GirlsIndependent

The Abbey School Reading

Reading, Reading, South East · RG1 5DZ

Founded in 1887, The Abbey School is an independent day school for girls in Reading, educating around 750 pupils from age 3 through to the sixth form. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both quality of education and pupils' personal development, though it should be noted that the school did not meet the ISI's compliance requirements at inspection. With a Christian character and a sixth form of around 190, it offers a broad academic programme and a wide range of scholarships. Parents weighing entry should consider the inspection findings alongside the school's strengths.

750

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£27,519

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Girls
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 3-18
Pupils: 750
Location: Reading, Reading, South East
Website: www.theabbey.co.uk
Telephone: 0118 987 2256

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Head Sarah Tullis

Latest results

Attainment 8

27.6

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

85%

A-level A*-A

56%

A-level A*-B

93%

Teaching & academics

At A-level, 56% of entries reached A*-A and 93% achieved A*-B, a strong showing that points to confident, well-supported sixth formers. Popular A-level choices span the sciences, mathematics, economics, psychology and humanities, and the school offers the IB and EPQ alongside conventional A-levels. At GCSE, 85% of grades fell in the 9-7 range, indicating high attainment among many pupils. The published Attainment 8 figure of 27.6 sits below the national average of 46.9, so families may wish to ask the school directly about how this measure reflects its cohort.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 190

Popular A-level subjects

PsychologyMathematicsEconomicsBiologyChemistryPhysicsHistoryEnglish LiteratureReligious StudiesSpanish

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelIBEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 12.6%
EHC plans: 0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicArtDramaMusicSport

Languages

Spanish

Popular GCSE subjects

English LanguageGeographyHistoryReligious StudiesDrama & Theatre StudiesMusicPhysical Education/Sports StudiesComputer Studies/ComputingArt & Design (Fine Art)D&T Food TechnologyLatin

Sport

Main sports

SwimmingDivingHockeyNetballTennisAthletics

Beyond the classroom

Sport is a notable feature, with swimming and diving offered alongside hockey, netball, tennis and athletics. Scholarships in art, drama, music and sport, as well as academic awards, signal real breadth beyond the classroom. Latin, music and drama also appear among the subjects pupils take, suggesting a rich creative and cultural life.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1887
Religious character: Christian
Boarding: No

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £27,519

Small number of means-tested bursaries

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 10 February 2026

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A long-established girls' school with strong A-level results and wide-ranging opportunities; the ISI compliance finding is worth a direct conversation before applying.

The Passmate verdict