Contact information
Senior School
0118 9661000
mailbox@sjcr.org.uk
Prep School
0118 9846910
prepoffice@sjcr.org.uk
Admissions
0118 9846909
admissions@sjcr.org.uk
Our location
Upper Redlands Rd, Reading RG1 5JT
Frequently asked questions
What is the ratio of boys to girls in each year and what are the class sizes?
Approximately the ratio is 50:50 but it varies slightly in each year group. Small class sizes are a key part of what makes St Joseph’s special. In the Prep School, classes are limited to 22 pupils, rising to 24 in Years 5 and 6. In the Senior School, class sizes remain capped at 24, often reducing further from Year 9 as students choose their option subjects. In the Sixth Form, most classes are even smaller, with a maximum of 18 students, allowing for highly personalised teaching and strong academic support throughout each stage of a pupil’s journey.
Do you accept children with additional needs and what support do you provide them?
St Joseph’s is a highly inclusive and diverse community that warmly welcomes students with a range of needs, including those who are neurodivergent or have physical disabilities. We encourage prospective parents to be open about their child’s individual requirements, so we can ensure the College is well-placed to support their academic and emotional development. While we acknowledge that some areas of our historic site may not be fully accessible, we are always happy to have a one-to-one conversation to understand what is most important for each student. We have successfully supported pupils with a range of needs, including limb difference, visual impairment and auditory impairment. More information is available on our website – Learning Support.
Do you award academic scholarships for gifted children?
St Joseph’s College does not offer financial scholarships; however, for children who are academically gifted, we provide a Student Extension Programme for students in Year 8, 9, 10 and 12.
For those looking for financial support, we offer a limited amount of means-tested financial assistance in the Senior School. More information is available in our Guide to Applying for Means-Tested Financial Assistance.
How many children sit the Entrance Assessment annually and how many places are available?
As a selective school, we assess more applicants than we have available spaces. Our Year 7 cohort typically has around 66 places, and approximately 40 are available to external candidates each year.
What outdoor space do you have available?
On site, we have a multi-use sports field and two all-weather pitches, plus a dedicated play space for our Pre-Reception and Reception classes. The Prep School has a ‘grow your own garden’ and its own playgrounds. In addition, we have established strong partnerships within the local community — including with the University of Reading — which gives us access to a wide range of high-quality sporting facilities. More information is on our website about our Sports and Outdoor Education provision.
How religious is the College?
St Joseph’s provides a warm and inclusive community where students of all faiths and backgrounds are welcomed. We aim to encourage, inspire, challenge and support pupils to fulfil their potential in a community founded on Catholic Christian values. Our ethos emphasises the development of life skills such as commitment, collaboration, confidence, compassion and communication.
Our central message to young people is to care for themselves, their neighbour and care for our common home, the Earth. We believe these are tenets to living a good life for everyone, those with faith and without.
Students in the Senior School attend College Mass (the central act of worship in the Catholic Church) three times a year, in the Prep School this frequence depends on their age. At Mass all pupils are welcome to choose to receive a blessing, but only those who have been baptised and made their first Holy Communion in the Catholic Church will receive the Eucharist.
Religious Education is a compulsory GCSE, taken in Year 10 and students typically study 9 further GCSE exams. At GCSE level, the course focuses on Catholicism, Judaism, and Philosophy and Ethics. Throughout the College, the curriculum explores a variety of world religions.
How do you fare in the league tables for exams?
At St Joseph’s, our goal is to provide a well-rounded education that fosters academic excellence while nurturing personal growth, ensuring students remain balanced and grounded. We encourage students to strive for their best in exams, applying pressure thoughtfully and in alignment with their individual needs. We celebrate diversity and individuality, ensuring students are not confined to a single persona but are supported in becoming their authentic selves. More information is available on our Results and Achievements page.
Do you provide your own school transport and what public buses service the College?
Yes, we provide our own school bus service in partnership with Zeelo. To view full transport details, visit our website – Transport & Uniform.
Do you provide wrap around care?
Yes, we offer wrap-around care with extended day services available before and after school. For more information, visit our website – Wrap Around Care.
