About St Joseph's College, Reading
St Joseph's College is a co-educational Roman Catholic independent day school on Upper Redlands Road in Reading, Berkshire, founded in 1894 and co-educational since 2010. An all-through school for ages 3–18 (around 580 pupils), it welcomes families of all faiths and is known for warm pastoral care. As an independent school it charges fees — around £5,039 a term for the senior school (about £15,100 a year), which the College deliberately keeps below the market rate (confirm the current figure).
Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own entrance assessment in English and Mathematics, alongside a taster day, an interview and a reference from the current school. The College serves families across the ability range rather than being highly academically selective.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for St. Joseph's College, Reading
St. Joseph's College, Reading Admissions Criteria
St. Joseph's College, Reading is a co-educational independent day school in Berkshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at St. Joseph's College, Reading to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at St. Joseph's College, Reading. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by St and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at St. Joseph's College, Reading.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at St. Joseph's College, Reading. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
St. Joseph's College, Reading Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending St. Joseph's College, Reading.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — St. Joseph's College, Reading 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to St. Joseph's College, Reading
Step 1 — Attend an Open Morning, Open Evening,
Attend an Open Morning, Open Evening, or arrange a private visit through the Admissions Department
Step 2 — Complete the online Registration Form
Complete the online Registration Form on the school's website
Step 3 — Pay the £120 (incl. VAT) non-refundable registration fee
Pay the £120 (incl. VAT) non-refundable registration fee
Step 4 — Submit registration by the deadline of 31 October for
Submit registration by the deadline of 31 October for September entry the following year
Step 5 — Your child sits the St Joseph's College 11+ entrance
Your child sits the St Joseph's College 11+ entrance assessment covering English (writing, spelling, punctuation, creativity), Mathematics (number, measurement, geometry, algebra, statistics), and InCAS (Verbal, Non-Verbal and Numerical Reasoning)
Step 6 — Following the assessment, the school reviews results
Following the assessment, the school reviews results alongside school reference and interview where appropriate
Step 7 — If your family is applying for financial assistance
If your family is applying for financial assistance, submit the Bursary Application by 1 December preceding September entry — processed by Bursary Assessment Associates
Step 8 — On acceptance of a place
On acceptance of a place, parents pay the deposit to secure their child's place
Subjects Tested at St. Joseph's College, Reading
Scholarships & Bursaries at St. Joseph's College, Reading
Available scholarships and bursaries: Around 25% means-tested financial assistance offered in Senior School. Fee assistance is reviewed annually. Applications for Year 7-Year 10 financial assistance for September 2027 entry: 20 November 2026.
Outcome announced: Reviewed annually by Bursary Assessment Associates
Additional notes: Sixth Form interviews with the Head and Head of Sixth Form take place in late November. Applicants are invited to a Sixth Form Taster Day to try A Level subjects.
Academic Performance at St Joseph's College, Reading (GCSE & A-Level Results)
St Joseph’s College is a co-educational Catholic school with a strong, well-rounded approach, and a Sixth Form that ranks among the highest nationally for progress.
- GCSE: a broad curriculum with strong individual support.
- A-Level: an excellent record — recently placed in the top 5% of schools nationally for 16–18 progress.
- Progression: strong progression to universities, apprenticeships and other pathways.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for St Joseph's College, Reading
As an independent school, St Joseph's has no catchment area; pupils come from across Reading and the surrounding area. Places are awarded on the entrance assessment and a taster day, and the College welcomes families of all faiths.
St Joseph's keeps fees below the market rate and offers around 25% means-tested assistance in the senior school, plus academic and performance scholarships; apply alongside your entry application.
Independent Practice Papers for St. Joseph's College, Reading
St. Joseph's College, Reading uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the St. Joseph's College, Reading 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1894 as St Joseph’s Convent School and fully co-educational since 2010 (when it was renamed St Joseph’s College), it is an independent Catholic day school (ages 3–18) in the centre of Reading, with the motto ‘Optima Deo’ (my best for God). Guided by Gospel values but welcoming families of all faiths and backgrounds, it is known for a warm, inclusive ‘family’ atmosphere, strong pastoral care and a deliberate commitment to keeping fees below the market rate (with around 25% of senior pupils receiving means-tested assistance).
It has a strong local reputation in music and drama, alongside a wide co-curricular programme and residential trips. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
St Joseph's College, Reading — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to St Joseph's College at 11+?
Register online directly with the College. Your child completes the school's own entrance assessment in English and Maths, attends a taster day and an interview, and a reference is taken from the current school.
What is the St Joseph's entrance assessment?
The College's own assessment in English and Mathematics, alongside a taster day, an interview and a school reference. It is not a highly selective competitive exam.
Is St Joseph's selective, and does it charge fees?
It is academically inclusive (serving a range of abilities) and charges fees, which it deliberately keeps below the market rate — around £5,039 a term for the senior school (confirm the current figure).
Is St Joseph's co-educational and Catholic?
Yes — it has been co-educational since 2010 and has a Roman Catholic ethos, while warmly welcoming families of all faiths and none.
Does St Joseph's have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits pupils from any area, across Reading and the surrounding region.
When is the assessment?
In the autumn/winter of Year 6 for September 2027 entry; check the school site for the exact date and registration window.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes — around 25% means-tested assistance in the senior school, plus academic and performance scholarships (the deadline for 2027-entry financial assistance is 20 November 2026).
Is St Joseph's an all-through school?
Yes — it educates pupils from age 3 to 18, so children can join the prep school earlier and progress to the senior school.
How can my child prepare?
Build confident Year 5/6 English and maths; the assessment rewards solid curriculum knowledge rather than heavy tutoring. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.