The WREN School
Reading, RG30 2BB · Reading · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 10 secondary schools in Reading we can score, 11 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 3.3/10 against 746 of them, against 2.8/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.47 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.5 · 22 | 30% | 0.65 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.13 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.2 · 16 | 10% | 0.16 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The WREN School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 41.0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.13 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 931 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,176. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific areas did the April 2026 Ofsted inspection highlight for development?
What Ofsted said about The WREN School
Overview
The WREN School is described as a place where pupils are "extremely proud" and feel safe within a "welcoming and considerate" community. Leaders demonstrate an "accurate and detailed understanding" of the school’s strengths and priorities, ensuring that actions are "unfailingly in the best interests of all pupils." While most aspects of the school meet the expected standard, specific areas require attention to ensure consistent improvement.
Strengths
- Pupils "behave well" and lessons are "calm and settled," with staff effectively supporting those who need help managing their emotions.
- Attendance is generally good, with leaders being "proactive" in removing barriers and providing "individualised support" for those finding attendance difficult.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "well supported," benefiting from a "new specially resourced provision" that sits at the "heart of the school."
- Teachers possess "detailed" subject knowledge, enabling them to design learning activities that help pupils "connect learning and build on what they already know."
- Sixth-form students act as "positive role models," contributing to the wider school through volunteering and helping younger pupils.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure a "consistent approach across the school in how staff check pupils' understanding effectively and address gaps in pupils' knowledge."
- Leaders should continue to "further reduce levels of persistent absence."
- Leaders should ensure that the sixth-form curriculum meets the needs of students so that they "achieve consistently well," as recent improvements are "too early to see the overall impact."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.0 |
| 2024/25 | 44.8 |
| 2025/26 | 39.2 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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