Pangbourne College
Reading, West Berkshire, South East · RG8 8LA
Founded in 1917 and set in West Berkshire, Pangbourne College is a small mixed boarding and day school of around 397 pupils, with a sixth form of 129. Its standout feature is an exceptionally generous pupil-to-teacher ratio of roughly seven to one, which allows for close attention in the classroom and beyond. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent in its most recent inspection, with the same top grade for pupils' personal development. Nearly half the pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a school well practised in tailoring its teaching to individual needs.
397
Pupils
excellent
ISI
£33,282
Day fees / yr
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Open in Google Maps ↗Overview & data
- Gender
- Mixed
- Type
- independent (fee-paying) school
- Age range
- 11-18
- Pupils
- 397
- Pupil:teacher ratio
- 7
- Location
- Reading, West Berkshire, South East
- Website
- http://www.pangbourne.com/
- Telephone
- 01189 842101
Entrance & admissions
- Entry age
- 11
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Headteacher
Head Oliver Knight
Latest results
Attainment 8
33.7
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
0%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
38%
A-level A*-A
42%
A-level A*-B
59%
Teaching & academics
Pangbourne offers a broad academic menu, with GCSEs, A-levels, BTECs and the EPQ all available, alongside French, Spanish and German. At A-level, 42% of grades reach A*-A and 59% A*-B, with Economics, Mathematics and Physics among the most popular subjects. GCSE outcomes sit below national benchmarks - an Attainment 8 of 33.7 against a national average of 46.9 - though 38% of entries reach the top grades of 9-7. Families should weigh these headline figures against the strong inspection findings and the school's emphasis on individual support.
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 129
Popular A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Learning support & SEN
- SEN support
- 48.77%
- EHC plans
- 0.49%
Arts & extracurricular
Scholarships
Languages
Popular GCSE subjects
Beyond the classroom
Scholarships in art, sport and academics signal where the school invests its energies and recognises talent. The breadth of GCSE options, taking in drama, music, design and technology and physical education, points to a programme that values the creative and practical alongside the academic.
Ethos & heritage
- Founded
- 1917
- Boarding
- Yes
Mobile phone policy
Pupils will not have access to their phones during the working day. Day pupils may bring a phone to school if necessary for travel purposes. Phones should be handed in on arrival in the morning to respective HOMs and should then be collected at the end of the day. Boarders will have their phones stored securely in the office during daytime and will have limited access to them in the evening. Sixth form can retain their devices overnight. In case of an emergency, parents should contact the house staff.
Money matters
- Day fees (per year)
- £25,524 - £33,282
- Boarding fees (per year)
- £33,552 - £53,784
- Bursaries up to
- 90% of fees
Means-tested bursary assistance available
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 23 January 2024
The last word
A small, well-staffed boarding school whose pastoral and developmental strengths shine through; parents drawn to individual attention will find much to like, while those focused chiefly on GCSE league-table figures should look closely at the data.
The Passmate verdict
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Pangbourne College 11+: frequently asked questions
Where is Pangbourne College located?
Pangbourne College is located at Pangbourne, Reading, RG8 8LA.
What type of school is Pangbourne College?
Pangbourne College is an independent (fee-paying) school in South East.
How many pupils attend Pangbourne College?
Pangbourne College has approximately 397 pupils on roll.
What is Pangbourne College's inspection rating?
Pangbourne College is inspected by the ISI and was judged "excellent" at its inspection on 23 January 2024.
Compiled from public data. Last checked June 2026.