schools in Reading - seeking advice.

[Susankky]

I live on the western side of Reading and would appreciate advice on which school would be a good choice. My daughter is shy, and I am quite worried about bullying. I also hope she can focus on her academics. We would need to take a bus to both Little Heath and Willink. I was originally thinking of applying to Willink because its academic results seem better, but its location is in the countryside. I’m also considering Reading Girls' School as there is a school bus available. Do you think Reading Girls' School would be a good option? Thanks!

Best to go and visit. I don't know anything about the other two you mention but I did visit Reading Girls a few years back. I knew that it had had an interesting journey of improvement in recent years under the previous head. If you are happy with a all girls schools (without pointing out some of the standard issues that are more prevalent), then you might like it - I have friends who have sent their daughters' there and are happy.
Personally, I wasn't keen on any all girls school. For me too, it felt a bit institutional (with it all being in the one building so far as I can remember) and I prefer my child to get a bit of fresh air between lessons moving from building to building. I wasn't so keen on the geographical area and I preferred a walkable school. RGS doesn't have a sixth form currently (think there will be one starting soon?). Worth checking the staffing levels too as I believe they have had some teaching vacancies in recent years - hopefully that isn't the case now.
Do check out the availability of the mini-bus as they don't guarantee you can get a place (and if you would want one all the way through).
A minor point, but they seem very lax on updating their website and social media platforms which isn't helpful.

@Susankky I'd definitely visit your catchment schools first. Depending on where you are in Reading, Willink isn't that hard to get to by car, although it does depend on where you are. LH is a good school, but big! The staff there seem really nice. I would definitely recommend visiting.

You need to visit as they are all different and work which might suit your daughter. However if you haven’t then already research schools you are likely to get into - the last distances offered are available on West Berkshire website for Willink and Little Heath and on the Reading website for Reading Girls. They’re all oversubscribed so that might narrow it down for you.