Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #7 in Reading public Top 25% UK

The WREN School

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

personMr John Salberg

corporate_fareEXCALIBUR ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onReading, RG30 2BB

language Visit Website phone 1182143888

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

994

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#7 in Reading

#1,771 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The WREN School is a Free schools secondary school in Reading, serving ages 11-19. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

article

School Summary

The WREN School is a free schools in Reading, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of EXCALIBUR ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 979 pupils on roll, of whom 29% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.8, placing the school #7 in Reading and #1,771 of 3,216 nationally. 41.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 20.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 23 A-level subjects. 24.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 7.4% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.16 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.1:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 12.5 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

44.8

Grade 5+ E&M

41.00%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)20.6%

Entering EBacc13.50%

EBacc APS3.89

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc22.60%

EBacc APS3.78

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.30

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS3.42

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.74

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS3.28

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2018

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

explore

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

88%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

workspace_premium

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

-0.16

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.1%

Achieving A*–A7.4%

Achieving A*–B24.0%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate97.1%

A-level subjects offered23

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.31

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate89.90%

2023

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate89.70%

2022

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

23 January 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

19 June 2018

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2024-01-23

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2018-06-19

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

10.0%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

6.1%(60 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 979 pupils. During this period, there were 98 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 10.0%, which is above 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)	979	98	10.0%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	987	147	14.9%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,003	100	10.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,003	89	8.9%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	991	87	8.8%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	994	83	8.4%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	994	81	8.1%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	995	56	5.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	979	50	5.1%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	978	56	5.7%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	973	55	5.7%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	911	23	2.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	906	3	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	905	28	3.1%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	772	1	0.1%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	772	25	3.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	769	21	2.7%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	587	20	3.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	589	52	8.8%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	585	35	6.0%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	406	48	11.8%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	410	26	6.3%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	405	24	5.9%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	241	18	7.5%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	230	13	5.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	222	7	3.2%	3.1%	0

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 27 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 27 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 18 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 7 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

76.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

75.0%Positive

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

19.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree17%

agree48%

disagree20%

strongly disagree10%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree16%

agree41%

disagree32%

strongly disagree8%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree22%

agree22%

disagree20%

strongly disagree15%

don't know4%

not applicable17%

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

yes27%

no73%

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

strongly agree13%

agree16%

disagree26%

strongly disagree42%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree22%

agree42%

disagree19%

strongly disagree9%

don't know8%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree21%

agree49%

disagree18%

strongly disagree10%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree19%

agree53%

disagree18%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree25%

agree58%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree29%

agree60%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree16%

agree38%

disagree20%

strongly disagree11%

don't know15%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes60%

no40%

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

Secondary Admission Trends

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

Top Secondary Schools in Reading

Kendrick School

Reading School

Reading Girls' School

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre

Maiden Erlegh School in Reading

Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School