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 8th may 2026
Please click here for previous weekly updates.
WEEKLY UPDATE – FRIDAY 8th MAY 2026
Letter from Ms Kattirtzi, Headteacher
It is Sir David Attenborough’s 100th Birthday! This may be news to some, but it is very well known here at Kendrick. Through the efforts of staff led by Mrs Kenward, Head of Biology we have been celebrating Sir David’s long and distinguished work as an environmental scientist all week. Sir David has taught and educated the world about the planet through his documentaries and lectures highlighting the earth’s complexity, as well as its fragility. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we have had numerous activities to mark this occasion and to celebrate the work of Sir David, including Find 1 of 50 Sir David faces around the school, an online quiz, colouring, seed bomb making, screening of The Ocean and the possibility of having a photo taken with Sir David! Finally, and most importantly we have sent Sir David a birthday card, designed by Joy in Year 13 and signed by many staff and students containing a message of sincere thanks from Kendrick School. The card and message we have sent to Sir David can be found here.
The Lower School Chamber Concert took place on Tuesday evening, a joyous event full of enthusiastic students keen to perform and display their talents to an eager audience, including their peers. Always an eclectic mix of musical items, the concert showcased instrumental pieces, vocal, solo and group performances. Thank you to the Music Department - Mrs Cooper, Mrs Rhowedar, Miss Rodrigues and Mr Dilley who kindly accompanies many of the performances on the piano.
Our Kendrick Mock Local Council elections led by our Curriculum and Current Affairs Committee of the Kendrick Student Leaders, were held yesterday with polling taking place in the Dance Studio at lunch time. Although a small turnout, the winning party was the Green Party with 49.1% of the votes, followed by Labour with 35.8%, followed by the Conservatives with 7.5%, then Liberal Democrats with 5.7% and Reform with 1.9%. The Kendrick picture does not reflect the national results, but the experience enabled students to engage in politics, consider local and national issues, as well as understand the importance of voting and the essential right it is for everyone to exercise in a democracy.
The DfE has published some important documents in the last couple of weeks, including emphasising the guidance on mobile phones in schools with the following statement issued for clarity. ‘The parameters of our ‘mobile phones in schools’ guidance are clear: pupils should not have access to their mobile phones through-out the school day including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. We trust headteachers – who know their schools, their pupils, and their context best – to choose a way of delivering that outcome that works for them.’ At Kendrick we believe the system we operate with students works well as it is based on trust and clear expectations. In addition the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: policy summary notes received royal assent last week, another update on the government’s vision and plans for schools. This is a large piece of legislation and details and proposals on free breakfast club provision in primary schools, a limit on branded items of school uniform, compulsory registers of children not in school, and measures around school places and admissions. As with all guidance from the DfE, we will look at the implications on Kendrick and make adjustments as required.
As mentioned before, our Year 11 and 13 students have started their exam leave as the GCSEs and A Levels have started. Numerous exams will be taken in the next few weeks and so the support of us all is essential for these students. In their Farewell assembly this morning, Mrs Hearn, Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Headteacher gave the students some essential reminders to aid their management of themselves over the next few weeks: sleep well, eat well, take walks and fresh air every day and talk to someone – friend, parent, teacher, member of the school staff, if they need any help or support. Although students can study at home when they do not have exams, they are of course welcome to work in school with access to the library and IT facilities. We wish them well.
To end, I will go back to Sir David Attenborough and the message we sent him on his birthday. As someone who is universally liked and appreciated, our message to him ended with our thanks:
As a school committed to environmental stewardship and the Eco‑Schools programme, we strive to honour your legacy in our own community. Our students are engaged in projects that protect biodiversity, reduce waste, and promote sustainable living. Your example reminds us that even small actions, taken together, can help shape a better future for our planet.
Thank you for dedicating your life to education, conservation, and the celebration of nature. We hope you enjoy a wonderful birthday surrounded by warmth, admiration, and the knowledge that your work continues to inspire young people across the UK and around the world.
Wishing everyone a pleasant and long weekend.
Ms Christine Kattirtzi
Headteacher
School Notices
Message from the Chair of Trustees
I am writing to update you all on our plans to recruit a new headteacher.
Let me begin by expressing my gratitude to Ms Kattirtzi for all that she has done for Kendrick School. As you know she has been headteacher for many years, and during that time her leadership and commitment has been exemplary. We will have opportunities over the coming months to celebrate all her achievements. And of course, Ms Kattirtzi will continue to lead the school until the end of the school year.
As the Chair of the Trustee Board, it is my responsibility to lead the process for recruiting and appointing a new headteacher. To support me in this role I have established a working group of experienced trustees. Together, we have decided not to aim to have a new headteacher in place by September 2026, and that it would be better to take our time to identify a new headteacher. We are confident that this will ensure that we will have strong field of candidates. The interviews for a new headteacher will take place in June and we expect the successful candidate to take up the position in January 2027.
Mr Simmonds, the deputy headteacher, has kindly agreed to act as interim headteacher for the period September to December. I am very grateful to him for agreeing to take on this additional responsibility. We will make further temporary changes to the leadership team to ensure that Mr Simmonds has the support that he needs.
Mr Charles Ramsden
Chair of the Trustee Board
Food Bank
We were able to make a large donation of groceries, toiletries and detergents before the Easter holiday which topped up the Whitley Food Cupboard really well. They have sent their heartfelt thanks to the whole Kendrick community which we are pleased to echo and pass on.
We would like to make the next collection this week and next week ready for the May half term holiday. As always dry goods, tinned goods, toiletries and detergents are all most welcome as are donations made through Parent Pay. Your ongoing support for the Whitley Food Cupboard is just fantastic, thank you all so much.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Kendrick School
Talking to Children about AI. Source NSPCC. Learn how to talk to children about artificial intelligence (AI) and support them while they discover this growing technology.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kendrick School
Sleep and Mental Health. Source: Mental Health Foundation. What can cause sleep problems, how can mental health problems affect sleep, and how can I improve my sleep?
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 Spring/Summer menu can be found here. 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 11th May 2026 – Week A
Public exams
Mental Health Awareness Week
Wednesday 13th May – KPS Meeting, 6pm
Student Careers and Work Experience
Science Technicians. Full and part-time hours considered. Closing date for applications Monday 1st June 2026
Head of Chemistry. For September 2026. Closing date for applications 9am Monday 18th May 2026
Business and Economics Teacher. For September 2026. Closing date for applications 9am Friday 15th May 2026.
ParentPay and Evolve Reminders
Latest Reminders for ParentPay and Evolve
Kendrick Parents' Society (KPS)
Weekly News – Friday 8th May 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