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 schools that we have included which have entry into year 7 (11 Plus entry).

Berkshire Independent Schools accepting entry into year seven

Downe House

Downe House is an all girls 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

Leighton Park

Leighton Park is a mixed 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

Pangbourne College

Pangbourne College is a mixed 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

Queen Anne’s School

Queen Anne’s School is an all girls 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

St Gabriel’s School

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

St Joseph’s College

St Joseph’s College is a mixed 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

The Abbey

The Abbey is an all girls 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

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