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    • 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 30TH January 2026

    Please click here for previous weekly updates.

    WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 30TH JANUARY 2026

    Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher

    It was Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday 27th January and the practice at Kendrick is that we have a whole school assembly commemorating this day which marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz in January 1945. Our Sixth Form Holocaust Ambassadors, Koyenum and Atika, who visited Auschwitz last year as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz programme, joined me in the assembly and presented their ‘lessons’ to the school. The theme this year is Bridging Generations, a call to action and a reminder that the responsibility of remembrance doesn't end with the survivors - it lives on through their children, their grandchildren and through all of us. This theme encourages us all to engage actively with the past - to listen, to learn and to carry those lessons forward. By doing so, we build a bridge between memory and action, between history and hope for the future. As well as the Holocaust Ambassadors and the excellent presentation they gave to the school, I invited a guest speaker, Professor David Brauner, from Reading University to speak about his mother’s experiences of life in Poland as a small child when she and her family were evicted from their homes and forced to live in a ghetto with some being sent to the camps. Professor Brauner spoke about the impact of his mother’s early life experiences as an adult and on her life and family in England. The trauma of this experience left her anxious in her life. Mrs Brauner died recently and so her son speaking to us at our assembly was a demonstration of bridging generations as Professor Brauner was able to speak about his mother and pass on her life experiences to us.

    Interestingly this year, we have been reminded by the Secretary of State, Bridgit Philipson to take time to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. She wrote in a letter to Headteachers: ‘Learning about the Holocaust is not simply a matter of historical record. It enables young people to recognise prejudice, to challenge discrimination, and to understand the consequences when these go unchecked. The government remains firmly committed to Holocaust education as part of the national curriculum. Due to its significance, we made clear that the Holocaust would remain a compulsory topic in the history curriculum in advance of the response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review’. The same reminder came from Reading Borough Council Official and an official, Alice Boon visited us and joined our assembly on Tuesday. I am extremely proud of the work we do at Kendrick for Holocaust Memorial Day, in particular our Kendrick Pledge which came out of the first visit we made Auschwitz as a school back in 2010. The Kendrick Pledge Book features in the displays in the library and the vestibule and once again I asked everyone to re-read our pledge, look at the displays and re-confirm their commitment to the values expressed in it and sign the pledge book. You can see some of the work we have done and the displays here.

    The Secretary of State wrote to Headteachers again this week, on a theme that I am sure many parents are aware of and that is the use of smart phones in school. In her letter, Bridgit Philipson said

    ‘I have always been clear that mobile phones have no place in schools - I know many of you feel the same. But it is clear that the previous guidance did not deliver the clarity or consistency that schools need, or help enough in setting out for parents that this is a clear national position. That is why we have strengthened it to be explicit - all schools should be phone-free environments for the entire school day. That includes lessons, time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. It means, for example, it is not appropriate for phones to be used as calculators, or for research during lessons.’ See accompanying updated guidance.

    Because of this recent intervention by the Secretary of State for Education and the publicity it has received, it would seem appropriate that I remind everyone of the guidance and expectations we have at Kendrick regarding mobile phone usage. Currently, our expectations are as follow:

    • Students in Year 7-11 must switch off their phones and put them in their bags when they enter the school site. The phone may be kept in their locker or in their bag and must remain off until they leave the school site at the end of the day.
    • Sixth Form students must also keep their phones off and in their bags but may use them in defined sixth form areas for study purposes.
    • Only students who have medical conditions may use their phones to manage their condition. Special arrangements will have been made with the student and their family for this use.
    • Consequences of misuse of mobile phones are applied as appropriate and parents are informed.

    With the updated government guidance and the fact that a government enquiry has started on social media for under 16s, we will continue to keep our mobile phone policy and practice under review and make any further changes as required and necessary. Please also look at our Relationships and Behaviour Policy for more detailed information about mobile phones - Appendix 2 page 12.

    In our assembly on Tuesday, I asked students to reflect on the importance of looking at the past and recognising that we can be and do better in our lives. Coincidently I attended an assembly yesterday taken by 11RR on the theme of reflection. With maturity and in-depth scientific research, 11RR demonstrated the importance of reflection in our lives and made some suggestions about how forms of reflection can help our wellbeing. They suggested journaling, creative outlets and meditation which can help you to become more self-aware, and lead to positive outcomes. Intelligently they linked this outcome to our Kendrick Pledge and how to learn from your mistakes and increase your confidence and resilience. They concluded that it is always important to reflect on the past, whether good or bad, and learn from it. The link to the assembly is here.

    Today is Parent Mental Health Day, a day created to raise awareness of the vital link between parents’ and carers’ mental health and the wellbeing of the whole family. For some practical tools, expert advice and support from Stem4, and also a poster created by our Wellbeing Ambassadors and the KSL Wellbeing Committee, please click here.

    To finish as we did at our assembly on Tuesday, please read our Kendrick Pledge and I hope it helps you understand the ethos and values we try to work by at Kendrick School.

    Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend.

    Ms Christine Kattirtzi
    Headteacher

    School Notices

    We are pleased to announce that Episode 2 - Seeing Me: Body Image and Identity 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 https://youtu.be/IbhKvk1UULY  or through our school website: https://www.kendrick.reading.sch.uk/page/?title=Kendrick+School+Webinar+Series&pid=369

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

    Safeguarding

    Safeguarding at Kendrick School
    A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives Parenting today can feel overwhelming — especially when childhood looks so different from what we grew up with. There’s no manual, and it can be hard to keep up with the fast-changing digital world your child moves through every day. This guide aims to make those conversations easier and help you support your child with confidence. Source: Children’s Commissioner

    Wellbeing

    Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
    Parent Mental Health Day

    SEND

    You are not alone drop in for February. A free monthly online drop-in for parents and carers. 
    Reading Borough Council - Support for children with autism and anxiety (child aged 6-16)

    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. 

    Latest News on our Website

    German Study Dy at Goethe Institut
    Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 – Bridging the Gap

    School Calendar

    Week commencing 26th January - Week A

    • Wednesday 4th February – Year 10 Parents’ Consultation
    • Thursday 5th February – Time to Talk Day; Year 10 Hitler on Trial trip; Year 13 leaving photos; KPS Year 8 &9 Online Drop-Ins with Ms Kattirtzi and Miss Hyde
    • Friday 6th February – KPS Year 9 Disco

    Student Careers and Work Experience

    Current Opportunities

    Vacancies

    Mathematics Teacher to cover a maternity leave for September 2026. Closing date for applications: 9am Thursday 29th January 2026. Currently shortlisting.

    We will shortly be advertising for a School Caretaker. More information will be circulated next week.

    ParentPay and Evolve Reminders

    Reminders on Friday 30th January 2026

    Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)

    Weekly News – Friday 30th January 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