Reading Girls’ School’s admissions process is in line with the coordinated secondary school admissions scheme as set out in the DfE School Admissions Code 2014. The Trustees of Reading Girls’ School are responsible for admissions to the school and for publishing the following admissions policy. Admissions to the school are part of the co-ordinated admissions scheme of Reading Borough Council.

Students will be admitted at age 11. The admission number, 180 places has been set with regard to the net capacity of the school. Up to 42 of the 180 places may be selected by ability.

The criteria for admissions, which are only applied when there are more applications than places, are:

1. Girls in Public Care (looked after children) and children who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residency order).
2. Up to 42 places may be selected by ability assessed by means of selection tests and ranked according to the results of the tests. Then the remaining places up to 180 will be allocated according to the following criteria:
3. Girls who have strong medical or social grounds for admission provided that the application is fully supported by written confirmation from the professional involved in the case, which states that Reading Girls’ School is in their professional opinion the appropriate school for the pupil to attend for specific medical or social reasons.
4. Girls who have a sibling who currently attends the school and who will reasonably be considered to attend the school on the date of admission.
5. Priority will next be given to children of staff at the school, in either of the following circumstances: a) the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, or b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
6. Priority will next be given to children who attend named feeder schools. Our named feeder school is Battle Primary Academy.
7. Girls living nearest the school being accorded priority, as measured in a straight line from the school to the home address. Distance is measured on the straight line between Ordnance Survey data points for the home address and the school using Reading Borough Council’s digital mapping software.

Parents/carers will have the right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel if they are not offered a place at Reading Girls’ School. The Appeal Panel will be independent of the school and the Trustees and will be composed of three members who will include:

• At least one person who has no personal experience of Reading Girls School, defined as a ‘lay member’;

• At least one person with experience in education.

The arrangements for appeals will be in line with the School Admission Appeals Code 2012, published by the Department for Education (DfE), as it applies to Foundation and Voluntary Aided schools. Parents will normally have 14 days after notification of a place not being offered at Reading Girls’ School to lodge an appeal. The notification will indicate the reasons for refusal of a place and of the right of appeal.

Parents wishing to appeal against an admission decision of Reading Girls’ School should apply to the Clerk to the Appeal Panel, Committee Services, Reading Borough Council, Civic Centre, Reading RG1 7TD. Alternatively an application can be submitted online via this link: Admission Appeals

The Selective Stream test takes place end September/early October at the school and you will be informed by the school about the results of the test by letter sent before 31st October.

For more information on the Selective Stream Tests and application form please click on the following link: Selective Stream Test. 

Parents/carers will be informed whether a place has been allocated by the home Local Authority by letter sent on 1st March. The places will be offered on behalf of the Governing Body of Reading Girls’ School.

Further information regarding admission to Reading Girls’ School can be found below in the Admission Policy.

You should read the Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) In Year Admission Guide if you want your child to move school outside of the normal admission process and apply to start at Reading Girls’ School.

Applications need to be made online to BFfC using the following link: Online in-year admissions form

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact admin@readinggirlsschool.net