WHAT? WHERE?

St Joseph’s College is an independent co-ed day school in central Reading, taking kids from the age of 3-18. The school’s contained on one site with the Senior School occupying the imposing red-brick old convent and the Prep and Acorn Centre (Pre-Reception) safely tucked away in a purpose-built space at the rear.

St Joseph's College Reading prep school pupils outside school

The numbers are small for an all-through school – 600, with 160 across Pre-Reception to Y6. This former convent school was founded by the Sisters of St Marie Madeleine Postel to educate girls, but went fully co-ed in 2010, changed its name and made the bold decision to reduce its fees by 17%. Yes, you heard me, the fees went down – you’ll struggle to find this kind of value anywhere else in Reading or anywhere else in Berkshire.

St Joseph's College Reading pre reception children running outside

That doesn’t mean you’re getting a ‘budget’ education. The teaching is excellent, wellbeing and mental health is a priority and although the facilities are not as glossy as other Senior schools, they have all the boxes ticked and make good use of Reading Uni’s vast offering. Hard working parents looking for an independent, small school, look no further. Just don’t expect bucolic acres at a town centre school.

FACILITIES

St Joseph's College Reading prep school field

The Prep School has its own exclusive playgrounds, outdoor play areas, trim trail, ‘grow your own’ garden, a multi-purpose hall that transforms from gym to theatre, plus there’s a small chapel, library and lots of light bright classrooms that flow around the building as the children progress up the year groups. They also make use of Senior School facilities including the College hall, sports facilities, music school, theatre, art room, swimming pool and science labs.

SPORT

Plenty of sport being played here and match days are light on full throttle competitiveness and more focused on having fun. That said, the College Deputy Head (Prep) Sharon Boccaccini has to temper her own competitive edge – but the England hockey tracksuit has been known to come out. Disarming for any opposition. They head out to the sports field for football, rugby, athletics and cricket, there are two all-weather pitches for hockey, football and netball, plus a heated indoor swimming pool.

From Reception the children have weekly swim lessons and you can sign up for extra sessions at St Joseph’s Swim School. We love that they offer women-only adult lessons too. In a radical move, the Director of Sport, actually gives the kids the power to choose – which could mean playing hockey or football, for instance. Many girls choose football and love the opportunity to play in a mixed team. Girls football and cricket are really taking off, so keep an eye on the trophy cabinet.

MUSIC, ART, DRAMA

St Joseph's College Reading music concert

There is no shortage of music, drama and dance at the Prep School. Each year there are two drama productions, one for the Year 3 and Year 4 pupils (most recently Starwarts), and one for Year 5 to Year 8 pupils (most recently The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe). During my visit, the boys and girls were busy with ballet rehearsals and there was a lot of buzz about the upcoming nativities and Christmas Carol Service which takes place in the Senior School College Hall.

Music lessons and individual peripatetic tuition take place at the swanky Music Centre – there’s 13 pianos to learn Chopsticks or so much more. Plus there are lots of Co-curricular opportunities to get involved in astronomy club and fencing to name just two.

SCHOOL

St Joseph's College Reading prep pupil playing with a tyre

There’s been more focus on outdoor education, with a working garden created to give littlies the opportunity to grow their own food. Forest School is still in its infancy but it’s very much part of the College’s outdoor education strategy. Not an easy programme to deliver in such an urban location but the team are nothing but creative. They’re organising a residential indoor camping trip, pitching tents in the prep hall so the kids can have that sleeping under canvas experience – many for the first time.

St Joseph's College Reading STEAM EXPERIMENT WITH CAR

The school has also invested in balance bikes to ensure all pupils develop bike riding skills and Bikeability (the cooler version of Cycling Proficiency) is an option for the older Prep pupils on site. There’s a calmness to the school and the children are happy, engaged and articulate. The Y6 girls who showed me around were chatty and eager to talk about the things they loved. The new trim trail is hands down their favourite thing. Moving to the Senior School is less daunting – it’s familiar territory for them – and the Y5s and Y6s now have their lunch with the Y7s and Y8s to help with the transition and shared clubs. Pupil benefit, be it academic or wellbeing, is front and centre.

WHAT ELSE?

It’s worth addressing the Catholic issue. It’s easy to assume the school is heavy on the fire and brimstone. That’s not to say it wears its faith lightly either. The foundations are fundamentally Catholic Christian in terms of learning, looking out for one another, sense of community, service and self-worth. That said, it’s not a school full of ‘Holy Joes’. All faiths or none are welcome. Some parents will shortlist St Joseph’s because it’s Catholic, but it’s not the majority. To be honest, if my kids lived life following this moral code, I’d be doing cartwheels. Plus the lay chaplain is a great asset for staff and kids to turn to if they need an ear.

LITTLIES

The youngest St Joseph’s recruits start their journey at the Acorn Centre from aged 3. This is a large open plan space with a natural aesthetic, brought to life with displays of artwork that also lean into the environment. Far from being a primary colour assault on the senses, it was calm. The teaching staff are young, energetic and brimming with ideas. A lot of work has been done to help socialise these Covid babies. Many of them missed out on play dates and playing at the park, so the concept of playing with other children can be a bit alien. It’s very proactive. Need is identified and provision is put in place. There’s a lot to love about that.

ACADEMICS

St Joseph's College Reading prep school class

The quality of the teaching is excellent. It’s not a pressure cooker by any means but knowledge, understanding, numeracy and writing are well above average here. Parents with their eyes on the grammar school prize, often choose St Joseph’s College for early years because of its academic record. That said, 75% of children stay put.

The focus is very much on preparing the children emotionally, mentally and physically for their future. The school works hard on the 5 Cs – communication, collaboration, commitment, confidence and compassion. If you nail them, you’ll be set for life, with the capacity to learn new skills as you go (it never stops, does it?). Right now the school is on a mission to encourage more home reading. Openly and honestly asking parents to read with their children. The team here are not afraid to have difficult conversations if it helps the kids.

PASTORAL CARE

The pastoral care is exceptional. St Joseph’s prioritises the mental health of both the pupils and staff. There is a Chaplaincy and Wellbeing Centre if you’re having a bad day or need a moment of reflection. Staff are trained in Mental Health First Aid to spot the signs if individuals are struggling. Knowing the school recognises the scale of the problems young people face, is impressive and reassuring for parents.

The health and wellbeing of the kids is paramount (especially post Covid), and the importance put on it is a big plus point for me. Catholic principles underpin much of the pastoral care which may not appeal to some, but you cannot fault the integrity of the school community to scoop each and every person up.

THE HEAD

Head St Joseph's College Reading Laura Stotesbury

Headteacher Laura Stotesbury joined St Joseph’s College in September 2021 from Prior Park College in Bath where she was Deputy Head (Academic) and is in charge of the whole school. She’s very warm and down to earth, yet unapologetically ambitious for the school and its pupils. Stotesbury is keen to crack on with a wish list of developmental improvements, but she’s taking a conservative approach to spending that is necessary when you’re balancing the books and need to keep the fees in the affordable fun zone – essential with so much political noise about VAT on fees.

There have been changes to the senior leadership team, introducing two College Deputy Heads – Prep (Sharon Boccaccini) and Seniors (Natalia Jwaideh), plus a layer of Assistant Heads who have individual responsibility for Curriculum, Enrichment, Teaching and Learning and Safeguarding.

Sharon Boccaccini is College Deputy Head (Prep) and she’s a straight-talking pocket rocket with the energy and enthusiasm of a Duracell bunny bringing a wealth of experience to the role having worked at Brockhurst and Marlston House and The Oratory Prep. You’ll often spot her waving a hockey stick in the air in class and teaching science for Y7 and Y9.

In case you missed it earlier, she’s also a England Hockey Masters Manager, with a competitive spirit that occasionally needs a cork in it. Her own boys attended a grammar school, so she knows the good, bad and ugly of the 11+ entry exams as well as the hot house vibe. Many kids (too many for her liking) are having tuition outside of school. While St Joseph’s won’t prepare the kids for the test academically, they’ll keep a close eye on the child’s emotional wellbeing. I liked her a lot.

QUIRKS

The Sisters have moved out, but one woman from the Order of Sisters of St Marie Madeleine Postel still lives on site. Sister Helen, 91, is actively involved as a school governor and can often be seen at mass. It’s like having your grandma for a visit and never going home, which sounds a bit odd, but the pupils and staff are incredibly fond of her.

A town-centre school has many benefits but space isn’t one of them. Walking around the compact site, you don’t get the impression the kids are missing out. They have everything they need and more with access to the University of Reading’s stellar facilities. On the plus side, being so central, the children grow to understand how to stay safe in the urban jungle.

WRAP AROUND CARE

St Joseph's College Reading pre reception having a snack

Frazzled parents constantly juggling work and children, there is an extended stay provision to 6pm for all ages. Very handy if you have kids in Prep and Senior school. Kids can arrive from 7.45am for Breakfast Club (school starts at 8.20am) and stay until 6pm. There’s an abundance of after school clubs too– from the usual sport and performing arts clubs and societies to quirkier STEM, cultural and academic activities. The Acorn Centre is open all year round (50 weeks) and Holiday Clubs (open to all) run during the school holidays – a godsend for working parents.

ISI REPORT

Last reviewed by inspectors in 2022 – noting the kids were excellent communicators, highly focused, confident and resilient. High praise for the Prep across all year groups for their academic progress and writing skills. The depth of creative thinking was flagged as needing a bit of work. Click the report here.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

No major surprise to see mobiles and other techy bits and bobs are not permitted in the Prep. Once you move up to Senior School, there’s a bit more flexibility.

FEES

Brace yourselves, because I’ve never seen figures like it while reviewing independent schools: Pre-Reception £2,946 per term; Reception-Y2 £3,869, Y3-6 £4,187. Seriously good value.

WORD ON THE GROUND

St Joseph's College Reading prep school pupils with abacus

No murmurings of discontent. Parents feel they get exceptional value for money, with many raving about the quality of teaching, emphasis on life skills, kids’ wellbeing and the family feel. Some admitted to initial concerns about sports opportunities and that spending is more considered here, but that’s the trade off. Ultimately, their children were confident, happy, doing very well academically and the exams results speak for themselves

THE MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR: Those looking for a quality all-round education where academic standards and wellbeing sit in perfect harmony. There’s a lot to like about the focus on being real world ready – independent, caring, well-rounded individuals.

NOT FOR: If you’re looking for an academic hot house, fresh out the box facilities and acres of playing fields, then St Joseph’s isn’t the place for you.

DARE TO DISAGREE? Have a look for yourself! You can check out the list of all their upcoming open events here. Get organised and book now!

Read the St Joseph’s College Senior School review here.

St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Rd, Reading RG1 5JT. Tel: 0118 966 1000.

St Joseph’s College (Prep), Reading

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