List of Independent Schools in Berkshire

There are a range of independent schools in Berkshire covering mixed schools, schools for boys and schools for girls.

Below you’ll find a list of those private schools that we have included which have entry into year 7 (11 Plus entry).

Berkshire Independent Schools accepting entry into year seven

Downe House – Thatcham – Berkshire

Downe House is an all girls private school.

Downe House- 581 pupils.

“Downe House encourages girls to strive for their highest academic results, together with opportunities to develop personal and social skills. It offers a unique all round education. The school is very strong indeed in music, drama and sports; the creative arts departments are very active and there is a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Examination results are excellent at all levels.”

School Website: www.downehouse.net

Exam Format – ISEB Select Pretest and school’s own. The ISEB Select Pretest is online and includes the following:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

This is followed by an English essay

Heathfield School – Ascot – Berkshire

Heathfield School is an all girls private school

Heathfield School – 235 pupils

“Heathfield is a boarding and day school with a fine tradition which embraces the 21st Century with verve and vigour. This verve and vigour infiltrates every area of our school, providing a dynamic framework within which each girl becomes a key part of an exciting learning community. From the moment a girl arrives at Heathfield, she is nurtured and encouraged to discover and develop her talents and abilities. Each girl’s contribution to the community is recognised and valued while discipline is enforced firmly but fairly.”

School Website: www.heathfieldschool.net

Exam Format – CEM Select. This is an online test that covers:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Holme Grange School – Wokingham – Berkshire

Holme Grange School is a mixed private school

Holme Grange School – 675 pupils

“We are a thriving independent co-educational school for 2 -16 year olds in Berkshire. We offer a unique educational experience in an idyllic setting in 21 acres of Wokingham countryside. Each pupil can develop in an environment offering a wide variety of opportunities in the classroom, on the stage or sports field and in our woodland outdoor learning areas.”

School Website: www.holmegrange.org

Exam Format – CEM Select. This is an online test that covers:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Leighton Park – Reading – Berkshire

Leighton Park is a mixed private school.

Leighton Park- 465 pupils.

“Leighton Park is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 11-18, drawn from over 20 countries. Outstanding academic achievement and pastoral care are supported by the school’s distinctive ethos, based upon Quaker values. The beautiful park provides an oasis of calm close to Reading town centre, an ideal environment for pupils to live and breathe; study and learn, grow and mature.”

School Website: www.leightonpark.com

Exam Format – School’s own. This will typically cover the following:

• English
• Maths

Pangbourne College – Pangbourne – Berkshire

Pangbourne College is a mixed private school.

Pangbourne College- 408 pupils.

“”We are here to study and learn” reads the first line of the Code of Conduct of Pangbourne College, a highly distinctive school where developing individual talent (sport, drama, music) and fostering a real enthusiasm for learning, is a key priority. Students study a wide-ranging curriculum and Sixth Formers can choose between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate.”

School Website: www.pangbourne.com

Exam Format – This is online exam and covers the following:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Reading Blue Coat School – Reading – Berkshire

Reading Blue Coat School is a mixed private school

Reading Blue Coat School – 800 pupils

“I hope you find Reading Blue Coat to be a gem of a site as well as a wonderfully happy and progressive school. To be kind and engaged is what we expect of every member of our community. Kind to one another and to ourselves, and engaged with learning and the wealth of opportunities that can be enjoyed in and away from the classroom.”

School Website: www.rbcs.org.uk

Exam Format – CEM Select. This is an online test that covers:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

St George’s Ascot – Ascot – Berkshire

St George’s Ascot is a all girls private school

St George’s Ascot – 270 pupils

“St George’s is a place where girls flourish academically, creatively, physically and morally, a place where risks can be taken, lessons are learnt and challenges are welcomed. There is no such thing as a typical St George’s girl as each of our pupils arrive with their own set of talents and interests. It is our privilege to encourage and challenge each and every one of them to develop a genuine understanding of who she is and support them to achieve the future of their choice.”

Website: www.stgeorges-ascot.org.uk

Exam Format – School’s own and CEM Select. This typically covers the following topics:

• English and Maths (school’s own)
• English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (CEM Select)

Queen Anne’s School – Reading – Berkshire

Queen Anne’s School is an all girls private school.

Queen Anne’s School- 441 pupils.

“Queen Anne’s is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18. It is a vibrant, happy school with an excellent academic record, producing confident, motivated individuals, with a strong sense of community. Excellent facilities include a sports centre, swimming pool, performing arts centre, science centre, art centre and seven boarding and day houses. In September 2016, Queen Anne’s officially opened The Space, a new award-winning, state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre.”

School Website: www.qas.org.uk

Exam Format – School’s own. This will typically cover the following:

• English
• Maths (online)
• Verbal Reasoning (online)
• Non-Verbal Reasoning (online)

St Gabriel’s School – Newbury – Berkshire

St Gabriel’s School is is a mixed private school from age 0-11 but an all girls private school from age 12-18.

St Gabriel’s School- 454 pupils.

“St Gabriel’s Independent Day School is a forward-thinking school with traditional values for boys 6 months – 11 years and girls 6 months – 18 years.”

School Website: www.stgabriels.co.uk

Exam Format – School’s own. This will typically cover the following:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning

St Joseph’s College – Reading – Berkshire

St Joseph’s College is a mixed private school.

St Joseph’s College- 516 pupils.

“St Joseph’s College’s vision is to encourage, inspire, challenge and support our pupils to fulfill their potential in a community founded on Christian values. They want to inspire each pupil, so that they set alight the intellectual curiosity and creativity in each child, for them to be excited about learning and gain a love of learning. They want to support each pupil so that they flourish and grow, to provide a friendly environment where all pupils feel happy and safe and take responsibility for one another.”

School Website: www.sjcr.org.uk

Exam Format – School’s own and CEM Select. This will typically include the following:

• English
• Maths
• English, Maths, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (CEM Select)

The Abbey – Reading – Berkshire

The Abbey is an all girls private school.

The Abbey- 1050 pupils.

“The Abbey is a dynamic and vibrant community of over 1,000 girls, 3-18. It is consistently a top performer academically (with a choice of IB or 28 A levels). They offer the broadest educational experience for pupils of all ages with inspiring teaching and strong pastoral care. Enrichment comes through extra-curricular activities and opportunities in Music, Drama, Sport, DofE, trips and clubs.”

School Website: www.theabbey.co.uk

Exam Format – School’s own. This will typically cover the following:

• English
• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning

Preparing for entry into an Independent School

We have developed a section on how to prepare for Independent school exams and how to prepare for Independent School interviews so do please feel free to use these resources if you would like to.

If you are thinking of trying for an Independent School scholarship or bursary then please see our information page on that topic.

Equally, many independent schools publish past papers and we have past papers and sample papers which are useful for preparation in all the core areas:

Free sample 11 Plus English practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Maths practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers

Free sample 11 Plus Non-Verbal Reasoning practice and past papers