READING School has announced the first phase of its plans to celebrate its 900th anniversary throughout the year.
In addition to celebrating its heritage, Reading School is keen to use the 900th anniversary year to highlight its community work – especially with primary schools across Reading – and re-dedicate itself towards its purpose of being a school for Reading.
The school says that Improving Reading School’s sports, arts, drama and sixth form facilities, including access for the local community is a key part of the anniversary.
On 26-27 March, students will take part in 36 hours of fundraising challenges as part of a major Giving Day fundraising drive.
A social mobility project called the Future Stories programme will work with primary schools across Reading with high numbers of pupils eligible for Pupil Premium payments.
It will help ensure that children from all economic backgrounds have both the opportunity to benefit from the specialisms of Reading School’s staff and students and the best possible opportunity to succeed in gaining a place at the School when they leave primary education.
The programme has been recognised nationally through inclusion on the UK Social Value Awards’ Roll of Honour.
Future Stories has included providing pupils at 8 carefully selected schools with 1:1 mentoring and tutoring–enabling a trip for 13 St Mary & All Saints Primary school children to Finland–as well as hosting and running enrichment events for hundreds of Reading primary pupils.
Reading School also offers an extensive programme introducing Reading children to rowing, which is unique in the UK.
This offer engages around 1200 children each year and seeks to diversify the sport through offering opportunities that would otherwise be too remote or too costly.
Reading School also provides its facilities free-of-charge for a Ukrainian Saturday School, catering for children displaced by war and currently living in the Reading area.
First founded in 1125 as the school of Reading Abbey, the state-funded grammar school has one of the longest lineages of any educational institution in England and is consistently rated as one of the best schools in the country.
Speaking ahead of the Giving Days, Reading School Headmaster Chris Evans said: “Reading School has positively shaped the lives of young people from Reading for the last 900 years.
“As we celebrate this remarkable history, we are also looking to the future. We’re committed to creating opportunity and nurturing young people who enhance society by serving others. Therefore, ensuring that we are a school for Reading, and not just one based in Reading, is fundamental to the vision that we share.”
He explained: “Our Giving Day from 26th to 27th March is an opportunity to take steps to secure the impact of the Future Stories programme and ensure that the School’s facilities are fit for the future, but there’ s also much more going on.
“We have three lectures scheduled about local history, and I am delighted to invite residents of Reading to join our Community Carnival on 5th July 2025, which is open to all.
“Our hope is that Reading School’s 900th anniversary is a source of celebration for the town and a springboard to ensure that the School is ready for its tenth century and beyond.”
More information about Reading School is available via: reading-school.co.uk
