Little Heath School

Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Little Heath Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5TY

0118 942 7337 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 15 July 2014; confirmed 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths47%England 45% · 2024/25
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 58% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,682Room for 1,700 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,602 in 2019, 1,655 in 2021, 1,647 in 2022, 1,660 in 2023, 1,667 in 2024, 1,679 in 2025, 1,682 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.8219 for 260 places, September 2026
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 30% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 15 July 2014.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 29 November 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

141 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

Reading (West Berkshire) comparisons use the 3 of its 4 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other one has no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolReading (West Berkshire)England
My child is happy at this school
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
84% 82% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 40% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83% 86% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 41% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 78% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 63 parents whose child had been bullied
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 86% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 54% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 118 parents who had raised a concern
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 67% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 70% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 48% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79%said yes 81% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Reading (West Berkshire) figures pool parents at the Reading (West Berkshire) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

252 pupils in this year group.

47% — 2 points below the West Berkshire average, and 1 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 47% 48% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 48.2 48 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.0 4.3 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 47%This school 2023/24: 42%This school 2024/25: 47% This school England 45% 2022/23 47% 2023/24 42% 2024/25 47%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

260 pupils in this year group.

94% — about the same as the West Berkshire average, and 2 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 51%32%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 94% 95% 92%
School sixth form 51% 54% 34%
Sixth form college 5% 6% 13%
Further education college 32% 25% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 4% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%94%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

162 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 18% 27% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 41% 52% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 31.3 35.0 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 32.4This school 2023/24: 32.0This school 2024/25: 31.3 This school England 35 2022/23 32.4 2023/24 32.0 2024/25 31.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

27 subjects, 416 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 49 10% 22% 40%
Psychology 48 0% 8% 19%
Sociology 31 0% 6% 20%
Biology 30 7% 17% 27%
Chemistry 30 0% 20% 30%
Economics 29 0% 10% 26%
Business Studies:Single 21 5% 14% 16%
Physics 21 5% 24% 31%
History 17 0% 29% 23%
Government and Politics 15 13% 33% 26%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 14 0% 0% 14%
Computer Studies / Computing 13 8% 46% 24%
Geography 13 0% 8% 23%
Logic / Philosophy 13 0% 15% 19%
English Language 11 9% 18% 13%
English Literature 11 9% 27% 23%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 11 0% 0% 17%
Art and Design 10 10% 40% 34%
Mathematics (Further) 6 33% 83% 59%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Film Studies, Spanish, Art and Design (Textiles), German, Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Music, Polish.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

159 students in this year group.

84% — 3 points below the West Berkshire average, and 5 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 84% 87% 79%
Apprenticeship 9% 7% 7%
Work 28% 34% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
85%84%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

152 students in this year group.

59% — about the same as the West Berkshire average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 59% 60% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 12% 21% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
64%59%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in West Berkshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.

Places offered260
Families who put it first219
Of those, offered a place217 (99%)
Families who listed it at all490

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.8

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in West Berkshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolWest BerkshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
19.3% 18.1%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.4% 3.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
15.7% 16.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
13.2% 10.1%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.2% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Lower than 76% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
18.0% 21.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
21.1 21.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.0% 6.6% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded9 pupils 0.54% 0.32% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.7 16.3 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.9 11.4 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Reading (West Berkshire).
Higher than 26% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
9.6% 10.6%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Little Heath School's Ofsted rating?

Little Heath School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 15 July 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 29 November 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did Little Heath School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 1 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Little Heath School?

79% of the 141 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Little Heath School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Little Heath School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 219 families put Little Heath School as their first choice for 260 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 217 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.