The Abbey School Reading - Reviews

[MumTired]

Hi everyone,
We’re starting to look at secondary options for our daughter (currently in Year 6). She’s very academic, so we’re particularly interested in schools with strong academics but also good all-round support.

We’ve heard good things about The Abbey in Reading and would love to hear from parents with daughters there (or recently left).

• Are you happy with the school overall?
• How do you find the balance between academics and pastoral care/wellbeing?
• What’s the general feeling about the new head and any changes she’s brought in?
• Do you feel the girls are well-supported socially, and is bullying dealt with effectively?
• Anything you wish you’d known before joining?
• Any other school we should be considering?

Thanks so much. Really appreciate any honest experiences!

I know someone who teaches there. It’s a good school but there is quite a lot of anxiety amongst the girls in relation to the high academic pressure. My friend has to deal with a lot of anxiety related issues such as eating disorders amongst the older ones in particular.

I don’t know the answers to your specific questions though I’m afraid.

My son’s girlfriend is in year 13. She only moved there for A levels and had been at The Holt school in Wokingham up to year 11. (DS is at Reading school around the corner ).

I agree with @BarbaraVineFan- it’s a very pressured environment (sixth form is anyway). Abbey and Reading do a lot of things together such as debate team, drama club, CCF (???)

Personally I’d also consider Reading Blue Coat school and Leighton Park school. Both are mixed sex. Kendrick school (girls) if you want to do the 11+ grammar school route.