports 94% A*-B at A Level and describes The Abbey as the seventh-best IB school worldwide based on results.

“A choice between A Level (94% A\*-B) and IB (The Abbey is the 7th Best IB School in the World based on results) provides girls with an education to suit their individual learning needs.”