Reading School

01/10/2026

Meet our Subject Speaker: David Pocock (OR 1971–1978) Civil Engineer & Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers

With more than 40 years’ experience across civil engineering and infrastructure, David has worked with Taylor Woodrow, Halcrow and Jacobs on projects around the world, including establishing a regional business in the UAE.

At our Failure, Disaster and Near Misses conference, David will examine what engineering failures can teach us and how predictive maintenance can help identify problems before they become disasters.

Whether you’re a student taking your first steps into engineering or an established professional, join us on 23rd October to share knowledge, exchange perspectives and explore new ideas across the profession.

Book your place today: https://pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

School

29/09/2026

Meet our Subject Speaker: Raghuv Bhasin (OR 1998–2003) Chief Executive, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

We're thrilled to welcome Raghuv Bhasin to this year's conference, a healthcare leader whose journey began at Reading School. From there, he built an extraordinary career at the heart of UK healthcare policy and delivery.

In conversation at this year's conference, Raghuv will explore how crises have been averted in healthcare and what hospitals can learn from them, in his talk "Near Misses in Patient Safety."

Don't miss this chance to hear his insights first-hand. Book your ticket today and join us on 23rd October! https://pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

School

28/09/2026

Somewhere at the National Theatre, a playwright has just finished a script that has never been performed. Our students are about to be among the first to stage it.

Reading School has joined National Theatre Connections, which commissions new plays for young people. This is far more than a school production as it’s a chance to be part of a nationally recognised programme and experience a professional rehearsal and performance process.

We would like to thank all the enthusiastic, dedicated students who have attended rehearsals and it’s not too late – the last rehearsal is today, Monday 28 September, after school!

25/09/2026

Frydenhøj Exchange in Denmark: Science, sabres and smørrebrød

Our Year 9 and 10 students have spent the week in Copenhagen with our exchange partners at Frydenhøj School. They've been experiencing Danish life alongside their partners, and it has been a proper education in the everyday parts of the culture: the food, the timetable, activities and sights.

In the classroom, each boy teamed up with his Danish partner to build a science presentation on sustainability. Denmark is a useful place to study the subject. It gets a large share of its electricity from wind, and the practical work reflected that, with students testing model turbines and measuring voltage output. One pair tested the fan more thoroughly than the turbine, and their hair has the results.

Away from the lab, the group got a fencing lesson at a local club: masks on, blades out, and a good deal of lunging. In the school kitchens they learned traditional Danish cooking, including smørrebrød, the open sandwich on rye that Danes take seriously. We're told the boys didn't treat it as a snack.

There was time for Copenhagen too which included the Royal Library garden and a visit to Hans Christian Andersen's statue by City Hall.

Our thanks go to Ms Senftlechner and the staff team, and to our hosts at Frydenhøj.

24/09/2026

Our Round Table Discussion brings together voices across disciplines for an unscripted, honest conversation about failure in practice.

Are you an economist, policy maker, engineer, entrepreneur or medic? We want you at the table. Come share the moments that didn't go to plan, what you learned from them, and how they shaped where you are now.

Leading you into these discussions will be Headmaster, Chris Evans (OR 1990-1997), alongside:

🔹 Dr Carl Cater (OR 1986–1993) - Associate Professor in Tourism Management at Swansea University; Professor at University of Highlands & Islands

🔹 Dominic Eldred-Earl (OR 1987–1992) - Author, Publisher & Senior Speaker Consultant

Register now to be part of the discussion: https://alumni.reading-school.co.uk/events/view/interdisciplinary-academic-conference-2026-friday-23-october-2026

23/09/2026

Join us for the Michaelmas Concert - Thursday 8th October 2026 from 18:00.

This concert brings together many of the School's leading ensembles, choirs and soloists in a vibrant programme spanning a rich variety of musical styles and traditions.

This year's highlights include ambitious junior and senior choral and orchestral works featuring Elgar, Parry and Strauss, alongside performances from our Guitar Ensemble and Junior String Orchestra.

We hope you can join us to celebrate the breadth of musical talent at Reading School, as students of all ages come together for a truly enjoyable evening of music.

Book your tickets here: https://alumni.reading-school.co.uk/events/view/michaelmas-concert-2026

21/09/2026

Just a reminder that our first open coffee morning of the year is this Thursday!

Join Deputy Head, Mrs Lizzie Ayres, for a relaxed chance to chat, ask questions and connect with school staff.

We'd especially love to see Year 7 parents and our new Year 12 parents, but everyone is very welcome!

Want to feel involved in school life and up to date with what's going on?

Our first Open Coffee Morning of the year takes place on Thursday 24th September 2026, from 8:30 AM.

Join Deputy Head, Lizzie Ayres, for a relaxed, informal morning of conversation, school updates and the chance to connect with staff and other families from across the Reading School community.

Whether your child has just started Year 7 or entered as a new Sixth Form student, there's plenty of time to ask questions, share experiences and meet other parents walking the same path (or one step ahead of you!).

RSVP here: https://alumni.reading-school.co.uk/events/view/open-coffee-morning-with-the-headmaster-michaelmas-term-2026-2027

19/09/2026

We're excited to welcome back Old Redingensians at every stage of the journey — from budding undergraduates to leading professionals with careers built across continents and sectors.

Some in the room will have earned a string of titles, the kind few school communities are lucky enough to include. Others are just starting out, finding their feet in careers still taking shape. It's this mix — accomplished and aspiring alike — that gives the day its value, with as much to be learned from a shared coffee as from anything on the agenda.

On the day, they'll all be back where they first learned to be curious, to get things wrong, and to keep going. That same curiosity is what makes the room worth being in. The best conversations won't be on the agenda — they'll happen over coffee between sessions, and keep going long after it ends.

Stay on for dinner, live music and a keynote from Dr Peter Coggan - Professor of Family Medicine; Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Book your place: https://alumni.reading-school.co.uk/events/view/interdisciplinary-academic-conference-2026-friday-23-october-2026

17/09/2026

What can failure teach a former civil servant, an epidemiologist, an engineer and a global health strategist?

Find out at this year's Interdisciplinary Academic Conference, where four Old Redingensians unpack the lessons learnt across four very different careers.

Chairing the panel: Duncan Cook (OR 2000–2007), former Senior Civil Servant & PhD researcher, alongside:

🔹 Prof. Neil Mansfield (OR 1982–1989) — Executive Dean for Research & International, Nottingham Trent University; Professor of Human Factors Engineering
🔹 Prof. Ben Cowling MBE FFPH (OR 1990–1997) — Chair Professor of Epidemiology; Head of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Hong Kong
🔹 Philip Davies (OR 1967–1974) — Global Health Executive & Policy Advisor, with a four-decade career spanning health policy, consulting and government leadership across four continents

Book your place and bring your questions: https://pages.reading-school.co.uk/conference

17/09/2026

Year 10s set off on their Bronze DofE expedition last weekend during two days of walking, one night under canvas, and by all accounts the weather didn't make it easy.

Most of the work happens before anyone starts walking. Rucksacks get checked, routes get briefed, and then, once a group is out on their assessed section, that's it, no adult walks alongside them. Staff track the route and check in at set points, but on the ground it's down to the students: reading a map when the path on the ground doesn't quite match the one on paper, sorting out who carries what when somebody's bag turns out to be too heavy, getting a tent up before the light goes.

Well done to everyone who got through their trek.