Private schools in Berkshire

Considering a private senior school in Berkshire for your child? Find out everything you need to know, including:

• The full list of single-sex and mixed private senior schools in Berkshire

• Which private schools in Berkshire offer boarding

• Independent school league table rankings

• School fees and financial assistance

• Details about entrance exams

What are the best private schools in Berkshire?

Every year, The Sunday Times Parent Power releases a league table for all schools in the UK based on their recent exam results.

The following 10 private schools were ranked the highest in Berkshire for 2024:

1. Wellington College
2. Eton College
3. St Mary's School, Ascot
4. The Abbey School
5. Downe House
6. Reading Blue Coat School
7. Bradfield College
8. Queen Anne's Caversham
9. St George's Ascot
10. Heathfield School

The best schools in Berkshire

How much do private schools cost in Berkshire?

The cost of private education in Berkshire varies from school to school. Some of the smaller day schools in Berkshire charge less than £6,000 per term, while boarding can exceed £12,000 per term at some of the larger boarding schools.

The cheapest private secondary school in Berkshire is St Joseph’s College in Reading, where fees are £4,763 per term. The most expensive private school in Berkshire is Eton College; all pupils board for £16,666 per term. Pupils with a means-tested bursary may be eligible for discounted or no fees.

We’ve included the 2023–24 fees for all the private secondary schools in Berkshire below.

What’s included in the school fees?

Fees always include the cost of teaching. Some fees include textbooks, materials, extracurricular activities and lunch. Most private schools charge for entry to public exams (e.g. GCSE and A levels).

Before registering your child with a school, it's best to check the admissions policy to find out what's included in the fees. You will need to pay a non-refundable registration fee when you apply for a place and this is usually £100–£300. If your child is offered a place, you will need to pay a refundable deposit to accept.

Help with school fees in Berkshire

Most private schools in Berkshire offer financial assistance. The main type of assistance is a means-tested bursary, and some offer sibling discounts.

Bursaries

Most private senior schools in Berkshire offer means-tested bursaries. These are usually offered on a sliding scale, so children from lower-income households receive more funding than those with a higher family income.

Bursaries can cover up to 100% of tuition fees. Some schools offer extra funding to help with the costs of school lunch, uniform, transport and activities.

If you think you might be eligible for a bursary, you will need to supply detailed financial evidence. You might have a home visit from a professional who will assess your financial circumstances.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to children who show talent or potential in a particular subject. This could be an academic scholarship (based on entrance exams) or a co-curricular scholarship. Some scholarships have a small financial reward attached to them, but this isn't means-tested.

If your child would like to apply for a scholarship for entry to a private school, they will have extra assessments in the entry process.

Sibling discounts

Several private schools in Berkshire offer discounts to families with multiple children at the same school. Sibling discounts are usually available for the third and subsequent children. The level of discount is normally around 15%.

British Armed Forces discounts

Queen Anne’s, Luckley House School and The Oratory School offer discounted boarding fees to families in the British Armed Forces.

Private boys’ schools in Berkshire

Eton College

Boarding school in Windsor for boys aged 13–18.

• Address: Eton, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6DW
• Number of students: 1,300+
• Fees per term: £16,666
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries ranging from 5% to 100%
• National rank: 24
• 13+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test and The Eton List Test

Eton College 13+ guide

Private girls’ schools in Berkshire

Downe House

Day and boarding school in Thatcham for girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: Downe House, Cold Ash, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9JJ
• Number of students: 550+
• Fees per term: £11,840 (day pupils), £15,920 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries up to 100% plus an allowance towards school extras
• National rank: 80
• 11+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test

How to apply to Downe House

Heathfield School

Day and boarding school in Ascot for girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: Heathfield School, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BQ
• Number of students: 200+
• Fees per term: £8,589–£8,772 (day pupils), £13,174–£14,190 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries up to 100%
• National rank: 196
• 11+ exam: CEM Select test

How to apply to Heathfield School

Queen Anne's, Caversham

Day and boarding school in Caversham, near Reading for girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: Queen Anne’s School, 6 Henley Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6DX
• Number of students: 400+
• Fees per term: £8,962 (day pupils), £13,759–£14,983 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries and discounts for British Armed Forces families
• National rank: 171
• 11+ exam: CEM Select test

How to apply to Queen Anne’s, Caversham

St Mary's School, Ascot

Roman Catholic boarding school in Ascot for girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: St Mary’s School, St Mary’s Road, South Ascot, Berkshire, SL6 9JF
• Number of students: approx. 400
• Fees per term: £11,900 (day fees), £16,710 (boarding fees)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
• National rank: 34
• 11+ exam English, maths and general papers

How to apply to St Mary’s School, Ascot

The Abbey School

Day school in Reading for girls aged 3 to 18.

• Address: The Abbey School, 17 Kendrick Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5DZ
• Number of students: 1,000+
• Fees per term: £7,250
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries and sibling discounts
• National rank: 62
• 11+ exam: English, maths and reasoning tests

How to apply to The Abbey School

The Marist School

Roman Catholic day school in Ascot for girls aged 2 to 18.

• Address: The Marist School, Kings Road, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PS
• Number of students: 400+
• Fees per term: £6,195
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries and sibling discounts (10% discount for the second child, 35% for the third child and 75% for the fourth and any subsequent child)
• National rank: 223
• 11+ exam: CEM Select test and written exams

How to apply to The Marist School

Private co-educational schools in Berkshire

Bradfield College

Day and boarding school in Bradfield for boys and girls aged 13 to 18.

• Address: Bradfield College, Bradfield, Berkshire, RG7 6AU
• Number of students: 800+
• Fees per term: £12,080 (day pupils), £15,100 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries up to 100%
• National rank: 164
• 13+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test

Bradfield College 13+ guide

Claires Court

Day school in Maidenhead for boys and girls aged 2 to 18. Boys and girls are taught separately from the ages of 4 to 16.

• Address: Claires Court, 1 College Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6AEW
• Number of students: 900+
• Fees per term: £6,015–£6,330
• Financial assistance: sibling discounts, loyalty discounts (Years 6–8) and instalment discounts
• 11+ exam: literacy and numeracy tests

How to apply to Claires Court

Crosfields School

Day school in Reading for boys and girls aged 3–16.

• Address: Crosfields School, Shinfield Road, Shinfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9BL
• Number of students: 700+
• Fees per term: £3,992–£6,552
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
• 11+ exam: online exam

How to apply to Crosfields School

Holme Grange

Day school in Wokingham for boys and girls aged 3 to 16. The senior school (ages 11–16) is called Eaton Grange.

• Address: Holme Grange, Heathlands Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3AL
• Number of students: 650+
• Fees per term: £5,755–£5,935
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
• 11+ exam: baseline tests in verbal and non-verbal reasoning

How to apply to Holme Grange

Leighton Park School

Quaker day and boarding school in Reading for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: Leighton Park School, Shinfield Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 7ED
• Number of students: 500+
• Fees per term: £7,720–£9,410 (day pupils), £10,500–£14,990 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries
• National rank: 265
• 11+ exam English, maths and creative writing tests

How to apply to Leighton Park School

Long Close School

Non-selective day school in Slough for boys and girls aged 2 to 16.

• Address: Long Close School, Upton Court Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL3 7LU
• Number of students: 200+
• Fees per term: £4,010–£6,225
• Financial assistance: sibling discounts
• 11+ exam: age-appropriate assessments for setting purposes only

How to apply to Long Close School

Luckley House School

Day and boarding school in Wokingham for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: Luckley House School, Luckley Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 3EU
• Number of students: 300+
• Fees per term: £6,798 (day pupils), £9,446–£11,893 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries, 10% sibling discount and Armed Forces discount
• National rank: 280
• 11 plus entry process: CAT4 test

How to apply to Luckley House School

LVS Ascot

Non-selective day and boarding school in Ascot for boys and girls aged 4 to 18.

• Address: LVS Ascot, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8DR
• Number of students: approx. 800
• Fees per term: £6,600–£6,955 (day pupils), £11,760–£12,220 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: no
• 11+ exam: interview

How to apply to LVS Ascot

Pangbourne College

Day and boarding school in Pangbourne for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: Pangbourne College, Pangbourne Hill, Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 8LA
• Number of students: 450+
• Fees per term: £7,300–£9,490 (day pupils), £9,140–£14,785 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries. Significant financial support is unlikely for Year 7 applicants
• 11+ exam CAT4 test

How to apply to Pangbourne College

Reading Blue Coat School

Day school in Sonning, near Reading for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: Reading Blue Coat School, Holme Park, Sonning Lane, Sonning, Reading, Berkshire, RG4 6SU
• Number of students: approx. 800
• Fees per term: £6,655
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries up to 100%
• National rank: 119
• 11+ exam: Atom Assessments

How to apply to Reading Blue Coat School

Reddam House

Day and boarding school in Wokingham for boys and girls aged 0 to 18.

• Address: Reddam House, Bearwood Road, Singlesham, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 5BG
• Number of students: 700+
• Fees per term: £6,416 (day pupils), £9,747–£11,232 (boarding pupils)
• 11+ exam: academic assessment

How to apply to Reddam House

St Gabriel's School

Roman Catholic day school in Newbury for girls aged 0–18 with a mixed prep school.

• Address: St Gabriel’s School, Sandleford Priory, Newbury, Berkshire, RG20 9BD
• Number of students: 450+
• Sixth form: yes
• Fees per term: £6,778–£7,026
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries up to 100%
• National rank: 240
• 11+ exam: English, maths and verbal reasoning

How to apply to St Gabriel’s School

St Joseph's College

Roman Catholic day school in Reading for boys and girls aged 3 to 18.

• Address: St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 5JT
• Number of students: 550+
• Fees per term: £4,763
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries and sibling discounts
• National rank: 249
• 11+ exam age-appropriate entrance exam

How to apply to St Joseph’s College

The Oratory School

Roman Catholic day and boarding school near Reading for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

• Address: The Oratory School, Woodcote, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 0PJ
• Number of students: 350+
• Fees per term: £7,155–£9,920 (day pupils), £8,254–£14,437 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries and military subsidies
• National rank: 287
• 11+ exam: CAT4 test

How to apply to The Oratory School

Wellington College

Day and boarding school in Crowthorne for boys and girls aged 13 to 18.

• Address: Wellington College, Duke’s Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 7PU
• Number of students: 1,100+
• Fees per term: £11,920 (day pupils), £16,310 (boarding pupils)
• Financial assistance: means-tested bursaries ranging from 10% to 100%
• National rank: 27
• 13+ exam: ISEB Common Pre-Test

How to apply to Wellington College