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".
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 5TH dECEMBER 2O25
Friday 5th December 2025
Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher
Another busy week. On the academic side, reports are being confirmed and sent to parents this week. Please may I ask that all parents spend some time with their child to read and discuss the reports in an encouraging and supportive way. All year groups are receiving their first report of the academic year and at all stages there is a settling in process that needs to be appreciated and understood, especially for students starting in their new key stage and courses: Year 7, 10 and 12. Please speak and listen to your child and congratulate their achievements and acknowledge their plans and ideas to develop their progress further.
More on the academic side, all students in the school were able to receive a philosophy lecture from a philosopher Dr Stepeh Law from Oxford University who has been visiting Kendrick for the last couple of years. This year, Dr Law’s presentation asked question about personality, and can computers think and feel as much as humans? In his talks, Dr Law encouraged students to discuss and voice their thoughts which resulted in some interesting debate. Thank you to Mr Nemeth, Head of RS and Sociology for organising this important morning for the students.
The annual Dance Enterprise Day this week was, as always, a super day of creativity, teamwork and energy! All form groups in Year 7-11 were tasked to choreograph and produce a dance in one day. All forms achieved this and it was a joy to watch the dances the next day, presented on the stage to an audience of their peers. Each year group focused on a theme and interpreted the theme in their own individual way to their chosen piece of music. The experience and opportunity to plan and perform on a stage may have been the first for some students in Year 7, but everyone rose to the challenge and made a great effort to fulfil the brief. You may see a selection of the dances performed at the Evening of Dance next Wednesday 10th December.
In assemblies this week, the Key Stage Leaders, Miss Hyde – Key Stage 3, Mme Hulley – Key Stage 4 and Mrs Hearn - Key Stage 5 spoke to the students about Knife Crime, an increasingly worrying issue in society and in parts of this country. Data shows that for some children and young people carrying a knife has become the norm for reasons of security and defence. The Safeguarding assemblies that were delivered to the students spoke about this growing trend but also and most importantly the consequences on anyone found carrying a knife. These consequences, as we all know, are very serious and can disrupt one’s life forever. I am sure there will be follow up conversations about this issue and I urge parents to speak openly with their children about it. A link to resources for parents from the Ben Kinsella Trust is included in the Safeguarding update below.
The season of Advent is upon us and at Kendrick this is recognised in so many wonderful ways. In our Word of the Week, Advent is defined as the arrival of something significant. While it originally described periods of anticipation in several faith traditions, it now captures any meaningful beginning or approaching transformative moment. Apparently, the advent calendar began in 1908 when Gerhard Lang created the first printed version in Munich, inspired by his mother's tradition of sewing 24 small treats onto fabric during his childhood. What started as one person’s fond memory became a beloved global custom. Advent means different things to different people, whether it is religious or secular, it is the season that does brighten all our lives especially at Kendrick with the many activities and events that take place at this time of the year. For the staff, Advent is marked by a poem a day which Mr Dilley, Head of English sends to us all. My favourite this week is a poem by James Crews. Please see below and enjoy.
Darkest Before Dawn
by James Crews
Three days into the new year,
and despite the lack of adequate light,
our white phalaenopsis orchid
has eased open a third delicate bloom.
Perhaps coaxed by the warmth
of the woodstove a few feet away,
the orchid thrives in its tiny pot
shaped like the shell of a nautilus,
sending out new stems and glossy leaves,
its aerial roots—green at the tips—
reaching upward like tentacles
to sip the morning air.
These blooms stir something too
long asleep in me, proving with
stillness and slow growth
what I haven't wanted to believe
these past few months—that hope
and grace still reign in certain sectors
of the living world, that there are laws
which can never be overturned
by hateful words or the wishes
of power-hungry men. Be patient,
this orchid seems to say, and reveal
your deepest self even in the middle
of winter, even in the darkness
before the coming dawn.
Enjoy the Advent season, however you and your family mark it.
Please remember the KPS Christmas Wishlist campaign. This week the total has reached £3395, £1605 short of £5k target. Please support, as so far only 69 parents have contributed to it. Thank you to those who have contributed. https://www.kendrick.reading.sch.uk/page/?title=KPS+Weekly+Update+and+Newsletters&pid=331&action=saved
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
School Notices
On Friday 12 December we’ll be taking part in Save the Children’s nation-wide Christmas Jumper Day.
Students are invited to wear a fun festive jumper or if they don’t have one, just decorate their jumper with some tinsel or bells and donate £2 to Save the Children via the Just Giving QR code below. Please wear the rest of your uniform as normal.
School Drop Off and Pick Up
Please can we remind you once again there is strictly no stopping or parking on East Street. Please be mindful of local residents and businesses in the surrounding streets, including South Street. A local resident has contacted to say their car has been damaged due to inconsiderate driving and parking. Please encourage your child to use public transport where possible or park away from the school, legally and considerately, and your child walk to school from there.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Kendrick School
Knife Crime Advice for Parents from the Ben Kinsella Trust
Childnet Crib Sheet - Generative AI
Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Seven amazing things you might not know about walking
Week commencing 8th December 2025
Fringe Fortnight
- Tuesday 9th December - KPS Meeting Online (see KPS update below)
- Wednesday 10th December - Year 12 German trip; Evening of Dance
- Thursday 11th December - Year 13 Parent Consultations; Full Trustee Meeting, 4.30pm.
- Friday 12th December - Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children
Student Careers and Work Experience
English and Drama Teacher on a short term contract - January - July 2026
ParentPay and Evolve Reminders
Reminders on Friday 5th December 2025
Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)
Weekly News - Friday 5th December 2025
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