An elite boys school in Reading has been rated ‘outstanding’ by education inspectors.

Reading School in Erleigh Road is a state selective grammar school for boys and one of the oldest education institutions in the town, as it is thought to date back to 1125.

At the time, it was founded as part of Reading Abbey, with the school being re-founded by King Henry VII as a Grammar School, eventually moving to the Erleigh Road site in 1871.

Now the school with this storied history has maintained its ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating.

Inspectors observed that education at the school is ‘highly effective’ with improved outcomes for positive experiences for boys who study there.

The inspectors said: “Children thrive because of the warm and caring relationships that they have with staff.

“They are enthusiastic when talking about the staff who care for them and the extra support that they have for their academic studies.

“Staff support children to become rounded individuals academically and socially.

“Staff know each child extremely well.”

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As well as mainstream teaching, Reading School was also praised for the life skills that the boys learn.

The inspectors said: “Children enjoy a wide range of activities both on site and in the community.

“They learn new skills, such as cooking and how to share communal kitchens in preparation for going to university.

“Half-termly ‘big trips’ are particularly enjoyed.

“Children talked excitedly about canoeing and going to France, among many other experiences.”

Inspectors specifically observed the boarding school during the visit.

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The boarding school was inspected over three days in November, with the rating being published this month.

There are currently 88 boarding pupils taught there.

The inspectors said: “Parents praise the support, commitment and dedication of the boarding staff.

“They are pleased with the level of care that their children receive and how much progress their children make.”

The inspectors judged that the boarding staff have ‘an exceptional understanding’ of the needs of the pupils in their care and their family dynamics, which is accompanied by a ‘strong safeguarding culture’.

The boarding provision at Reading School has been rated ‘Outstanding’ since 2008.

The latest rating follows the education institution being named The Secondary School of the Year for the South East in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2024.

Boys aged 11-18 are taught at the school, which has an entrance test.

Registration for the test for boys hoping to enter Year 7 for both day and boarding school pupils opens on April 1 and closes on June 14.

Meanwhile, registration for boys hoping to enter the Sixth Form this September closed in January.