There are six state grammar schools in Berkshire, all free to attend and taking pupils at 11 for Year 7 entry. This page covers the Slough and Reading council areas. The schools are in Langley, Reading and Slough. Of these, one is a boys' school, one is a girls' school and four are mixed schools, and all six have a sixth form. The table below links to each school's own website, where you'll find its admissions policy and entrance test details, and to our 11+ guide for the school where we have one.
The list comes from the Department for Education's register of schools, checked on 13 October 2026. For every grammar school in the country, see our list of grammar schools in England.
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (open state-funded schools with a selective admissions policy, checked 13 October 2026).
All grammar schools in Berkshire (6)
Burnham Grammar School has a Slough postal address but is in Buckinghamshire, so it is listed on our Buckinghamshire grammar schools page.
Slough (4)
| School | Town | Gender of entry | Notes | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langley Grammar School | Langley | Mixed | – | Website |
| Herschel Grammar School | Slough | Mixed | – | Website |
| St Bernard's Catholic Grammar School | Slough | Mixed | Roman Catholic | Website |
| Upton Court Grammar School | Slough | Mixed | – | Website |
Reading (2)
| School | Town | Gender of entry | Notes | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kendrick School | Reading | Girls | – | Website |
| Reading School | Reading | Boys | Boarding places | Website |
This list covers state-funded grammar schools, which charge no tuition fees (state boarding schools charge for boarding only). Independent (fee-paying) schools are not included, even when "grammar school" is in their name: for example, The Grammar School at Leeds is registered as an independent school. Independent schools set their own entrance exams and fees.
"Gender of entry" is as recorded on the government register, and it may not match who is admitted in Year 7 (sixth forms can differ too). Always check the school's own admissions page.
Boys', girls' and mixed grammar schools in Berkshire
Of these, one is a boys' school, one is a girls' school and four are mixed schools. If you want a particular type of school, this narrows the choice quickly.
How to get a place at a grammar school in Berkshire
Each school publishes its own admissions policy, test and dates, so start with the school's website. Some schools in an area share one test; others set their own. Your home council's admissions team can also help: find your local council.
- Read the school's admissions policy
It sets out the entrance test, any priority or catchment area and how places are offered. Use the school links in the table above.
- Register for the entrance test
Registration can close several months before the test, so check the dates in Year 5.
- Sit the test
In areas such as Buckinghamshire and Medway, the test is sat in September of Year 6.
- Apply through your council by 31 October
Name the grammar school on your home council's secondary school application, as well as other schools.
- Offers on 1 March
Councils send secondary school offers on 1 March.
Application deadline and offer day: GOV.UK, school admissions: how to apply.
Looking further afield? See grammar schools in Buckinghamshire and London.
Preparing for the 11+ in Berkshire
Whichever school you choose, a strong vocabulary helps across English, comprehension and verbal reasoning papers. Start gently in Year 3 and Year 4 with reading and word games, build structured practice in Year 5, and keep Year 6 for revision before the test.
Our year-by-year guides cover each stage: Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6. For free practice, print our 11 plus vocabulary list with meanings and try the free 11+ vocabulary quiz.
How 11+ Vocab Master and 11+ Verbal Reasoning Master can help
Whichever grammar school you aim for, our two apps help build the vocabulary and verbal reasoning skills that 11+ tests rely on, in short sessions on a phone or tablet.
- 11+ Vocab Master, our 11+ vocabulary app: 2,500+ words for CEM-style and GL Assessment tests across 100 categories, 12,000+ vocabulary questions, 6 practice modes, 7 games and unlimited mock tests.
- 11+ Verbal Reasoning Master: 2,000+ verbal reasoning questions covering 38+ question types, with flashcards, mock tests and 5 VR games, such as Analogy Arena and Code Cracker.
- Vocab Master has progress tracking, works offline, is ad-free and has audio pronunciation. VR Master has a Hard Questions list. 11+ Vocab Master is Educational App Store Certified.
Both apps come with a 7-day free trial. After that, 11+ Vocab Master is £3.99 a month, £9.99 for 6 months or £12.99 a year, and 11+ Verbal Reasoning Master is £3.99 a month, £9.99 for 6 months or £14.99 a year.
11+ Vocab Master
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Frequently asked questions
How many grammar schools are there in Berkshire?
There are six state grammar schools in Berkshire (Slough and Reading), according to the Department for Education's Get Information about Schools register, checked on 13 October 2026. Of these, one is a boys' school, one is a girls' school and four are mixed schools.
How do you get into a grammar school in Berkshire?
Your child sits the entrance test used by the school, and you name the school on your home council's secondary school application, which must be in by 31 October. Councils send offers on 1 March. Each school's admissions policy explains its test and how places are given.
Do Berkshire grammar schools have sixth forms?
Yes. All six grammar schools listed here have a sixth form, according to the government register. Check each school's website for its sixth-form entry requirements.
Are there boarding grammar schools in Berkshire?
Yes. According to the government register, Reading School has boarding provision. Check the school's website for how boarding places are offered.
Sources
Checked on 13 October 2026. School websites are as listed on the government register.
- Get Information about Schools: open state-funded schools with a selective admissions policy, Department for Education
- School admissions: how to apply, GOV.UK