Indies/prep schools in Reading area

[Dreambee]

I am currently working in a London prep school primarily teaching Common Entrance to years 7 and 8 (although I am primary trained with over ten years experience working with ages 3 to 11). I'm hoping for the low down on schools in the Reading area as we will be relocating there for DH work next year.

I'm firstly interested in prep schools with classes up to year 8 as I love my current role. Am I right that Eagle House School in Sandhurst and Dolphin School in Hurst/Twyford are the only two that fit the description of 13+ prep schools? What are these places like to work (character/ethos/management approach/demographics/workload)? What are the salaries like in relation to state and what level of fee remission and or bursary do they offer for staff children? I understand that Dolphin School is an LLP and not a charitable trust, this makes me feel a little uneasy - is this unwarranted?

Secondly I am looking at the 3-18 Catholic indie in Reading itself (we are Catholics). Same questions as above apply. I would first be interested in senior school jobs at this school, but as I only have experience of teaching up to year 8 I don’t know if I would be considered so I may need to only consider the junior school.

Thirdly, does anyone have any views on indies in the area that only go up to 11?

Finally, how are the state schools in the area?

Apologies for the twenty questions. I am just very keen to have a bit of a heads up before job vacancies start to appear so I do not spend my energy on applying to schools that are a totally bad fit. I am especially keen to hear about anywhere I should touch with a barge pole.

Please feel free to private message me if needed.

St Joseph's was lovely back in the '90s. Lot's of pastoral care, academic, naturally, but not at the exclusion of all else. Then it was all girls and there were still nuns, though so a lot has changed!

The Abbey always had a bit of a reputation for bullying, and kicking people out if they weren't up to it academically, but that's anecdotal and again a while ago.

I can't say much more than that as it's all so long ago it won't be very useful.

Also: re state schools.

Madjeski Academy is an AVOID. I knew someone who was on a placement there a couple of years ago and it was like a prison, she hated it.

Kendrick and Reading Boys are the grammar schools and both excellent, but Reading Boys has much more in the way of grounds and facilities.

Maiden Erlegh is probably the best general state school in Reading itself, but I don't know what it's like to teach there.

Thank you opininggambit. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your views.

You could look at Yateley Manor, 12 or 13 miles from Reading town centre.

You also have Crosfields as well which is just going up to 16. Know of someone who works at the Dolphin and is happy there. Also know someone who works at the Abbey and she is also happy there.
Reading itself:
State wise:
2 grammars - lovely schools
John Madeski - avoid like the plague - seems to bounce in and out of special measures
Reading Girls (not a grammar school but okay reputation)
Highdown in Caversham - big but a good reputation
Maiden Erlegh (technically Wokingham) and Maiden Erlegh Reading both good schools
Prospect - big and has a bit of a reputation locally - difficult catchment
The Wren - a new school up to year 9 or 10 now. I used to work with the head years ago and she was always good.
Blessed Hugh Farringdon - don’t know much about it. But catholic,

Depending where in Reading you end up - lots of other schools in Tilehurst, Twyford and Wokingham. It is a bit of a sprawl. Few other private schools in Wokingham too - The Holme, Luckley House and Bearwood Reddam - mostly up to 16 think Luckley might be 18 though. However traffic is abysmal in Reading and Wokingham, you do not want to have to drive through it if you can avoid it.

If you are looking as far out as Eagle House then you have Lambrook and St John's Beaumont on your radar. SJB is Jesuit so may fit your bill- I would have loved to send DS there for the education, but we are atheist and I thought they might not appreciate that.

Given you’d be driving out of Reading to get to them and hence against the prevailing traffic you could also consider the Oratory Prep; co-Ed to 13 and catholic. Similarly St Andrews (though not catholic).