Ofsted: Serious Weaknesses emoji_events #8 in Reading public Top 35% UK

UTC Reading

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Wayne Edwards

corporate_fareACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST

location_onReading, RG1 5RQ

language Visit Website phone 1189381020

verified

Ofsted

Serious Weaknesses

Inspected 2025

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Students

489

trending_up

Attainment 8

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GCSE Rank

#8 in Reading

#2,255 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

UTC Reading is a University technical college secondary school in Reading, serving ages 14-19.

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School Summary

UTC Reading is an university technical college in Reading, admitting pupils aged 14-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of ACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 286 pupils on roll, of whom 24% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 42, placing the school #8 in Reading and #2,255 of 3,216 nationally. 38.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 17.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 8 A-level subjects. 27.1% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 17.6% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.26 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Serious Weaknesses. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.5 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

38.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.3%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS3.06

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.8

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS3.16

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.51

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc3%

EBacc APS3.83

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.81

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc4%

EBacc APS3.52

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.35

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS3.24

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.74

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc1%

EBacc APS3.32

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.26

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.9%

Achieving A*–A17.6%

Achieving A*–B27.1%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate82.3%

A-level subjects offered8

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.12

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate94.90%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate96.00%

2022

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

04 February 2025

Inspection Report

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03 October 2023

Inspection Report

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07 February 2023

Inspection Report

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19 May 2015

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2025-02-04

Serious Weaknesses S5 Reinspection EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2023-02-07

S5 Inspection EIF

Inadequate

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Inadequate

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Inadequate

2015-05-19

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.1%(6 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 286 pupils. During this period, there were 10 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.5%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	286	10	3.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	286	16	5.6%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	397	9	2.3%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	395	27	6.8%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	403	38	9.4%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	473	7	1.5%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	489	45	9.2%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	498	36	7.2%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	468	7	1.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	472	25	5.3%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	482	8	1.7%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	494	10	2.0%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	497	3	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	499	14	2.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	494	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	494	34	6.9%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	498	26	5.2%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	446	4	0.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	453	6	1.3%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	459	7	1.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	430	7	1.6%	3.4%	4
2017/18 (Spring term)	433	13	3.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	437	14	3.2%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	381	8	2.1%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	387	10	2.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	394	9	2.3%	3.1%	2

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 19 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 16 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

66.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

74.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

12.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree18%

agree40%

disagree18%

strongly disagree22%

don't know2%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree15%

agree34%

disagree27%

strongly disagree20%

don't know4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree26%

agree20%

disagree19%

strongly disagree16%

don't know4%

not applicable15%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes39%

no61%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree24%

agree33%

disagree21%

strongly disagree18%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree31%

agree39%

disagree12%

strongly disagree8%

don't know11%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree19%

agree49%

disagree16%

strongly disagree13%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree15%

agree45%

disagree25%

strongly disagree14%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree25%

agree56%

disagree9%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree32%

agree46%

disagree11%

strongly disagree6%

don't know6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree21%

agree44%

disagree12%

strongly disagree15%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes62%

no38%

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

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