The Abbey, Reading

The Abbey, Reading

The Abbey is a warm and welcoming community, with each student bringing their own unique talents, interests and character to build an environment that is diverse, inclusive and energetic.

We celebrate growth and achievement in all its varied forms from the Nursery to the Sixth Form and on into adult life.

Over 130 years ago, The Abbey was founded on a spirit of pioneering, brave women and its mission to encourage independent, aspirational young women who contribute to the world we share has remained a basis for the School’s modern ethos.

The ability not only to adapt, but also to be a voice for positive change, is woven into the fabric of The Abbey. We want to help our students develop this ability as they enter a brave new world with an inner confidence and an understanding of the need for mindful balance, as well as independence.

The Abbey delivers an exceptional opportunity for each student to learn, care, thrive, and to shape her own future as she sees it.

We very much look forward to meeting you.

General information

Age range

3 - 18

Day / Boarding

Day

Religious affiliation

Christian

Junior School Fees (per term)

Nursery (age 3+): £2,650 Reception (age 4+): £5,830 Year 1: £6,685 Year 2: £7,170 Year 3-6: £7,675

Senior School Fees (per term)

Year 7-8: £9,170 Year 9-11: £9,445

Sixth Form Fees (per term)

£9,445

View full fees information

Bursaries & Scholarships

Senior School Scholarships

The Abbey School recognises excellence through our scholarship schemes.

There is a significant fee remission associated with an academic scholarship and the prestige in recognition of a girl’s ability is considerable. Academic scholarships are awarded to the top performers in the 11+ entrance examination, and there is a further opportunity to apply for an academic scholarship going into Fifth Form (years 10 and 11). Internal and external candidates must also apply to be considered for a Sixth Form Academic Scholarship.

Specialist Scholarships in Music, Art, Drama and Sport are offered to those who show exceptional talent in their chosen field. Only one Specialist Scholarship can be held as the scholars are expected to be very involved in the life of that specific department. For entry at Upper III (Year 7), applicants must complete the scholarship application and submit it with supporting references by the required date. Specialist Scholarships are awarded for three years and then girls re-apply for Fifth Form (Years 10 and 11) and Sixth Form.

Bursaries

The Governors of The Abbey are committed to broadening access to the School by offering to eligible Parents/Guardians means-tested financial support with the payment of Senior School fees, known as bursaries.

The School offers parents the opportunity to apply for financial assistance at entry into the Senior School for UIII (year 7) and LVI (year 12). Applications made at other points of entry will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

The Abbey uses a specialist agency, Bursary Administration Ltd, to help assess the need for financial assistance. The assessment will include a home visit by the agency and considers parents’/guardians’ circumstances (savings, investments and realisable assets as well as income, size of family, other persons dependent upon them, and compassionate or other pertinent considerations). As a rough guide, parents/guardians with a combined income of more than £100,000 are unlikely to qualify for assistance.

The scale of awards is reviewed annually, and may be varied upwards or downwards depending on the individual circumstances.

Every case will be taken on its individual merits but, among those who qualify financially, the academic potential of the pupil will be the overriding factor.

Bursaries are not available at the Junior School.

The application procedure for bursaries and other financial assistance is set out in the Admissions section of the school website.

Location