Welcome
Ofsted report November 2022 "The Kendrick Pledge emphasises friendship, kindness, respect, equality, tolerance and justice, and these values underpin all that the school achieves. Pupils flourish in this exceptionally caring and inclusive learning environment. Secure, trusting relationships between staff and pupils ensure pupils feel very well supported and safe here. In turn, pupils’ excellent behaviour and impeccable manners make Kendrick a very special place to be".
To listen to an audio with staff and students talking about Kendrick's history, life at school and what the school means to us all, please click on the link below.
Kendrick Voices
Kendrick School is an 11-18 selective girls’ school with academy status. It has a local and national reputation as an outstanding school and has an impressive record of achievement as a centre of excellence for girls’ education.
In its last five OFSTED inspections, Kendrick was judged an “outstanding” school. In our most recent inspection in November 2022, OFSTED stated "Pupils and sixth-formers are justly proud of their school community. They delight in their learning and truly excel here. One parent spoke for many when reflecting, ‘The school does a great job of creating well-rounded, kind, human beings who will hopefully go on to make the world a better place. The academic results are important, of course, but far from the only focus.’ Inspectors totally agree.
Kendrick is a forward-looking school that grasps the opportunities that present themselves. A love of learning is at the heart of Kendrick with a strong emphasis on high-quality teaching. The curriculum is organised to meet the needs of all students and is engaging, rich and ambitious. All staff are hardworking and dedicated; students are bright, enthusiastic and curious; they love being at their school.
At Kendrick, students enjoy a rich and varied extracurricular education. The House System provides opportunities for healthy competition with numerous annual house events, which are key activities in the school year. Kendrick Student Leaders work energetically and collaboratively with staff to support this vital community element of the school. In addition, we have a School Council, which discusses and drives change for students.
Safeguarding and students’ mental health and wellbeing are prioritised above all else. As stated by Ofsted in November 2022, ‘The arrangements for Safeguarding are effective at Kendrick’ and ‘there is a culture of vigilance’ where ‘staff care deeply about pupils’ wellbeing’.
As part of Kendrick’s Widening Horizons strategic initiative, we actively pursue partnerships with schools and businesses in our local area and beyond. These associations benefit the students of Kendrick, as well as those in neighbouring schools. We share our good practice and offer opportunities to work with primary and secondary schools in the Reading area.
Kendrick has expanded in recent years, a process that started in September 2020 and finished in September 2024 when an additional 32 students joined Kendrick in all year groups making Kendrick a four-form entry school for Years 7-11. This year the majority of the 128 students from Year 11 have moved into our sixth form, and we have welcomed an additional 40 students from other schools, making the whole school roll, 940 students, the largest the school has ever been. In our admission arrangements and policies, priority is given to pupil premium students and students living in the Reading area, which is called Priority Area 1. Our Widening Horizons initiative commits us to achieving greater participation and access for students from local primary schools and the local area. In July 2024 and again in July 2025, we were awarded the Sutton Trust Fair School Admissions Award at Gold level. This demonstrates our commitment to fair admissions and is a great accolade for the school to receive which we are immensely proud of.
As the Headteacher of Kendrick, it is my vision to lead, inspire and make a difference to the lives of girls and young women. I believe passionately in girls’ education and know that Kendrick School affords its students the very best education there is.
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
September 2025
Weekly UPDATE - FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2026
Please click here for previous weekly updates.
Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher
Last night’s House Drama productions were as always, a wonderful occasion to showcase the creativity and huge talent of our students. The theme this year was based on a quotation from the novel The Blind Assassin by Margaret Altwood – ‘we leave traces of ourselves everywhere like dust’. Each house chose to depict the theme in their own unique way. Cedars’ production under the heading Memory was about an elderly man who is trying to assemble a legacy of his past in the form of a poem, resulting in his reflections of his past. Sidmouth House, using the title One Sip at a Time focused on the friendship of three women, demonstrating to the audience that friendship is based on ‘comfort, humour and being understood’. Palmer House, under the title To have, To hold and to Panic Slightly focused on two sisters learning about their parents’ lives through clues and artifacts in their home. All three house productions were of high quality demonstrating huge effort, teamwork, creativity, and some very strong individual performances. Well done and congratulations to all the students involved. Many thanks also to the staff who supported and guided the students in their work. The unenviable task of judging the plays was given to our guest Adjudicator, Will Close, an award-winning actor, who gave thoughtful and considered feedback to all houses. The winning house was Palmer House, well done to Palmer!
Other themes this week that have been brought to students’ attention have included Safer Internet Day on Tuesday when Mr Duncan led a discussion group of younger students at a lunch time. They discussed the theme of online misogyny and how it affects them. Writing on large posters students shared their views on this serious subject suggesting what they think and feel they would like the adults around them to do to support them. The suggestions included more education and understanding about the topic, both in school and at home, as well as articulating clearly the damaging effect and impact this online abuse can have on young girls and women. It was also Children’s Mental Health Week, and activities linked to the theme This Is My Place have taken place throughout the week, including making friendship bracelets, decorating kindness jars and a Just Dance event in the Sports Hall today at lunch time for all year groups. To keep students engaged in the holidays, the Kendrick Student Leaders have just sent their newsletter for this term which contains lots of articles and photographs of events that have taken place over the last few weeks. The newsletter follows the podcasts they have made in the Kendrick School of Thought series where they have taken topical issues and discussed them with teachers. The most recent topic they have discussed has been on the theme of Immigration with Mr Nemeth and Mrs Mohamed. For parents, a reminder if you have not done so far, please listen to the webinars produced by Ms Hyde which we have sent to you over the last few weeks.
Other information that has been shared with students are the details about the Bursaries and Grants available to all. May I also draw parents’ attention to the updated privacy notices on our website which can be found here.
Academically students have worked very hard this term. Year 11 started the term with mocks, and this week have had with consultations with staff about their sixth form plans and options for next year. The students I spoke to showed so much maturity, as well as understanding of what they have ahead of them and how they are preparing for this. Year 13 students continue to receive offers from universities and I am sure they are now focused on their mocks after half term. We have also had a few parent consultation meetings where progress of students has been discussed with teachers. We are midway through the academic year and so I would suggest to all that some moments of reflection would be helpful to consider how the year has gone so far and whether some changes or new approaches might be helpful next term. I would also like to ask parents to rehearse with their children our school expectations in terms of work, activities being undertaken, uniform and behaviours, in particular phone use and for those who need it to set some new boundaries in this area. Ms Hyde has sent an email to all students and parents in KS3 (Years 7-9) today which is an excellent prompt for such discussions.
Thank you to everyone for their work and efforts this term. Although a short term, it has been intense and fast paced. I hope that everyone takes time to relax and refresh and set aside schoolwork. Our Year 13 students, come back to mocks after half term so I know they will be revising and preparing themselves for their exams, but I hope they too take some time to rest and relax this holiday.
With all best wishes
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
School Notices
Medical Needs of Students
We would like to remind all parents / carers of the importance of keeping the school informed of any medical needs that may affect your child’s day at school. This includes any physical or mental health needs, whether temporary or long‑term, that may require support or adjustments to help them move around the school or participate fully in lessons. We have noticed an increase in lift‑pass requests from Year 7 students where no physical concern has been communicated to us by parents beforehand.
We also wish to remind parents and carers that students must not carry medication with them during the school day. Any medication that is required should be handed in to the General Office, where it can be stored securely and accessed when needed.
Students who use Inhalers or EpiPens may carry these with them, but we kindly request that a spare is also provided and kept in the General Office. Sharing this information enables us to ensure students are not only safe, but also comfortable and fully supported throughout their day. We appreciate your cooperation and support in this matter.
Kendrick School’s Data Protection Officer
Judicium Education Ltd
Contact details:
t: 0345 548 7000 |
judiciumeducation.co.uk
98 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8WB
Mrs Eve Hubert is our GDPR Lead and should be the initial contact for any data protection and data breaches. Mrs Hubert can be contacted on EHubert@kendrick.reading.sch.uk
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Kendrick School
Avenues of Support for the Holidays
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026
SEND Local Offer – Half Term Breaks
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 Autumn/Winter can be found here. The menu is subject to change dependent on food availability. 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.
Week commencing 23rd February - Week B
Year 13 Mocks
- Monday 23rd February – Launch of the KPS Raffle
- Tuesday 24th February – Year 7 Parent Consultations
- Wednesday 25th February – KPS Meeting, online, 6-7.15pm
- Friday 27th February – Student Iftar celebration
- Saturday 28th February – Pre-Loved Uniform Shop, 9-11am
Student Careers and Work Experience
English Teacher to join us in September 2026. Closing date for applications: 8am Wednesday 25th February 2026
School Caretaker to join us in March 2026. 4.45pm to 9.30pm Monday to Friday. Closing date for applications: 8am Friday 27th February 2026.
Food Technician to join us in March 2026. 22 hours a week. The successful candidate must be able to work flexibly over the school day, 8.15am to 3.45pm. Closing date for applications: 9am Friday 27th February 2026.
ParentPay and Evolve Reminders
Reminders on Friday 13th February 2026
Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)
Weekly News – Friday 13th February 2026
Letter from Mr Charles Ramsden, Chair of the Board of Trustees
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