Kennet School, based in Thatcham, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Kennet School currently has around 1814 pupils on roll, which is about 96% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 50.9% boys and 49.1% girls. Around 17.0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 9.4%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24.4%. The school also includes resourced provision, supporting 27 pupils.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (78.3%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 98% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (91%) , including 71% who stay in school sixth forms and 18% progressing to further education , while 4% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Stoney Lane, Thatcham, RG19 4LL |
| Website: | www.kennetschool.co.uk |
| Telephone: | 01635862121 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | West Berkshire |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Ms Grace Rigg |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 136647 |
Ofsted inspection date: 14/05/2024
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1881 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1814 |
| Number of Boys: | 924 |
| Number of Girls: | 890 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 9.4% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 24.4% | 8.2% |
| White British | 78.30% | 1420 |
| Other White | 7.70% | 140 |
| Indian | 2.30% | 41 |
| White and Asian | 1.80% | 32 |
| Other Mixed | 1.30% | 24 |
| White and Black African | 1.20% | 21 |
| Chinese | 1.10% | 20 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.10% | 20 |
| Other Black | 0.90% | 17 |
| Other Asian | 0.80% | 15 |
| Pakistani | 0.70% | 13 |
| African | 0.70% | 12 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.60% | 11 |
| Unclassified | 0.60% | 11 |
| Irish | 0.30% | 6 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.30% | 6 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.20% | 3 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.10% | 1 |
| Caribbean | 0.10% | 1 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis Baily Primary School Skillman Drive , RG19 4GG | 2out of 4 | 277 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Francis Baily Primary School Skillman Drive , RG19 4GG | - not rated | 277 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Spurcroft Primary School Spurcroft Road , RG19 3XX | 3out of 4 | 623 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Mary's Church of England Junior School Thatcham Park Avenue , RG18 4NP | - not rated | 1,024 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Thatcham Park CofE Primary Park Avenue , RG18 4NP | 3out of 4 | 1,024 yd | Voluntary controlled school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennet School Stoney Lane , RG19 4LL | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Kennet School Stoney Lane , RG19 4LL | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service for Alternative Curriculum 14 - 19 Kennet Community Centre , Urquhart Road RG19 4LY | - not rated | 748 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Priory Centre Church Lane , RG19 3JL | - not rated | 787 yd | Pupil referral unit | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Grange School 18 - 21 Church Gate , RG19 3PN | - not rated | 835 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Reintegration Service Moorside Community Centre , Urquhart Road RG19 4RE | - not rated | 861 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Faith Christian School 3 Magpie Close , RG19 3RZ | - not rated | 1,554 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Not applicable | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.