Day Students
A distinctive approach
Padworth College welcomes day students as full members of the school community and encourages them to participate in every aspect of school life. Padworth's distinctive approach is characterised by very small, informal, tutorial-style classes (typically 6-8), highly qualified and experienced teaching staff, excellent pastoral care and an impressive range of activities and challenges. There is no uniform, all members of the school community are known by their first names, and rules are kept to the necessary minimum.
As a relatively small school with a maximum of 120 students, we believe that Padworth offers a unique alternative for students who benefit from individual attention, an informal atmosphere and the strong expectation that students are here to work and to achieve their potential. We do not select students on the basis of ability but prefer to meet with the student and their parents or guardians to discuss how Padworth can help them to meet their educational needs. Students are accepted at any age between 13 and 19 and at any point in the year and we are particularly experienced in helping students who are, for one reason or another, changing schools midway through their course.
The focus at Padworth is on enabling each student to fulfil his or her academic potential through following a programme designed to match their individual circumstances, needs and academic goals.
Day Student Centre
The Day Student Centre provides day students with a Common Room in which to study and relax during breaktimes and lockers in which to store their personal property.
A typical day
The School day starts at 8.45am and continues until 5.15pm except on Fridays when classes end at 4.00pm. We provide a daily bus service which currently serves West Reading, Aldermaston and Mortimer stations. Please contact us for more details of the bus routes.
A full lunch is offered to day students and those who arrive early or stay late are welcome to join boarders' breakfast or supper. The catering team, led by a full-time chef, provides an outstanding range and variety of food - a choice of a hot meal, salad bar or filled baguettes is on offer every day - and all dietary requirements are catered for.
A range of activities is offered at lunchtimes and after school and students are encouraged to participate in at least two activities per week to develop social, sporting and intellectual skills. Day students are also welcome to take part in the regular weekend excursions organised for the boarders to cultural, theatrical or recreational attractions.
Student support
All day students come under the care of a senior staff member of the Residential House team who is available throughout the school day to help students with any matters which may arise. The College Nurse is in the Surgery four mornings per week to deal with medical issues.
Each student is allocated a Personal Tutor with whom they have a timetabled session each week to follow up topical public or internal issues; The Tutor will help with any areas of concern and will give both academic and pastoral guidance.
Academic reports
Termly reports are prepared for each student to update parents on progress on a regular basis. Padworth welcomes parents of day students to visit the college at any time, giving reasonable notice if they wish to meet with teachers or the Principal and organizes an annual Parents Evening to provide an informal opportunity to talk to the subject teachers. Parents are also invited to a number of social events which are held at the College throughout the academic year.