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The Abbey School

United Kingdom, Reading

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees £4,000 - 27,150
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Girls School
Opened 1887
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IB (PYP), IB (DP), Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages French, German, Spanish, Mandarin, Italian
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The Abbey School is an independent girls' day school in Reading that educates pupils from age 3 to 18. The curriculum runs cohesively from the Junior School through the Senior years to the Sixth Form, combining Early Years phonics with Read, Write, Inc., a bilingual emphasis in English and the Arts, and extensive subject choice. In Years 7–9, students begin a language carousel (French, Spanish, German, Mandarin) with accelerated options and enriched studies, while Years 10–11 prepare for GCSEs and the Sixth Form offers A Levels. The Abbey Learner Profile underpins learning across English, the Arts, Humanities, Languages, Maths and Science, with subject specialists guiding lessons. Facilities include specialist science labs, a 25m indoor pool, an all-weather astro pitch, a Fab Lab and a library with over one million books. A programme of clubs, performing arts, sport and outdoor education complements academic study. Its values foster curiosity, resilience and collaboration.

Kendrick Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5DZ

The Essentials

The Abbey School has instruction in English.

Location
The Abbey is in Reading, Berkshire, England. The Junior School is at 30 Christchurch Road, Reading RG2 7AR, and the Senior School is at Kendrick Road, Reading RG1 5DZ. It is located just south of Reading town centre, about fifteen minutes from the train station, with a local bus route (No. 21) and an extensive school coach service.

Stages
Little Knellies (ages 3–4); Junior School (Reception to Year 6); Senior School and Sixth Form (Years 7–13).

Type
Independent girls' day school.

Additional learning support
The school has a whole-school SENDCo for pupils with SEND and for English as an Additional Language, plus a 1:1 support programme; in Year 7 there is extra help in English and Maths within the timetable.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom

Religious affiliation
Church of England

School day structure
Senior School arrivals begin at 7:45am with breakfast available; after-school Homework Club runs from 3:45pm to 5:45pm.

Bus service
The Abbey is served by local bus route 21 and operates an extensive school coach service.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The Abbey has a uniform system for Nursery through Upper V (Year 11). Sixth Form has a flexible dress code. The Uniform Code outlines the required items, and items in bold must be purchased from Schoolblazer; the Nearly New Uniform Shop offers second-hand items and there is an online ordering option.

Food Options
Lunch offers four daily choices served in the Lower and Upper School dining rooms, with a salad bar. Breakfast is served in the main dining room and the Sixth Form cafe, and Nora's Cafe supports Sixth Form and staff meals. The school caters for halal and other dietary requirements and provides individual food choices for students with severe allergies.

House System
The Abbey uses a house system for school life. Games Kit includes House polo shirt and House swimming hat, and a House Shirt is listed for the Summer Term.

Governance and Ownership
The Abbey is an independent girls' school. All policies are ratified by the Board of Governors of the School.
Fees

Annual tuition at The Abbey School ranges from GBP 4,000 to GBP 27,150 for 2026/27.

Application & registration fees

- Registration (UK applicants): £120 (non‑refundable).
- Overseas registration (international applicants): £300 (non‑refundable).
- Acceptance deposit on offer of a place: £1,000. £500 of the deposit is credited to the first term's fees and £500 is refunded at the end of the pupil's education with the school (deposit paid by bank transfer / cheque / debit card as indicated on the acceptance form).

Tuition fees (termly) and annual equivalents (2026–2027 academic year)

- Nursery (age 3+): listings show a nursery option and an annual figure of £4,000; the nursery provision and hours are described separately and nursery fees include lunch (exempt from VAT). Parents should note the nursery entry and funding options described below.
- Reception (age 4+): £5,435 per term — annual equivalent (term × 3): £16,305.
- Lower Preparatory (Year 1): £6,290 per term — annual equivalent: £18,870.
- Upper Preparatory (Year 2): £6,755 per term — annual equivalent: £20,265.
- Lower I to Lower III (Years 3–6): £7,280 per term — annual equivalent: £21,840.
- Upper III to Lower IV (Years 7–8): £8,775 per term — annual equivalent: £26,325.
- Lower IV to Upper VI (Years 9–13): £9,050 per term — annual equivalent: £27,150. Note: a compulsory lunch charge of £395 is listed in the fees section in association with senior‑school families (see notes below).

(Annual equivalents above are calculated from the published termly tuition fees multiplied by three terms; the published figures on the school's fees page are termly amounts. This annual multiplication is an arithmetic inference based on the termly pricing model. )

Included items and VAT

- The published termly tuition fees are stated to be inclusive of text books, classroom materials and personal accident insurance. VAT treatment is shown where applicable. In the Junior School most curricular extras and non‑residential trips are included in the fee.

Compulsory lunch and nursery lunch

- Nursery fees include lunch and are exempt from VAT. For the Senior School a compulsory lunch charge of £395 is shown alongside the published termly fee schedule (the published fees page presents the £395 charge in the context of the termly fees).

Other compulsory or regular supplementary fees and typical extras

- Digital device scheme (Senior School, currently UIII–LV / Years 7–10): £190 per term (VAT inclusive).
- Individual music lessons (available from Upper Prep / Year 2): £375 per term (VAT inclusive).
- Before and After School Care (Junior School): available at supplementary cost either ad‑hoc (daily) or at a termly rate.
- EAL / SEN or specialist one‑to‑one provision: charged as recommended and set according to the individual programme.
- Sibling and loyalty discounts: a sibling discount applies where three or more siblings attend concurrently (a discount for the eldest child); a loyalty discount is offered when Junior School pupils progress into Upper III (Year 7).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Billing cadence: tuition fees are published on a termly basis; invoices for termly fees are issued in accordance with the school's billing cycle. Fees for each term are due and payable as cleared funds before the start of the term to which they relate unless a separate instalment agreement has been made. Supplementary charges (trips, purchases and optional activities) are invoiced separately.
- Payment method(s): the school requires fees to be paid by Direct Debit in advance on or before the first day of each term. A monthly payment option is also available via an approved school fees plan provider (School Fees Plan). The acceptance deposit and other payments may be made by bank transfer, cheque or debit card as shown on the acceptance/registration paperwork; supplementary charges are paid through the school's ParentPay system. Childcare vouchers are accepted for qualifying charges up to the age of five and for qualifying activities.
- Payment by a third party does not release parents from liability unless the school gives express written release. The school may refuse payment from a third party.

Late payment, exclusion and interest on overdue amounts

- Overdue fees: the school may give three days' written notice to exclude a pupil if fees are overdue; exclusion for 28 days in these circumstances will be treated as withdrawal and a term's fees in lieu of notice will be payable. The school may withhold documents, references or property while fees remain unpaid where lawful.
- Interest: the school may charge simple interest on unpaid fees at a rate of 3% per annum above the Bank of England base rate (calculated daily). Parents are also liable for costs incurred in recovering unpaid fees.

Deposits, cancellation and refund rules

- Acceptance deposit: £1,000 on acceptance of a place; £500 is credited to the first term's fees and £500 is refunded at the end of the pupil's education with the school (acceptance form details this arrangement). The deposit is held without payment of interest in the school's deposit account.
- Registration fee: non‑refundable registration fee (see above).
- Cancellation rights and refunds: if the place is offered and accepted entirely at a distance, parents have a limited statutory right to cancel within 14 days of acceptance; in other circumstances the Parent Contract requires a term's written notice or payment of a term's fees in lieu of notice. Fees are not normally refunded for pupil absence due to illness, shortened terms, or temporary school closure, except in genuinely exceptional hardship cases at the Head's discretion. The school offers an optional Fees Refund Insurance scheme (charge under 1% of the termly fee) that provides a proportionate refund of fees in certain circumstances of long‑term absence for illness or injury.

Boarding

- Boarding provision: The Abbey operates as a day school for girls (no boarding provision in current published information). Boarding fees are not applicable.

Fee payment channels and practical notes

- Direct Debit is the standard required method for termly fees (in advance). A monthly instalment facility is available through a third‑party School Fees Plan provider. Deposits and other payments can be made by bank transfer, cheque or debit card where indicated on the registration/acceptance paperwork; ParentPay is used for trips and optional charges. Childcare vouchers are accepted for qualifying charges for ages up to five. Bank account details for acceptance deposits are provided on the acceptance form.

Other administrative or recurring costs to expect

- Uniform and equipment: uniform is required and is charged separately (uniform and personal equipment are treated as additional charges where applicable). Supplementary charges for residential trips, specialist items (musical instruments, sports equipment), exam entry fees for some public examinations, and replacement or damage costs are invoiced separately.

Summary of key published figures (2026–2027 academic year)

- Termly tuition fees: Reception £5,435; Year 1 £6,290; Year 2 £6,755; Years 3–6 £7,280; Years 7–8 £8,775; Years 9–13 £9,050. Nursery and nursery‑related packages are shown with a stated annual figure and are described separately; nursery fees include lunch. Digital device fee £190 per term; individual music lessons £375 per term. Registration: £120 (UK) / £300 (overseas). Acceptance deposit: £1,000 (with the £500 credit/refund arrangement described above). Fees are due termly in advance by Direct Debit; a monthly payment plan is available. Late payment interest and exclusion provisions apply under the Parent Contract.
Academics

The Abbey School teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), IB (PYP), IB (DP), Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Abbey School delivers a cohesive curriculum across Junior, Senior and Sixth Form. In the Junior School, learning begins with early phonics through Read, Write Inc. and specialist teaching in Music, PE and Languages. The Lower School (Year 7–9) features a language carousel in Year 7 (French, Spanish, German, Mandarin), with accelerated options in Year 8 and cognitive psychology in Year 9, plus an enrichment portfolio and a festival of learning. In the Senior School (Years 10–11), students work toward GCSEs with opportunities beyond the examinations. In the Sixth Form, the curriculum is based on A Levels with extensive choice. The Abbey Learner Profile underpins learning across English and the Arts, Humanities, Languages, Maths and Science, with subject specialists delivering the curriculum.

Exam Results
GCSE outcomes are consistently outstanding. 87% of all grades were 9–7 (A*/A); 40% of grades were the top grade 9; 67% were 9–8.

Higher Education Progression
The Careers programme provides information at different stages to support progression to higher education.

Gifted and Talented
Extension is a key element of provision, with an Extension programme that challenges students and fosters academic scholarship and personal capability; the school also runs library-led initiatives and reading challenges such as the Fiction 40 Reading Challenge.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Abbey places safety and wellbeing at the heart of school life. The Senior School provides dedicated teaching to support personal, social, health and economic development. The wellbeing provision includes access to school nurses, a counsellor and a chaplain via the Wellbeing Hub, with open‑door support for students. The school runs wellbeing and mental health policies and trains staff to support students, including a Mental Health First Aiders program in which 20-30 Year 12 students are trained each year.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Abbey is a mainstream independent school. A whole-school SENDCo supports individual needs and those who require help with English as an Additional Language. There is small group or 1:1 reading with specialist staff across the school. The SEND policy and the accessibility policy are published on the website.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Abbey provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision to support pupils who speak English as an additional language. English is the common teaching and social language, and multilingualism is valued. The provision uses short, high-impact interventions and continuous formative assessments to tailor learning. Pupils aged nine to thirteen who require extra help may access the Fresh Start phonics intervention.

Mental Wellbeing
Positive mental health and wellbeing are essential at The Abbey. The school has a Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy. The Wellbeing Hub provides open access to school nurses, a counsellor and a chaplain. Each year, 20-30 Year 12 students are trained as Mental Health First Aiders.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding and the welfare of pupils are a top priority at The Abbey. Staff and governors are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare. The school has a dedicated Designated Safeguarding Team for Nursery, Junior and Senior sections, with detailed contact information. The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is published on the site.
Parent Experience

History
1871 The Blenheim House Ladies' School admitted girls. 1887 The Blenheim House Ladies' School became The Reading High School under Miss Gordon Calthrop. 1900s The current Abbey main building was purchased through subscriptions by Governors, Parents and Friends of the School, and in 1905 the Abbey moved to Kendrick Road. 1920s The first swimming bath was created, with later additions including gym, science labs, art rooms and language labs. The Transforming Lives Campaign coordinates fundraising with four funds—the Annual Fund, the 1887 Fund, the Capital Fund and the Legacy Fund—to transform lives at The Abbey.

Community
The Abbey is an all-girls community of learning and brilliant experiences. It is a diverse, down-to-earth community full of enthusiasm, spark and energy. The school focuses on individual care and works with families to support each student in realizing her potential. There are opportunities across the widest spectrum of learning and activities, and a warm, collaborative atmosphere defines everyday life at The Abbey. There are annual events such as graduation and Speech Day that bring the community together.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Abbey Parents Society (TAPS) plays a vital role in supporting the school and offering opportunities to connect and celebrate. There are events every term, including the Candle-Lit Procession, and there have been movie screenings, quiz nights, BBQs and more. Year group parents meet via TAPS for evenings out. Senior School parents can join weekly coffee mornings open to groups from all years, along with Heads' breakfasts and discussion evenings, and attend concerts, fixtures and performances.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located in Reading city centre, The Abbey uses a mix of on-site facilities and local outdoor spaces. It is described as bigger on the inside than it appears and supplements its grounds with resources drawn from across Reading. Throughout the academic year the school makes use of local spaces such as Palmer Park Stadium, the River Thames, Chiltern Hills, and Parithian Climbing Centre to support learning and activities. The city-centre location and use of nearby parks, the river and hills provide a flexible learning environment.

Sports Facilities
The Abbey has an all-weather astro pitch suitable for hockey and football. There is a 25m x 10m indoor swimming pool with diving boards and a depth of 1.2–3.5m. Lacrosse nets are available on site for training and matches. The pool and astro pitch are used for school programmes and are available for hire to external groups.

Academic Facilities
Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught in specialist laboratories with four dedicated labs for each subject, and there is a practical Computing Lab for construction, robotics and network build. The London Library provides Sixth Form access to a collection of over one million books and periodicals. The Library is central to learning, hosting author visits, clubs and reading initiatives. The Junior School has a dedicated Library, a Fab Lab and a Science Lab used in lessons and co-curricular activities.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extension is a core feature of The Abbey's Senior School, embedded in daily learning. The Scholars' Programme runs online groups with weekly events, and there are 30+ open-access university courses plus iPortfolios to document learning. Extension activities include Learning Festival, Curiosity Week and ARCH talks, supported by a Library that hosts author visits and clubs. The Scholars' Award in Sixth Form recognises substantial independent projects. The Abbey Junior School offers extra-curricular clubs such as Nature Detectives, Coding and Story Writing.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Abbey offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities that develop intellectual interests beyond the classroom. Dozens of clubs are available, including Debate Club, Coding Club, ICT/Computing Drop-in, Science Quiz Club, Cipher Club, Design Ventura, and Creative Writing, with further offerings in Senior School such as Politics Club, Microloan and Amnesty Group. Open Studios and other academic-themed activities run alongside regular competitions and showcases, supporting enquiry and independent learning. The programme fosters opportunities to explore ideas, collaborate on projects and develop critical thinking.

Arts & Creative
The Abbey's music programme is nationally renowned, with an instrumental and vocal lessons team delivering around 150 weekly lessons and a wide range of ensembles. There are four choirs, plus an auditioned Chamber Choir, and regular concerts, early-morning Musical Moments, and a House Music competition. The drama department provides multiple productions and collaborates with the Music Department on major productions such as the school musical, supported by staff and a Theatre Artist in Residence. Art is celebrated through Open Studios, gallery displays in the Turret House gallery space, and the Art Scholarship programme, including the annual Art Tea and House Art celebrations.

Cultural & Language
Language clubs include French Club, German Club and British Sign Language. The Senior School emphasises language learning as a gateway to global understanding, with languages described as unlocking a world of discovery. Languages underpin cross-curricular learning and opportunities to engage with global topics. Language learning is integrated across year groups to broaden cultural awareness and communication skills.

Social & Hobbies
There is a busy menu of lunchtime clubs such as Art Club, Audio Book Club, Book Club, and Mindful Colouring and Relaxation. After-school options include Ballet, Dance, Circus Skills, Gardening, Knitting, Origami, and other crafts, alongside sports. Performing arts and music ensembles provide regular opportunities to perform, with drama productions and musical events forming a key part of school life. The programme supports a wide range of social and creative hobbies, including clubs like Philosophy Shop, Fashion Drawing, and a variety of craft and literary activities.

Community & Service
The Abbey uses a four-house system (Carrington, Ducat, Kensington, Paget) to foster community, collaboration and friendly competition. There are community events such as the Fun Run and Sports days that involve families and staff. Senior School offers service- and charity-oriented clubs, including Amnesty Group, Refugee Club, Microloan, and other student-led initiatives, with leadership roles through the Student Council and year-group councils. These structures encourage teamwork, social responsibility and active contribution to the school and wider community.

Leadership & Professional
In the Junior School, every form has a leader and there are early leadership opportunities such as School Council, Food Forum or Digital Leaders from Upper I, with prefect and House Captain roles available in the final year. The Senior School features a Student Council run by a Sixth Form team, and students may become ambassadors, captains in sport, music, drama and art, or Head/Deputy Head Girls, with opportunities to lead in communications and alumnae relations. Leadership is embedded across subject and co-curricular activities, empowering students to shape their community and future pathways. Students regularly take on responsibilities that build project management, teamwork and professional skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Core school sports include hockey, netball, swimming, biathlon, cross-country, rounders, tennis, diving, athletics and gymnastics. The Outdoor Education programme is progressive and includes local and overseas experiences, with activities such as camping, map reading, rock climbing and bushcraft, extending to residential trips and expeditions. Wellbeing is supported through clubs such as Mindful Colouring and Relaxation, Happiness Club, and Yoga, alongside performance-based events like HMAD (House Music and Drama) that promote confidence and teamwork. The Abbey also offers a wide range of sport, dance and gymnastic showcases and opportunities to develop physical and mental resilience.
Languages

Language Provision
In Year 7, French, German, Spanish and Mandarin are studied on a language carousel, with pupils choosing which languages to study in Lower IV and beyond. Latin is taught in Lower III, with accelerated courses available for the most committed linguists. All languages are offered at GCSE and A Level. The languages department is supported by native-speaking linguists, foreign language assistants, language clubs and cross-curricular language activities, and there are regular language-related trips abroad to deepen cultural understanding.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
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Admissions

Admissions
1. Talk to us: If new to the independent sector, families have questions to help inform their decision. The Abbey invites contact by phone on 01189 876992 or by email admissions@theabbey.co.uk, and the team will call back as soon as possible. 2. Make an enquiry: Complete the enquiry form to receive important information and announcements. 3. Visit us: The Abbey welcomes visits for Little Knellies (ages 3–4), Junior School (Reception to Year 6), and Senior School and Sixth Form (Years 7–13); regular open events and tours are held and individual meetings can be arranged. 4. Register: After visiting, complete the registration form; there is a non-refundable fee of £120 (VAT inclusive). For international students, complete the overseas registration form with a non-refundable fee of £300. Once received, the formal assessment process begins. 5. Assessment: The process includes a meeting or interview to get to know the child, plus assessments in Maths, English and Reasoning; in younger years this is informal and based on quizzes, while Year 7 assessments are more formal; applicants for Year 12 undertake a 45‑minute General Academic paper and two 30‑minute exams or interviews in subjects of study. Information from the previous setting may also be requested. 6. Joining the school: If offered, a place is secured with a refundable £1,000 deposit; £500 is credited to the first term's fees and £500 is refunded at the end of the daughter's education (subject to extras). Key dates for September 2027 entry include: Open Morning on 9 May (Year 7 and Year 12), Taster Day on 17 June (Year 7) and 15 June (Year 12), Scholarship and Registration deadlines in late October/early November, bursary deadlines, and entrance tests/interviews in early November.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available in the Senior School to recognise excellence in academic study, art, drama, music and sport. Academic Scholarships are awarded to candidates for Years 7 and 12 without a separate application form; Year 7 awards are typically worth 10% of fees (some exceptional cases up to 20%), and internal candidates sit related assessments to ensure a fair process; Year 12 entrants sit a General Academic Paper and may be assessed similarly to internal candidates. All Abbey students may be considered for an Academic Scholarship at the end of Year 9. There is a Scholars' Programme that extends opportunities for those identified as Academic Scholars. Specialist Scholarships exist in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, with Year 7 applications followed by interviews or auditions if shortlisted; awards remain in place for specific periods and may apply to the Sixth Form. The Art Scholarship Programme includes a portfolio submission (up to 15 slides evidencing school and independent work, drawing from observation, and 3D work), with a shortlisting and interview process for shortlisted candidates; the Drama Scholarship Programme involves preparing a two‑minute monologue and participating in a group workshop, with interviews for entrants into Year 7 or the Sixth Form; the Music Scholarship Programme provides a package including free tuition on one instrument, participation in events and masterclasses, and a £600 annual fee discount; the Sport Scholarship Programme offers mentoring, coaching access, fitness and nutrition guidance, attendance at annual sports awards, and a £600 annual discount. Awards and assessments balance academic potential with talent in the highlighted disciplines.
School Events
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