Waverley
PreparatoryBest Prep School in Berkshire - Waverley in Wokingham's Rankings
Waverley Preparatory School is a leading independent prep and pre-prep school in Wokingham, Berkshire, for boys and girls from 3 months to 11 years. Our consistently strong academic results have seen Waverley recognised among the UK's highest-performing prep schools, including being ranked 15th in the UK and Best in Berkshire based on our Year 6 SATs results.
Academic success is only one part of the Waverley experience. With small classes, single-form entry and a genuinely personalised approach to education, we know every child as an individual and provide the support, challenge and encouragement they need to flourish.
Waverley Ranked 15th in the UK and 'Best in Berkshire'
Waverley is currently ranked 15th in the UK out of more than 20,000 primary and prep schools, based on the Department for Education's rankings using our Year 6 SATs results.
We are also proud to have been recognised as 'Best in Berkshire', having appeared consistently in The Times Top 100 Prep Schools for 14 consecutive years.
These rankings provide independent recognition of the academic achievements of Waverley pupils and reflect the consistently high standards we set across the school.
Outstanding Academic SATS Results
Waverley's national ranking is supported by the exceptional academic outcomes in our Year 6's SATS results of 2026.
In 2026, 95% of Waverley Year 6 pupils achieved the expected standard or Greater Depth across reading, writing and maths, compared with a national average of 62%. In mathematics, 100% of our pupils met the accepted standard, compared with a national average of 73%. Read more about our 2026 SATS results here.
These results are particularly significant because Waverley is a non-selective school. Our pupils are not selected academically at entry; instead, we work closely with each child to understand their individual strengths, interests and areas for development.
What Makes Waverley's Results So Special
Waverley is a single-form entry independent prep school in Wokingham, with one class per year group and small class sizes. This enables our teachers to build strong relationships with pupils and understand how each child learns best.
Our approach combines high expectations with a nurturing environment. Pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves, develop resilience and take pride in their achievements, while receiving individual support when they need it.
Alongside a strong academic curriculum, children have opportunities to develop their talents in sport, music, performing arts, art and a wide range of co-curricular activities.
We believe children achieve their best when they are happy, confident and excited about learning. Read more here.
Excellent Senior School Destinations
Waverley's academic success provides a strong foundation for the next stage of each child's education.
Our priority is always to help every pupil find the right senior school for them, whether that is an independent, grammar or state school. Our 2026 Year 6 leavers achieved outstanding outcomes:
- 93% secured a place at their first-choice senior school
- 97% achieved a pass for selective senior schools
- 86% received multiple secondary-school offers
- 47% received at least one senior-school scholarship offer
Our recent Year 6 pupils have been offered places at selective secondary schools including: Reading Boys Grammar, Kendrick Girls Grammar in Reading, Bradfield College, Reading Blue Coat School, Wellington College, Pangbourne College, Lord Wandsworth College and many more. Read the full list here.
Scholarships were awarded across a range of areas including academics, sport, music and the performing arts.
These results demonstrate that Waverley's success extends beyond SATs results and rankings, helping pupils progress confidently to a wide range of highly regarded senior schools.
More Than Just Academics
While our national ranking is something we are extremely proud of, we believe a great prep school should offer much more than excellent examination results. At Waverley, children are encouraged to discover their talents, develop their confidence and embrace new opportunities. Waverley is a nurturing, warm, family-friendly school where every child is celebrated.
Our pupils benefit from a broad curriculum and extensive opportunities in:
- Sport and competitive athletics
- Music
- Performing arts
- Art
- Drama
- Outdoor learning
- Clubs, specialist workshops and co-curricular activities, including gymnastics, fencing, lego, movie club, magic club and many more. Read about our After School Club here.
In 2026, Waverley pupils were crowned National Athletics Champions at the Independent Schools Association Championships – another example of the breadth of opportunity available to our pupils. Read about our athletics success here.
Waverley's Uniqueness is..
- Ranked 15th in the UK
- Ranked 'Best in Berkshire'
- Exceptional SATS results
- Strong selective-school and grammar school outcomes
- Small classes (average of 21 per class) and single-form entry (one class per year group)
- Warm, nurturing and a genuinely personalised approach
- National Athletics Champions 2026
Discover More
- Secondary School Destinations
- Visit Waverley - arrange a 1-2-1 tour
