The Abbey School Reading, The Abbey School in Reading

• Location: Reading, Berkshire,
• Year of foundation: 1887,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of education: for girls.

The Abbey School Reading — is one of the leading independent schools for girls aged 3 to 18.

A reporting system operates in primary and secondary school that informs all parents about their daughters’ progress. The complex of reporting activities includes regular information mailings, parent meetings, open lessons, and workshops.

Girls arrive at the educational building by 8:30 to complete registration at 8:35. Lessons end at 15:45, but students can stay until 17:45; if they remain after classes, the remaining time before going home will be spent under supervision in the «Homework After School» club.

The Abbey School Reading has implemented a House system:

• Carrington,
• Ducat,
• Kensington,
• Paget.

This system allows students to demonstrate their leadership qualities as class monitors, and make friends with girls from other classes. Together, participants from the same faculty will implement creative projects and take part in themed events.

A team of Holroyd Howe chefs works at The Abbey School Reading, offering students a healthy and balanced menu that takes into account different dietary preferences. Main courses are served to children at communal tables; after the meal, the girls clear their own dishes and take desserts. Students are provided with breakfast, lunch and daily snacks every day, and they can choose between water or milk as drinks during the school day. The school menu is published on the My School website so that parents are aware of their daughters' diet.

In their free time, girls can participate in themed clubs and sections. The administration of The Abbey School Reading regularly organizes various events, invites external speakers for lectures and master classes, and does everything to ensure that students become multifaceted and successful individuals within the school walls. In the graduating classes, for example, great attention is paid to art, drama, music, and sports. Every year, a large-scale school show — either a musical or a dance performance — takes place on campus. Another annual bright event is the grand all-school HMAD Music and Drama Festival.

Among the major thematic clubs are Gold D of E and entrepreneurial programs, including Tycoon and its own social entrepreneurship program in partnership with Reading School and Henley School of Business. Together with the boys' school, the girls' institution also holds extracurricular formats, such as quizzes, barbecues and cooking competitions.

Outside of campus, students go to theaters for world-class musicals such as «Hamilton», «Wicked» or «Six», and they are allowed to have pajama parties in common rooms in their dormitories.

Another format of extracurricular activity on campus is membership in the Student Council: this student organization deals with issues of sustainable development, diversity, nutrition and much more.

In the upper grades of elementary school and in graduating classes, most girls hold certain leadership positions: there are class monitors and their deputies, captains on sports teams, theatrical and musical soloists, teacher assistants. Students participate in organizing events for graduates, maintain contact with elementary school, engage in marketing, science, and digital innovation.

• Teachers actively and closely cooperate with the families of students, which means parents are always aware of their daughters' successes and problems. In addition, parents can come to school any week of the year: for example, open breakfasts with coffee are held on Fridays, introductory classes on Saturdays, class meetings and theatrical performances throughout the year.
• The Abbey School Reading provides a high level of academic preparation, opportunities for extracurricular activities and high-quality pastoral care. There is a friendly, warm atmosphere here.
• Students feel calmer and more confident in an independent school. Research shows that graduates of all-girls schools are more self-confident and stronger in mixed company than their peers from coeducational schools – they know their opinion matters and will be heard, so they live accordingly.
• All former pupils receive lifetime access to the local career network, which includes women from all industries and professions.
• Students in grades 5 through 9 and future graduates regularly meet with the principal in small groups throughout the year to share their ideas for the development of the institution. This is one of those initiatives that shows how important girls' opinions are to the school administration.

In September 2023, a new center for senior girls opened on the campus of The Abbey School Reading. It is a spacious three-story building equipped with the latest technology, featuring a separate dining room and a large common dining area with a cafeteria on the first floor where staff work, so girls can eat, study and relax in one place. Specialized classrooms with chalkboard walls and a shared learning center are also located here. The upper floors are comfortable, cozy, quiet and fun, and stunning views stretch for miles from the windows. There is Nora's cafe and a spacious coworking space for collaborative work.

Additional expenses:

• individual music lessons,
• computer rental for independent study,
• food and accommodation,
• excursions.

Admission to The Abbey School Reading consists of standard stages:

• completing the application form,
• completing the registration form and making a non-refundable deposit,
• receiving an invitation to an informal interview with one of our employees,
• taking tests in mathematics, English and logic. Applicants for admission to the graduating class take a general academic test for 45 minutes and 2 subject-specific tests for 30 minutes each.

The administration strongly recommends visiting the campus in person before the start of the admissions campaign to see how everything is organized here: guests will receive a warm welcome and a tour of the buildings, which will help them understand if this place is right for each girl.

The administration offers scholarships to students in upper grades. To qualify for payments, the parents of the girl must apply as early as primary and secondary school. Educational grants are not given to everyone – only those who have excelled in areas such as science, art, theater, music, and sports. Selection is based on a competitive assessment process, with the academic performance of applicants remaining anonymous.

Another type of scholarships at The Abbey School Reading is related to the financial situation of students’ families: in this selection process, not the girls' achievements are considered, but the assets and income of their parents. They are assessed and reviewed annually on an individual basis. Academic performance of the girls also plays an important role, sometimes becoming a decisive factor.

The school offers a discount for the elder daughter if three girls from one family study at Abbey School Reading simultaneously.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision