At Kendrick the test decides eligibility; the catchment area only prioritises between girls who have already qualified. That means an out-of-area candidate who scores well can still be offered a place, and living nearby does not qualify anyone on its own. The school's published admissions policy sets out the exact order of criteria for each entry year.

For context: 83.6% of families in England were offered their first-preference secondary school for September 2026 entry, and 92.4% their first-preference primary. — DfE, School applications and offers, 2026

Kendrick Grammar School stands as a beacon of academic excellence in Reading, Berkshire. Known for its selective admissions and high standards, this girls' grammar school offers a detailed and competitive process to prospective students and their families. This blog post aims to demystify the admissions process, particularly focusing on the school's approach to its catchment area.

What Is Kendrick Grammar School?

Why does academic excellence matter?

Kendrick Grammar School is renowned for its strong academic track record. The school's commitment to upholding high educational standards is evident in its rigorous curriculum and the outstanding performance of its students.

What is the admissions process?

Unlike many other state-funded schools, Kendrick Grammar School does not adhere to a traditional catchment area system. Instead, admissions are primarily based on academic prowess as assessed through the 11+ Secondary Transfer Test (STT) along with other criteria.

What Is the Catchment Area?

What is priority to local residents?

Although there is no defined catchment area, priority is given to applicants residing within the Reading Borough Council area. This local preference means that students living in this area who meet the academic requirements are more likely to secure a place.

What are options for non-local applicants?

For families living outside the designated local area, the school offers several alternative admission routes:

- Direct contact with the school for guidance on application.

- Consideration through the school’s waiting list.

- An appeal process for special cases.

How Do You Prepare for Admission?

Why Does Academic Preparation Matter?

Given the competitive nature of admissions, preparing your child for the 11+ STT is crucial. A strong academic foundation and a good performance in this test significantly enhance the chances of admission.

What are additional considerations?

Besides academic preparation, other factors such as the student's primary school report, consistent attendance, and performance in potential interviews play a role in the admissions process.

What should you do next?

While Kendrick Grammar School does not have a specific catchment area, it places a priority on local residents within the Reading Borough Council area during its admissions process. Admission remains highly competitive, emphasizing the need for excellent academic preparation and a robust application. By understanding and navigating the admissions criteria effectively, parents can better position their children for success at this prestigious institution.

What else is worth reading?

What can this guide not tell you about a particular school?

There is no national 11+ exam. Each school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and republishes them every year, so the detail here can go out of date within a cycle. Confirm against the school’s own admissions policy and gov.uk school admissions before you rely on any date.

Every school publishes its own rule, and the national position is short:

“All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places.” — gov.uk, School admissions

Where can you check this at source?

University application rules, deadlines and Clearing dates are set by UCAS and change each cycle. Always confirm against UCAS directly and the course page itself: