**List of schools in Berkshire**
**Definition**
The list of schools in Berkshire encompasses all primary, secondary, special, and independent educational institutions located within the ceremonial county of Berkshire, England. This compilation includes state-funded schools, academies, free schools, and private schools serving the diverse educational needs of the county’s population.
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# List of Schools in Berkshire
Berkshire, a historic and ceremonial county in South East England, is home to a wide range of educational institutions catering to children and young adults from early years through to post-16 education. The county’s schools are administered across six unitary authorities: Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the schools in Berkshire, categorized by type and local authority.
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## Overview of Education in Berkshire
Berkshire’s education system reflects the broader English framework, with compulsory education from ages 5 to 16, and optional further education up to 18 and beyond. The county offers a mixture of maintained schools, academies, free schools, and independent schools. Many schools have specialist statuses or focus areas, such as technology, arts, or sciences, and some have historic foundations dating back several centuries.
The county’s schools serve a diverse population, including urban centers like Reading and Slough, as well as rural and suburban communities. Berkshire is known for its high educational standards, with many schools achieving above-average examination results and Ofsted ratings.
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## Types of Schools in Berkshire
### State-Funded Schools
State-funded schools in Berkshire include community schools, voluntary aided and controlled schools, academies, and free schools. These schools are funded by the government and provide free education to pupils.
– **Community Schools:** Operated by the local authority, these schools follow the national curriculum.
– **Voluntary Aided/Controlled Schools:** Often linked to religious organizations, these schools have some autonomy but receive state funding.
– **Academies:** Publicly funded independent schools that have greater control over their curriculum and finances.
– **Free Schools:** Newly established schools set up by groups such as parents or charities, funded by the government but independent of local authority control.
### Independent Schools
Independent schools in Berkshire are privately funded through tuition fees and donations. They often offer a broader curriculum and additional facilities. Many have long histories and traditions, and some are boarding schools.
### Special and Alternative Provision Schools
These schools cater to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or those requiring alternative educational arrangements due to behavioral or emotional difficulties.
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## Schools by Local Authority
### Bracknell Forest
Bracknell Forest is a unitary authority in Berkshire with a range of primary and secondary schools, including academies and community schools.
#### Primary Schools in Bracknell Forest
– Birch Hill Primary School
– Crown Wood Primary School
– Great Hollands Primary School
– Jennett’s Park Primary School
– Wildridings Primary School
#### Secondary Schools in Bracknell Forest
– Brakenhale School (Academy)
– Edgbarrow School (Academy)
– Sandhurst School (Academy)
#### Special Schools
– The Pines Primary School
– The Willows School
### Reading
Reading is the largest town in Berkshire and has a diverse array of schools serving a large urban population.
#### Primary Schools in Reading
– Caversham Primary School
– Katesgrove Primary School
– Southcote Primary School
– Westwood Farm Infant and Junior Schools
#### Secondary Schools in Reading
– The Bulmershe School
– The Forest School
– Kendrick School (Grammar)
– Reading School (Grammar)
– The Abbey School (Girls’ Academy)
#### Special Schools
– The Castle School
– The Willows School
### Slough
Slough is a large town with a multicultural population and a comprehensive range of schools.
#### Primary Schools in Slough
– Baylis Court Primary School
– Chalvey Primary School
– Foxborough Primary School
– Upton Court Primary School
#### Secondary Schools in Slough
– Langley Grammar School
– Slough Grammar School (Upton Court Grammar School)
– Herschel Grammar School
– The Slough and Eton Church of England Business and Enterprise College
#### Special Schools
– The Phoenix School
– The Jubilee Academy
### West Berkshire
West Berkshire covers a largely rural area with market towns such as Newbury and Thatcham.
#### Primary Schools in West Berkshire
– Chaddleworth St Andrew’s CE Primary School
– Falkland Primary School
– St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
– The Winchcombe School
#### Secondary Schools in West Berkshire
– The Downs School
– Kennet School
– Park House School
– Trinity School
#### Special Schools
– The Castle School
– The Willows School
### Windsor and Maidenhead
This unitary authority includes the historic towns of Windsor and Maidenhead.
#### Primary Schools in Windsor and Maidenhead
– Clewer Green CE Primary School
– Oldfield Primary School
– St Edmund Campion Catholic Primary School
– Trinity St Stephen CE Primary School
#### Secondary Schools in Windsor and Maidenhead
– Charters School
– Cox Green School
– Furze Platt Senior School
– Windsor Girls’ School
#### Special Schools
– The Castle School
– The Willows School
### Wokingham
Wokingham is a prosperous area with a mix of urban and rural communities.
#### Primary Schools in Wokingham
– Hawkedon Primary School
– Oaklands Infant and Junior Schools
– St Crispin’s CE Primary School
– Westende Junior School
#### Secondary Schools in Wokingham
– The Emmbrook School
– The Forest School
– St Crispin’s School
– Waingels College
#### Special Schools
– The Castle School
– The Willows School
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## Notable Independent Schools in Berkshire
Berkshire is home to several prestigious independent schools, many of which have historic reputations and offer boarding facilities.
– **Eton College:** One of the most famous boys’ boarding schools in the world, located near Windsor.
– **St George’s School Ascot:** A leading independent girls’ school.
– **The Oratory School:** A Roman Catholic independent school for boys.
– **Reading Blue Coat School:** A co-educational independent day school.
– **The Marist School:** A Catholic independent school for girls.
These schools often provide a broad curriculum including GCSEs, A-levels, and the International Baccalaureate, and have extensive extracurricular programs.
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## Special and Alternative Provision Schools
Berkshire provides a range of special education services to support pupils with additional needs.
– **The Castle School:** A special school serving pupils with complex learning difficulties.
– **The Willows School:** Focuses on pupils with autism spectrum disorders.
– **The Phoenix School:** Provides education for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health needs.
– **The Jubilee Academy:** Offers alternative provision for pupils unable to attend mainstream schools.
These schools work closely with local authorities and health services to provide tailored education and support.
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## Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges
In addition to secondary schools with sixth forms, Berkshire has dedicated further education colleges offering vocational and academic courses.
– **Newbury College:** Provides a range of vocational courses and apprenticeships.
– **East Berkshire College:** Serves the Slough and surrounding areas.
– **Reading College:** Offers A-levels, vocational courses, and adult education.
Many secondary schools also have sixth form provisions, allowing students to continue their education locally.
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## Educational Performance and Inspection
Schools in Berkshire are regularly inspected by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills). Many schools in the county have achieved “Good” or “Outstanding” ratings, reflecting high standards of teaching, leadership, and pupil outcomes.
Berkshire’s grammar schools, such as Reading School and Kendrick School, are selective and consistently rank highly in national examination league tables. The county’s comprehensive and academy schools also perform well, with many offering specialist programs in arts, sciences, and technology.
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## Conclusion
Berkshire’s educational landscape is diverse and comprehensive, offering a wide range of options for families and students. From historic independent schools to modern academies and special provision schools, the county caters to varied educational needs and preferences. The strong performance of many schools and the availability of further education opportunities contribute to Berkshire’s reputation as a county with excellent educational provision.
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**Meta Description:**
A comprehensive list and overview of schools in Berkshire, England, including state-funded, independent, special, and further education institutions across the county’s unitary authorities.