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Book a Free ConsultationKendrick School in Reading is one of the most academically distinguished state schools in the country. Consistently ranked among the top girls' grammars in Berkshire and the wider Thames Valley, it sends a significant proportion of its sixth form to Russell Group universities each year, including regular Oxbridge offers. For families in Reading and the surrounding area, securing a place at Kendrick represents a genuine opportunity — a state school education that competes with the best independent schools in the region, without the fees. That opportunity comes with a demanding admissions process, and understanding exactly what is required is the first step towards preparing your daughter well.
Kendrick's academic record speaks for itself. Results at GCSE and A-level are consistently exceptional, and the school's culture is one where intellectual curiosity is genuinely valued. Girls who thrive at Kendrick tend to be those who enjoy being challenged, who read widely, and who are comfortable working at pace alongside equally able peers. Beyond results, the school has a strong reputation for producing confident, articulate young women who go on to competitive university courses and careers.
For Reading families, Kendrick also represents something rare: a highly selective state school with a genuine local identity. It draws from across the Reading consortium area, meaning your daughter would be educated alongside girls from a wide range of backgrounds — all of whom have earned their place through the same rigorous process.
Kendrick School uses the Reading Selective Eligibility Test, known as the Reading SET, which is administered as part of the Reading consortium admissions process. The test is designed to assess academic potential rather than curriculum knowledge alone, though strong core skills are essential to perform well under timed conditions.
The Reading SET consists of two papers. The first covers English, including reading comprehension and a writing task. The comprehension section requires children to read an unseen passage and answer questions that test inference, vocabulary in context, and the ability to explain a writer's choices — not simply retrieve information. The writing task assesses clarity, structure, and the ability to write with purpose and control. The second paper covers mathematics, testing numerical reasoning, problem-solving, and the application of mathematical thinking to unfamiliar problems. Questions are not limited to straightforward calculation; children are expected to reason through multi-step problems and show their working clearly.
Timing is tight across both papers. Many children who are academically capable still struggle because they have not practised working at the pace the exam demands. This is one of the most common preparation gaps we see.
Kendrick admits approximately 120 girls per year. Given the school's reputation, the number of children sitting the Reading SET each year is substantial, and Kendrick consistently attracts applications from some of the strongest candidates in the region. Entry is highly selective — this is not a school where borderline preparation is likely to be sufficient.
The Reading SET does not publish a fixed pass mark. Instead, children are ranked by their scores, and places are offered to the highest-performing eligible applicants. This means the effective threshold shifts year on year depending on the cohort. What remains constant is that children who perform well tend to have prepared thoroughly, practised under timed conditions, and developed genuine fluency in both English and mathematics.
For most children, serious preparation should begin no later than the start of Year 5, with structured work continuing through to the exam in Year 6. Starting earlier is not wasted effort — it allows time to identify and address genuine gaps rather than simply drilling practice papers at the last minute.
A realistic preparation plan for the Reading SET should include:
One preparation tip specific to the Reading SET: the comprehension questions frequently ask children to explain how a writer creates an effect, not just what happens in the text. Many children are taught to identify language features but not to explain their impact precisely. Practising this type of analytical response — using short, specific quotations and explaining the effect on the reader — is one of the most targeted things you can do to improve performance on this paper.
At Leading Tuition, we provide 1-to-1 specialist tutoring for children preparing for the Reading SET and Kendrick School entry. Our tutors are familiar with the specific demands of this exam — the style of comprehension questions, the level of mathematical reasoning required, and the pace at which children need to work to complete both papers effectively.
We begin by assessing where your daughter currently is, identifying the areas that will make the most difference to her score, and building a structured programme around her individual needs. We do not use a one-size-fits-all approach, because the children who sit this exam are not one-size-fits-all learners. Preparation for Kendrick requires precision, and that is what we aim to provide.
How early should we start preparing for the Reading SET?
Most children benefit from beginning structured preparation in Year 5, giving twelve months or more before the exam. Starting earlier allows time to build skills properly rather than rushing through practice papers. If your daughter is already in Year 6, focused preparation is still worthwhile — but the programme will need to be more intensive to cover the ground available.
Is there a published pass mark or score threshold for Kendrick School?
No fixed pass mark is published. Kendrick offers places to the highest-scoring eligible applicants, so the effective threshold varies each year depending on the cohort. This makes it difficult to target a specific score — the more useful goal is to prepare as thoroughly as possible and perform to the best of your daughter's ability on the day.
Can the Reading SET be sat more than once?
No. The Reading SET is sat once per admissions cycle, in the autumn of Year 6. There is no opportunity to resit within the same year. This makes thorough preparation before the single sitting particularly important.
What are the options if our daughter narrowly misses the mark?
If your daughter does not receive an offer from Kendrick, it is worth understanding where she placed on the ranked list, as waiting list movement does sometimes occur. Beyond that, Reading has other strong secondary options, and some families consider independent school entry or reapplying to grammar schools in neighbouring areas. A tutor who knows the local landscape can help you think through the realistic alternatives based on your daughter's specific results.
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Book a Free ConsultationHow does the consultation work?
We’ll learn more about your child, the subject or admissions support they need, and the outcomes you’re aiming for before recommending the next step.
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Can you help with specialist support like UCAT or Oxbridge admissions?
Yes. We support Primary, 11+, 13+, GCSE, A-Level, SATs, UCAT, MMI interview coaching, Oxbridge admissions, university admissions, and personal statement support.
Book a free consultation and we’ll help you find the right support for your child.
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