Schools in West Berkshire
83 schools in 6 towns: how they were inspected, the best by phase, where places ran out, and the dates to apply.
West Berkshire at a glance
- Schools
- 83 67 state primary, 10 state secondary, 1 sixth-form or college and 5 private. DfE Get Information about Schools, 17 October 2026.
- Good or Outstanding
- 96% 53 of the 55 state schools whose latest Ofsted inspection gave a grade. 18 more have the new report card, which gives no single grade. Ofsted, latest inspections.
- Oversubscribed in 2026
- 18 Of 67 state schools with DfE figures for 2026: more first preferences than places at entry (Reception or Year 7). DfE, school applications and offers, 2026.
- Offer distances held
- 0% How far the last place reached on offer day: held for 0 of 77 state schools that take an intake. West Berkshire's published offer-day figures.
The best schools in West Berkshire
Primary
| Place in West Berkshire | School | Town | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bradfield C.E. Primary School | Reading | 1st (1/56) |
| 2 | Enborne C.E. Primary School | Newbury | Top 4% (2/56) |
| 3 | Streatley Church of England Primary School | Reading | Top 6% (3/56) |
| 4 | Theale C.E. Primary School | Reading | Top 8% (4/56) |
| 5 | Yattendon C.E. Primary School | Thatcham | Top 9% (5/56) |
| 6 | Robert Sandilands Primary School and Nursery | Newbury | Top 11% (6/56) |
| 7 | St Paul's Catholic Primary School | Reading | Top 13% (7/56) |
| 8 | Birch Copse Primary School | Reading | Top 15% (8/56) |
| 9 | St Finian's Catholic Primary School | Thatcham | Top 17% (9/56) |
| 10 | Hampstead Norreys C.E. Primary School | Thatcham | Top 18% (10/56) |
Ranked on 2025 KS2 results: the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. The same rank as the full West Berkshire primary table (method). Source: DfE, key stage 2 school performance tables; table built 16 October 2026.
Secondary (GCSE)
| Place in West Berkshire | School | Town | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Bartholomew's School | Newbury | 1st (1/10) |
| 2 | The Willink School | Reading | Top 20% (2/10) |
| 3 | The Downs School | Newbury | Top 30% (3/10) |
| 4 | Park House School | Newbury | Top 40% (4/10) |
| 5 | Denefield School | Reading | Top 50% (5/10) |
| 6 | Little Heath School | Reading | (6/10) |
| 7 | Kennet School | Thatcham | (7/10) |
| 8 | Trinity School | Newbury | (8/10) |
| 8 | John O'Gaunt School | Hungerford | (8/10) |
| 10 | Theale Green School | Reading | (10/10) |
Ranked on 2026 GCSE results: Attainment 8, the average grade across eight GCSEs. The same rank as the full West Berkshire secondary table (method). Source: DfE, key stage 4 school performance tables; table built 16 October 2026.
Towns
- Bradfield 1 school · best schools
- Hungerford 6 schools · best schools
- Newbury 27 schools · best schools
- Reading 34 schools · best schools
- Thatcham 14 schools · best schools
Getting in
Starting Reception in September 2027
| Date | What | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 September 2026 | Reception applications open | The council's application form opens. Look at your schools' admission rules and open days now. | West Berkshire council |
| 15 January 2027 | Primary applications close | Apply to your home council (where you live), listing your schools in order of preference. A late application is looked at after every on-time one. | West Berkshire council |
| 16 April 2027 | Primary offer day | Offers arrive by email from your home council. Check which school you were offered. | West Berkshire council |
Starting secondary school (Year 7) in September 2027
| Date | What | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2026 | Year 7 applications open | The council's application form opens. Look at your schools' admission rules and open days now. | West Berkshire council |
| 31 October 2026 | Secondary applications close | Apply to your home council (where you live), listing your schools in order of preference. A late application is looked at after every on-time one. | West Berkshire council |
| 1 March 2027 | Secondary offer day | Offers arrive by email from your home council. Check which school you were offered. | National rule (School Admissions Code) |
Every West Berkshire admission date · After offer day in West Berkshire: replies, waiting lists and appeals
West Berkshire catchment maps: the 10 school catchments we hold, with each map's source and year.
Offer-day distances (how far the last place reached) are held for 0 of 77 state schools (0%). Could we get in? sets your distance beside them.
Private schools, fees and childcare
Private school fees in West Berkshire: we hold checked fees for 2 of 5 private schools.
Childcare costs, town by town: 58 nurseries and pre-schools in West Berkshire, with fees held for 12. Nurseries in West Berkshire by Ofsted rating.
Every school in West Berkshire
Your children and your home, with the schools, the distances and the dates that are yours.Open your plan
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Sources are named beside each figure. How we know · All sources.