Michael Hardy Blog, News & Updates

A guide to Wokingham's local schools

23 June, 2015

Wokingham borough has a total of 63 state-run schools; a mix of academies, local authority establishments and free schools. This covers the towns of Wokingham and Finchampstead, across to Three Mile Cross and up to Twyford.

The area also boasts an excellent array of fee-paying schools catering for nursery, primary and secondary-aged pupils.

Wokingham Schools

As one of the area's larger towns, Wokingham has a great mix of schools catering for all ages, which has expanded of late to include three brand new primary schools.

Evendons Primary School - the town's first STEM-focused primary free school - opened in September 2014. It aims to embed Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics across all areas of learning, in an environment where class sizes are kept fairly small, at a maximum of 25 pupils per class.

Another new school is Windmill Primary. Set in brand new purpose-built surrounds, this small school is the first primary academy in Wokingham. Windmill Primary is still growing, with a Year Two class planned to be added in September 2015 and an additional year group each school year. By 2019 Windmill Primary hopes to have 210 pupils.

The village of Winnersh, north west of Wokingham, is home to the new Wheatfield Primary School. Opened in September 2014. it caters for children aged 4-11 years old. Partnered with Windmill Primary, it too is set in a brand new, purpose-built school building.

The more established Holme Grange School is situated in the south of Wokingham and caters for children aged three to 16 years old. With a motto of 'Work Hard, Play Fair' - this private school offers an excellent all-round curriculum which includes an interest in the arts and sports.

When it comes to secondary schools, there are several in the town, including St Crispins and The Emmbrook School. A specialist maths and computing college, Emmbrook has an adjoining sixth form and a Good rating from Ofsted. St Crispins also has a Good rating and a nationally accredited gifted and talented programme.

The Holt School is another in Wokingham; a girls' comprehensive with around 1,200 pupils. It became an academy in 2011 and has a varied extra-curricular programme.

Nearby Winnersh also offers The Forest School for pupils aged 11-18. With GCSE results above the national record, this academy is an inclusive school and holds two awards for its specialisms.

Schools in and around Crowthorne

Coming under Bracknell Forest local authority, Crowthorne has a great array of schools within the village; many of which have rated very highly with Ofsted. There are four primaries in the area and an outstanding secondary; Edgbarrow School. Here, you'll also find the esteemed Wellington College, a coeducational independent school with around 1,000 boarders and day pupils aged between 13-18 years old. It was named best public school by Tatler magazine in 2014.

Also in the vicinity is Our Lady's Preparatory School and Day Nursery, which accommodates children from three months up to 11 years. A Catholic school, Our Lady's is popular for its small class sizes and excellent teaching, with many pupils achieving scholarships.

Primary schools in Finchampstead

There are several good schools to choose from in the village of Finchampstead - including Finchhampstead CE Primary, which was rated 'Outstanding' in its most recent Ofsted report. Although a Church of England school, the establishment welcomes applicants from all faiths. It also runs a fun and supportive after-school club.

Providing for children aged from three months to 13 years, St Neot's Preparatory School is situated in Eversley, just 2 miles south of Finchhampstead. This private establishment offers an innovative curriculum and even has an outdoor learning centre with al fresco classroom and activity stations.

Although there aren't any 11+ schools in the village itself, families will likely find themselves in the catchment area for Emmbrook, St Crispin's, Forest and Holt Schools.

Arborfield's new school

The village of Arborfield comes under Wokingham Borough for education. Although relatively small, new development in the area has allowed for expansion.

Additional funding has been approved for a brand new secondary school in Arborfield, which will open up space for more than 200 Year Seven pupils. Planned to open in September 2016, subsequent phases and sports facilities will be complete by September 2017, allowing the capacity for 1,200 pupils.

There are several primary schools in and around the area, including Coombes CE Primary School which is a voluntary controlled school.

With so many options in and around Wokingham, all with their OFSTED results clear to see, its easy to choose the ideal solution on more than just location.