FREE Download: Kendrick School 2026 11+ Exam & Year 7 Entry 11 Plus Guide

Kendrick School, a selective grammar school for girls in Reading, Berkshire, is highly regarded. It is consistently acknowledged among the best state schools in the UK. The school has proudly maintained an "outstanding" Ofsted rating across all its inspections.

For parents aiming for 2026 entry, navigating the Kendrick School 11+ Exam and admissions journey is key. This selective institution provides education for girls aged 11 to 18, encompassing Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Kendrick School is renowned for fostering well-rounded individuals, extending beyond academic excellence. Its unique Kendrick Student Leaders and dedicated Wellbeing Ambassadors ensure a supportive environment, empowering girls from Year 7 to thrive. The school's pledge to kindness and respect underpins a community where every student can flourish.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Kendrick School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Girls' Grammar School
• Boarding Type: Day school only
• Gender Type: Girls
• Religion: Does not have a religious character
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 900+
• GCSE Results (2025): 90% of grades awarded were at grade 9, 8 or 7
• A-Level Results (2025): 79% of grades awarded were at grade A*, A or B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 128
• Exam Board: GL Assessment
• Number of Stages: 1
• School Catchment Area: Not Available
• Sibling Policy: No 
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

This information has been sourced from Get Information About Schools and Kendrick School Official Website.

Attending the Kendrick school open day is a great first step. I have compiled the official Kendrick school 11 plus exam dates to help you plan ahead. Understanding the exact 11+ Exam date and reviewing their Ofsted rating is essential for your daughter’s success.

Below are the important dates schedule to keep your family on track.

Kendrick School, a leading grammar school in Reading, routinely admits pupils into Year 7. For 11+ Exam entry, understanding the application journey is key.

The specific details of the 11 plus exam process are outlined in the school's comprehensive policy documents. Here’s how to navigate the initial steps:

• Initial Admissions: Kendrick School primarily admits students into Year 7 and Year 12. Kendrick School does not use a standard paper or digital SIF. Instead, you must register your daughter directly on the school's portal to take the 11+ entrance exam.
• Accessing Policy Details: For full understanding of application criteria and 11 plus exam registration, refer to the official Kendrick School Admissions Policy. This document provides essential selection process information.
• How to Register for 11+ Exam: The admissions page directs parents to consult the detailed policy for specific registration instructions. Follow official guidance for a valid application for the eleven plus exams.
• Enquiries: For clarification on any 11 plus exam booking or admissions procedure, email the school directly at admissions@kendrick.reading.sch.uk.

You must add Kendrick School to your local council's Common Application Form (CAF), rank it as your first preference, and submit it online before deadline. Non-routine admissions may occur if a vacancy arises in other year groups when a student leaves the school.

The Kendrick School Catchment Area is a significant factor in its highly competitive admissions process for Year 7, following success in the 11 plus test. While the official Admissions page provides general entry information, the school operates a specific oversubscription policy that includes a designated School catchment area.

For the 11+ exam catchment, Kendrick School prioritises applicants based on their entrance test performance, followed by their home address. The school's designated area is divided into two priority zones:

• Priority Area 1: Covers specific postcodes within Reading and immediate surrounding areas (e.g., RG1, parts of RG2, RG30).
• Priority Area 2: Includes a wider range of postcodes across Berkshire and parts of neighbouring counties (e.g., parts of RG2, RG4, RG7, RG10, GU46, SL6).

Additional preference is given to children in care or those eligible for Pupil Premium/Service Premium within these priority areas. Understanding the Kendrick School Catchment Area is crucial for prospective applicants.

I know many parents aspire for their daughters to attend Kendrick School. This highly selective girls' grammar school, located in Reading, Berkshire, is renowned for its academic excellence. It consistently ranks among the best state schools in the country.

Kendrick School is a highly sought-after institution. However, with over 5 applicants for each of the 128 places, securing a spot is incredibly challenging. As an education consultant, I always advise parents to have a robust strategy.

This should include a portfolio of 3 strong grammar school options and 2 high-performing independent school options. This approach significantly increases your daughter's chances of attending an elite school, even if Kendrick isn't the final outcome.

Below is a comparison of top alternative grammar and independent schools. These are frequently considered by families targeting Kendrick School. The data for 2025 results are projections based on recent performance trends.

Why these schools are top alternatives to Kendrick School:

• The Abbey School, Reading: This independent girls' school is local to Kendrick. It offers a similarly rigorous academic environment. Its bespoke entrance exam ensures a thorough assessment of potential.
• Wycombe High School: A leading girls' grammar school in Buckinghamshire. It uses the GL Assessment (Bucks SET) exam. This makes preparation for Kendrick School transferable.
• Herschel Grammar School, Slough: Part of the Slough Consortium, this co-educational grammar also uses GL Assessment. It provides another excellent state option within a reasonable commute.
• St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon: This independent girls' school is known for exceptional academic results. It offers a broad curriculum and strong Oxbridge preparation.
• Aylesbury High School: Another highly-regarded girls' grammar in Buckinghamshire. Like Wycombe High, it uses the GL Assessment (Bucks SET). This offers a parallel application pathway.

Advisory Note: Kendrick School is a "Gold Standard" for many. However, with fierce competition (over 5 applicants for each of the 128 places), a strategic approach is essential. A 3-school grammar strategy combined with a 2-school private strategy is the most effective way to mitigate this extreme competition and secure an elite educational future for your daughter.

Kendrick School is a highly sought-after grammar school, and understanding the competition is key for prospective pupils. According to the National School Census, the number of applications for Kendrick School has consistently been high.

How hard is it to get into Kendrick School?

Given the high application numbers, it's natural to wonder, is Kendrick School hard to get into ?

While the statistics show a challenging admissions process, it's important to approach this with a positive and strategic mindset. Success in the eleven plus exam for Kendrick School is certainly achievable with dedicated preparation and a clear understanding of the exam format.

Many bright and determined girls secure their places each year. Don't let the competition deter you; instead, let it fuel your preparation. To understand what this preparation entails, let's look at the specific exam format for Kendrick School in the next section.

​​The Kendrick School 11 Plus Test is administered by GL Assessment and consists of two separate papers. Each paper is approximately 60 minutes in length and comprises multiple-choice questions. The scores from these papers are standardised to ensure fairness across different testing cohorts.

The examination covers a range of core academic and reasoning skills, as detailed below:

For comprehensive information regarding the application process and selection criteria, please refer to the official guidelines. As stated in the Kendrick School Admissions Policy, prospective parents should familiarise themselves with all requirements.

Kendrick School does not publish an official 11 plus pass mark. For strong Kendrick School eleven plus exam results, PiAcademy recommends aiming for 95%+ in practice papers.

​​Kendrick School uses the GL Assessment format for its 11+ entrance examination. The test assesses candidates in four key subjects: English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning (which includes elements of Spatial Reasoning). Understanding the typical weighting of topics within each subject is crucial for effective preparation.

English

The English paper primarily focuses on comprehension, vocabulary, and core literacy skills. Candidates should be proficient in understanding various text types and applying grammatical rules.

• Comprehension (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry)
• Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Word Meanings)
• Spelling & Punctuation
• Grammar (Sentence Structure, Parts of Speech)

Recommended PiAcademy Packs:

• 11+ GL English Practice Papers
• 11+ Comprehension Practice Papers
• 11+ Vocabulary Practice Papers
• 11+ Spelling & Punctuation Practice Papers
• 11+ English Past Papers

Mathematics

The Mathematics paper covers a broad range of topics from the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum, with an emphasis on problem-solving and arithmetic fluency.

• Number and Place Value
• Arithmetic (Four Operations, Fractions, Decimals, Percentages)
• Measurement (Money, Time, Length, Mass, Capacity)
• Geometry (Properties of Shapes, Position and Direction)
• Ratio, Proportion & Algebra (Simple Equations, Sequences)
• Statistics (Data Interpretation)

Recommended PiAcademy Packs:

• 11+ GL Maths Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths Topic-wise Practice Papers
• 11+ Maths Past Papers

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning tests a child's ability to understand and reason with words, language, and text. This includes identifying patterns, codes, and relationships between words.

• Word Relationships (Synonyms, Antonyms, Odd One Out)
• Code Breaking & Logic Puzzles
• Letter & Number Sequences
• Missing Letters/Words
• Word Puzzles (e.g., Hidden Words, Word Ladders)

Recommended PiAcademy Packs:

• 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Non-Verbal Reasoning, including Spatial Reasoning, assesses problem-solving skills using diagrams, shapes, and patterns rather than words or numbers. It requires identifying relationships and transformations.

• Shape Analogies & Series
• Odd One Out & Matrices
• Cubes & 3D Shapes (Nets, Rotations)
• Reflections & Rotations
• Codes

Recommended PiAcademy Packs:

• 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers

​Preparing for the highly competitive Kendrick School 11 plus mock exam requires strategic practice. Regular 11 plus mock tests are essential for success, helping students familiarise themselves with the exam format and timings. They pinpoint weak areas, allowing targeted revision to improve speed and accuracy under exam conditions.

Parents can also check our free 11 plus mock test to gauge their child's current level.

Finding the right 11 plus mock test Reading resources is key for local applicants.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Thursday 3rd September to Friday 23rd October 2026
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 2nd November to Friday 18th December 2026
• Spring Half Term 1: Tuesday 5th January to Friday 12th February 2027
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 22nd February to Thursday 25th March 2027
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 12th April to Friday 28th May 2027
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 7th June to Thursday 15th July 2027

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for Kendrick School.

• GL Assessment Familiarisation Materials
• UK Govt. - Get Information on Kendrick School Page
• Kendrick School Ofsted Report
• Kendrick School Admissions Policy
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page