Reading Schools

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We are thinking of moving to the Reading area so my eldest son (who is just finishing up year 4) can apply for Reading School (the Grammar).

However we can't assume he will get in as I know it's very competitive, so I wanted to look at areas where if he doesn't, then there is really good local Comprehensive as a fall-back option.

So far we have considered, Early to be in the catchment for Maiden Erlegh School. Does anyone have any info (good or bad) about that area or that school?

Also, does anyone have any other suggestion of nice places to live around Reading area that are near a good Comprehensive?

Our criteria of nice place to live are being near parks, green areas, and if possible not too far from shops, a leisure centre and a train station

Thanks!

Maiden Erlegh is a good school. Earley itself is nice enough, big leisure centre. Traffic like anywhere in Reading is a nightmare!
Other places to look - Arborfield with Bohunt but you’d have to get the bus or drive into Wokingham for the train station. Twyford and Piggots. Or go further West to Thatcham or Newbury and look at Kennet or St Barts catchment.

Late in the day but thought I would comment. Reading grammer is incredibly difficult to get into. I know boys who were top of the school who didn't get in and still finished up with all a stars at gcse from a state school (pre pandemnic!) they were that clever so I would not move directly with the intention of getting him in there. If you are determined no one does it without tutoring. I believe that there are a few grammers in slough and bucks in particular has a few - so you would have more choice if you moved in that direction. If you do opt for reading Maiden Erleigh is good I have heard but I have no personal experience of it. I have a lot of experience with Piggot in Wargrave - 2 sons went there. Excellent teaching - great if you are a high achiever but child can get a bit lost there if they are quiet and not highly academic as big school, big classes. It is hard to get into (oversubscribed - we did not get in with third child initially and we are just outside the village - so you need to move close to) . Hope it helps

Thanks, that's really useful information!