Red Balloon Reading

Our Centre focuses on the wellbeing and emotional development of our students, placing them at the heart of all that we do. We understand that families have often endured a difficult journey before their child reaches us, and so we work to ensure an inclusive and supportive environment. This may be through our Outreach Programme or in-Centre support offered to all our students.

All our students have either music or art therapy to support their emotional wellbeing and may also be able to participate in equine therapy. The Centre negotiates a curriculum with our students that covers core subjects in the National Curriculum as well as the humanities, art, PE, PSHE and Food Technology. Students can also take part in a whole host of enrichment opportunities through partner organisations, including mechanics, outdoor learning, and animal husbandry. Students are encouraged to plan and lead trips, and we have visited museums, galleries, zoos, and other cultural locations, as well as participating in a variety of sporting and adventure activities. The community also feels it is important to give back and so throughout the year staff and students take part in various fundraising activities.

A homemade lunch is provided by our housekeeper and is always delicious and healthy. We also have a garden, which is a beautiful place for lessons when the weather is nice. Our chill-out room provides a safe space for students to go to if they feel anxious or need a quiet space. Our Centre is located within walking distance of Reading town centre and is across the road from Reading College. Above all, the Reading Centre is a warm and friendly place where our students can feel safe and happy.

Michelle Masters
Head of Centre

About the Centre

RB-Reading provides a safe and supportive learning environment for up to 24 young people from Berkshire and surrounding counties. Our Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 16:30 during term time and students attend full-time or a reduced time-table depending on their needs and abilities.

Students can join RB-Reading from age 11 to 16. The highest level of education we offer is Key Stage 4 (GCSEs and equivalent).

Students leave Red Balloon with a variety of accreditations, ranging from AQA Awards through to Functional Skills and GCSE’s.

See more on Subjects and qualifications

About Red Balloon

At Red Balloon we judge success and progress for our students against their unique goals. It’s not about getting good grades, we want to see our students grow as individuals and develop the personal skills, social skills and confidence to make their way in the world.

All Red Balloon Centres are based on the three key elements of

• Wellbeing
• Education
• and Social re-engagement

to ensure our students get the support they need to thrive. Read more about our Values, ethos and practice.

Negotiated curriculum

All students are given the opportunity to negotiate their curriculum. This means that teachers use topics that students are passionate about – eg horse riding, manga comics, paintball or car racing – and creatively linked them to the curricular subjects to rekindle their interest in learning. Over the course of their time with us, students progress from one-to-one sessions to small group sessions. Forty per cent of our programme is dedicated to well-being support and therapy and students are offered a range of therapeutic support including talking, music, art, equine and play therapies.

At the heart of our community is our big communal kitchen and dining room. Here, staff and students come together to eat, celebrate birthdays and other festive occasions, play games or just sit and chat.

See more on What students can expect or Our Values, Ethos and Practice

Find out more about Red Balloon Reading

Enrolling with us

We welcome referrals throughout the year. To enquire about a place and add your child’s name to our waiting list, please contact us on 0118 958 3004 or admin@reading.rblc.org.uk.

For further information see Admissions.

If RB-Reading is not suitable for you or your child, do take a look at our online provision Red Balloon of the Air.

Safeguarding at Red Balloon Reading

Red Balloon Outreach Service

At Red Balloon Reading, we understand that it can be extremely difficult for some young people to learn in mainstream schools for a wide variety of reasons. We also understand the stress and anxiety parents/carers may feel, watching the often extreme difficulties their children can face.

Our Outreach Programmes are specifically created to support anxious, neurodiverse or trauma-affected individuals by delivering customised support, either at home or in familiar local settings. The aim is to overcome the barriers that prevent participation in everyday life, easing anxieties and building confidence. Through carefully designed one-to-one sessions, our team offers consistent, compassionate guidance to help young people develop key life skills, enhance social interaction, and reconnect with the world around them. We strive to create a safe and nurturing space where they can grow, explore opportunities, and take meaningful steps toward a more independent and fulfilling life.

Our Outreach Team supports progress in social, emotional, and mental health development by adapting our methods to suit the unique needs and aspirations of each person. This focused support encourages the development of emotional resilience, effective coping mechanisms, and stronger self-regulation. Ultimately, young people experience lasting improvements in their overall wellbeing, empowering them to succeed across all areas of their lives.

Our work starts with connection and building trusting relationships in order to help students understand their own difficulties and reasons why they may behave in a certain way, build self-confidence and self-esteem, develop a stronger ‘sense of self’ and support in moving forward in their educational journey. Most support takes place in a safe space of the student’s choosing which can be home, a social or communal area such as a cafe or in a safe space at school.

Schools can refer students currently on roll who are finding it difficult to attend mainstream education. Placements can be funded directly by the school, or you may wish to liaise with your local SEND Team to request funding through the appropriate panel. Please ring Michelle (Head of Centre) on 0118 9583004 or Sam (Outreach Manager) on 07851539776 or email admin@reading.rblc.org.uk for further details or if you wish to discuss how our team can help your students.