SchoolScoresUTC Reading
University technical college · Secondary, ages 14 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of ACTIVATE LEARNING EDUCATION TRUST
Crescent Road, East Reading, Reading, RG1 5RQ
0118 938 1020 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 4 February 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Reading comparisons use the 7 of its 11 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 4 have 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.
| Statement | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 83% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 76% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Reading. Higher than 50% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80%said yes | 78% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 3%). 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 figures pool parents at the Reading 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
79 pupils in this year group.
38% — 13 points below the Reading average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 38% | 51% | 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. | 42 | 50.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
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.
120 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Reading average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 48% | 51% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 9% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 30% | 26% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 92% |
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
67 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 18% | 40% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 27% | 60% | 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. | 23.2 | 37.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
8 subjects, 188 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 61 | 10% | 23% | 40% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 35 | 9% | 29% | 24% |
| Physics | 27 | 7% | 11% | 31% |
| Business Studies:Single | 15 | 0% | 7% | 16% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 14 | 14% | 36% | 59% |
| Biology | 13 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 13 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Psychology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
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.
96 students in this year group.
89% — 3 points above the Reading average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 89% | 86% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 13% | 4% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 22% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 89% |
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.
105 students in this year group.
55% — 20 points below the Reading average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 55% | 75% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 4% | 40% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 60% | 55% |
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 Reading. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.5% | 23.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.7% | 2.6%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 12.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Higher than 82% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.6% | 32.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Lower than 4% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3% | 8.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Lower than 4% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 39.3% | 21.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Lower than 59% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 22.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Lower than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 7.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.35% | 0.16% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Higher than 19% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.2 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Higher than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools in Reading. Higher than 91% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 25.0% | 13.3%* | 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
- Maiden Erlegh School in Reading 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Reading School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- Red Balloon Learner Centre Reading 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Abbey School Reading 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 50% A*/A at A level
- Maiden Erlegh School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2020), confirmed 2025 · 65% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Deenway Montessori School 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Kendrick School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 100% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Bulmershe School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Leighton Park School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 38% A*/A at A level
- Reading Girls' School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2021) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is UTC Reading's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 4 February 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did UTC Reading do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 38% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend UTC Reading?
80% of the 10 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend UTC Reading to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139268.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.