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WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 24^th April 2026

Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher

It was Open Day for prospective Year 7 students and parents this week, an important day for the visiting children and their parents who are considering secondary education for their children. For some it is their first encounter with a secondary school, and this can be quite daunting given the physical size and populations of secondary schools. Hence our Admissions Team make this process as easy as possible for our visitors. It is always a great pleasure to speak to this audience about Kendrick as I know that parents and students who attend our Open Day usually come because they are very keen to see if Kendrick might suit them. I always start my talks by assuming they know a little about the school because of its local and national reputation based on results and high academic standards, then both the students and I proceed to explain to the audience what more there is to Kendrick -  the community spirit, the extracurricular activities, the super relationships we have, the joy and fun of learning we share and so much more. A key point I have always emphasised is the importance of girls’ education, which I believe is the essential characteristic and purpose of Kendrick and which has been my motivation and inspiration throughout my career. We are here to educate girls and women and to provide them with skills and qualities that can help them make their way in life confidently and independently and for that reason their education matters. A good education opens doors for people and for women it gives them choices. Of course, we are only at the start of the Admissions process for this cohort, but for those 1600 people who attended our Open Day this week, we gave them a glimpse of Kendrick from the speeches we gave and the tours of the school. I expect we will have hundreds of applications once the application process begins on 1^st May. For more information please see our website.

Elsewhere in school, Year 11 students are undertaking elements of their public exams. Over the last few weeks NEAs have been completed in many subjects and this week French GCSE orals took place, to be followed by German orals next week. With their usual calm and maturity, these students are preparing themselves, with the support of their teachers for the written papers which begin in two weeks’ time. I am always so impressed by their attitude and determination as we lead up to the exam period ahead. Until then attendance every day for both Year 11 and Year 13 is essential, I hope parents can support us in this. We look forward to the students being prepared and ready for the final assessments in their GCSE and A Level courses.

I mentioned our Holocaust Ambassadors last term and the fact that this year we were able to send six students on the Lessons for Auschwitz project. The students have decided to lead several initiatives in their role as Ambassadors for the Trust, one of which has been to record podcasts explaining what they learnt form the trip. They have recorded two so far, the first of which is here. Please listen to the podcast and note how eloquently and carefully students have talked about their visit, and the reflections they have shared. 

On the extracurricular front, we had a Bollywood Film Night yesterday afternoon with many students staying behind to watch a known Bollywood film. Quite long but fun, the film was enjoyed by all and brought to the end the celebrations we have had these last two weeks highlighting our Racial Literacy work. We are planning one last event for Term 6 to complete this module and then we will be able to begin the third module and training of this work in the next academic year. Tonight, we have the last of this year’s Discos for Year 7 and 8 run by KPS. I am sure the students will have a wonderful time!

Another exciting initiative that is being planned is the celebration of Sir David Attenborough’s 100^th Birthday on 8^th May! This is of course a milestone for Sir David but for the rest of us it is an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate his gigantic contribution to natural history through his numerous and excellent TV programmes where his has brought to our attention and interest the wonders of the natural world. At Kendrick, the celebrations of Sir David’s work and career are being led by his number 1 fan, Mrs Kenward, Head of Biology. Mrs Kenward has proposed several activities for us to take part in the week of the birthday. These include sending Sir David a birthday card signed by the students and staff of Kendrick, an Attenborough Quiz and activity sheets, ecology-based board games, seed bombs, screening of the series Ocean, plus an Eco-pledge. Longer term, we would like to re-establish the pond area in the quad by the science labs, and with a very specific Biology slant, we would like to try to identify 100 different species on the school site (plants, animals, fungi etc) - with a legacy to check the biodiversity in another 5 years’ time. Mrs Kenward has also asked other departments if they can make some cross-curricular links to celebrate and honour Sir David Attenbourough’s life and works. We will have more to report on this theme in the weeks to come.

Back to Open Day this week, the start of students’ journey at Kendrick, I want to finish with a few words said by one of the Kendrick Student Leaders about her experiences at our school and what Kendrick means to her.

‘Our school motto is: ‘Lead, Inspire, Make a Difference.’ At Kendrick, this motto is evident every day. In our student-led societies and clubs. In volunteering opportunities, including at Flourish - where students mentor students in younger years, at Inspire - where Kendrick students support primary school children and at Refugee club which provides homework and English support to local refugee children. Kendrick truly makes a difference through our charitable collections and food-bank donations. And of course, teachers make a difference and inspire students, through their teaching, unending support, answering questions, helping solve problems and suggesting areas to research further.’

Wishing everyone a great weekend.

Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher

School Notices

Opportunities to support Work Experience

We know that our parent/carer community represents a fantastic variety of careers and professions. If you or your organisation can offer one or more work experience placement(s) for Year 12 students, it would be greatly appreciated. This opportunity can be immensely beneficial for students as they explore potential career paths and build confidence in a real-world setting.

In addition, if you think that someone in your network may be able to offer a placement, we would be delighted to hear from them.

If you can assist or you would like more information, please complete this short online form.

Kendrick School - Year 12 Parent/ Carer Work Experience 2026 Placement Form – Fill out form

Each placement provider will be sent a link to an online questionnaire about Health & Safety and Safeguarding arrangements in their workplace, which takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. This information will then be shared with the school so that they can approve the placement.

Once a student has been matched to your placement, as an employer, you will receive a confirmation letter with all the relevant student information.

We are confident that this initiative will greatly enhance our students' understanding of the professional world, assist in their career decision-making, and equip them with essential skills for the future.

Details of the Work Experience Programme

·         Work Experience Dates: Monday 8^th to Friday 12^th June 2026

 ·         Duration of Placement: 5 days

 ·         School Contact: Mrs Candace McManus, Careers Co-ordinator cmcmanus@kendrick.reading.sch.uk

A Celebration of Sound
The Mayor of Reading’s fundraising event ‘A Celebration of Sound’ is taking place on Friday 1^st May 2026 at 7pm at Reading Town Hall.  This is an event of uplifting music performed by local artists in support of the Mayor’s Charity Fund.

The two important local charities being supported are: Readifood and Utulivu Women’s Group.  Readifood provides vital help to people and families across Reading facing food poverty and financial hardship, while Utulivu Women’s Group offers support, connection, and empowerment to women in the local community. By attending the concert, you’ll not only enjoy a fantastic evening of live entertainment but also help raise awareness and support for two organisations making a real difference in our community.

Come along and be part of an evening that celebrates the power of music to bring people together — all for two truly worthwhile causes.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased via the Town Hall or What’s on Reading.

This event is not affiliated with Kendrick School.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Kendrick School

The Hidden Dangers of Pinterest  Pinterest tends to fly under the radar. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, it has never attracted the same level of public concern, it's older, it's built around image collections, and most parents consider it benign, if they think about it at all. The article is a short, practical read:
https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/what-parents-didn-t-know-about-pinterest-matters-for-all-caregivers

Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Episode 3 -Beyond the Rainbow: Building True LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
We are pleased to announce that Episode 3 -Beyond the Rainbow: Building True LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, our second episode in the Kendrick School Webinar Series, is now live. 

This series aims to inform, support, and strengthen understanding between students, school, and parents by exploring shared perspectives and addressing topics that can sometimes feel challenging. Our hope is that these webinars will foster greater insight, mutual support, and more open dialogue within our school community. The webinars will run throughout the course of the year, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes, allowing families to engage with the content in a flexible and accessible way. 

A reminder that these links can be accessed at any time through either the link You Tube or through our school website: Website link

We hope you find this webinar informative and engaging. Should you have any feedback or questions, please do not hesitate to contact shyde@kendrick.reading.sch.uk.

SEND

Reading’s SEND Local Offer. The SEND Local Offer is here to help you find information about local services, support, activities and events for children and young people aged 0 - 25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). 

School Fund

Please donate to our School Fund here. You can make one-off payments through your ParentPay account or complete a standing order form for more regular payments. If you are a UK taxpayer, please ensure you also complete a Gift Aid Form. 

A school fund is maintained by voluntary contributions from the parents/carers of students. Its purpose is to provide an additional source of funding for the provision of facilities and educational resources for the benefit of students. We use our School Fund to support so many activities in and out of school that have now become essential to school life. 

Canteen

The menu for Terms 5 and 6 is currently being finalised.  Please ensure that you regularly check your child's canteen balance on their ParentPay account and settle any 'overdrafts' quickly. Overdrafts should only be issued on an exceptional basis and not as a regular occurrence. 

Latest News on our Website

French and German Language Plays
Widening Horizons in School Event
Fairtrade Week 2026

School Calendar

Week commencing 27^th April – Week A
Thursday 30^th April 2027 – Trustee L&T Meeting, 4.30pm

Student Careers and Work Experience

Current Opportunities

Vacancies

Business and Economics Teacher. For September 2026. Closing date for applications 9am Wednesday 15^th April 2026.

ParentPay and Evolve Reminders

Latest Reminders for ParentPay and Evolve

Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)

Weekly News – Friday 24^th April 2026

 

On behalf of the trustee body, I would like to welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 academic year. I particularly welcome students joining us for the first time who will get the support they need to settle in quickly and make a positive contribution to the school.

As trustees, we are responsible for working with Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team to agree on the strategic direction of Kendrick. We assist with setting the school's vision, aims and objectives. To do this, we are organised into three committees – Learning & Teaching, Performance and Review, and Resources. Each of these committees meets regularly, and we meet as a full board three times a year. All the trustees are committed to supporting the ethos of the school, and many have direct experience of the school – as a student, the parent of a student or as a staff member.

We want to ensure that every student at Kendrick has the opportunity to thrive – academically, as a member of the school community, and in their personal development. Kendrick has something for everyone: a huge range of extracurricular activities including music, sports, and drama; opportunities to show leadership, as part of the School Council or the Student Leadership Team; and, of course, the chance to help others.

I do hope that you will take advantage of the opportunities to engage with the school. We are always keen to get your feedback, and as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am always happy to hear from any of you. Please feel free to contact Lisa Hillan, Governance Officer to the Trustee Board lhillan@kendrick.reading.sch.uk if you would like to get in touch.

On behalf of the trustees, I wish everyone a successful year ahead.

With best wishes

Charles Ramsden
Chairman of the Board of Trustees

September 2025