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 6TH FEBRUARY 2026
Please click here for previous weekly updates.
Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher
I would like to begin with highlighting the webinar that was sent to you last week, made by Ms Hyde. This is the second in the series of webinars that Ms Hyde has produced for students across the school. Based on feedback we have received from students in focus groups and surveys, Ms Hyde has skilfully researched and presented appropriate content to assist parents and students manage some of the issues that present themselves to them as they develop and mature in school. Please take time to watch the webinar and to follow up the very helpful links.
We had another pleasant hour with Year 8/9 parents last night at the second Drop-in session this year. Once again hosted by KPS over 50 parents joined the call and asked very sensible and pertinent questions about school life. Obvious interest at this moment is around option choices for Year 9 going into Year 10 which is coming up after half term and parents will be invited to an Information Evening on Wednesday 4th March to hear the presentation of the process we go through at Kendrick on the Options process. I did reiterate again to parents the message that students do enough academic work in school and do not need additional tuition. We are hearing that some students across the school are receiving additional tutoring in some subjects just to be ahead of the teaching of topics in schools. We do not advise this, and students need to be led by one teacher and that is their teacher in school who knows the curriculum and specification that needs to be covered and is practised in doing this. However, I am pleased and grateful to the support parents want to give their children’s learning and that is vital in the overall success of any child during their schooling.
We have delivered some excellent assemblies to student on safeguarding themes most recently on misogyny and the importance of one’s digital footprint. There has also been form led assemblies and this week 8TCA presented a super assembly on the importance of Relationships and how to nurture and have good and respectful relationships. I was pleased to hear them use the terminology that we use in school about speaking to a trusted adult should they find themselves in a situation where the relationship/friendship they are having with anyone is beginning to be uncomfortable. Well done 8TCA and Ms Campbell their tutor.
A question that came up at last night’s parental drop-in was about work experience across the school. This is part of the bigger area of education that all schools are obliged to deliver which is Careers Education. Like all schools we need to provide careers education that is outlined in a guidance document known as the Gatsby Benchmarks. There are 8 benchmarks schools need to cover with their students:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning form career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each young person
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences in the workplace
- Encounters with Further and Higher Education
- Personal guidance
At Kendrick this work is led by Mrs McManus and further information about our careers work can be found on the website.
Reminder for next week we have our House Drama event. This year’s theme is The Blind Assassin, the title of a novel by Margaret Atwood - ‘we leave traces of ourselves everywhere like dust’. You can buy your tickets here.
A new article on the website for you to read is about a debate competition that some of our students have been involved in and won last month. Another round is next week and we wish them well.
Wishing everyone a good weekend,
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
School Notices
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 Hubard is our GDPR Lead and should be the initial contact for any data protection and data breaches. Mrs Hubard can be contacted on EHubard@kendrick.reading.sch.uk
Update on recent anti-social behaviour outside of Kendrick School
Following the recent incident where some students had eggs thrown at them by two boys outside of school, Thames Valley Police shared images of the boys with local schools. The boys have been identified, and appropriate action is being taken through a partnership approach with police, their school and their parents.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Kendrick School
How to manage school group chats. A guide for parents (BBC Bitesize)
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Resilience Workshop for Parents (with the NHS Mental Health Support Team (11th February 2026)
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.
Kendrick Wins Debate Competition
Week commencing 9th February - Week A
Children’s Mental Awareness Health Week
Year 11 Sixth Form consultations all week
- Monday 9th February – Year 11 Macbeth Trip
- Tuesday 10th February – Safer Internet Day
- Thursday 12th February – Trustee P&R Committee, 4.30pm; House Drama Please see email sent on Thursday 5th February 2026.
- Friday 13th February – End of Term 3, 3.15pm
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.
Mathematics Teacher to cover a maternity leave for September 2026. Closing date for applications: 9am Thursday 29th January 2026. Interviewing Friday 6th February.
ParentPay and Evolve Reminders
Reminders on Friday 6th February 2026
Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)
Weekly News – Friday 6th February 2026
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
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