Reading Blue Coat has undergone many changes since the School’s foundation was laid in Richard Aldworth’s Will of 1646 and we began our journey.

Girls joined the Sixth Form in 1987 and, this summer, it was reported that the School has plans to change again, extending the co-educational provision as we welcome girls into Year 7. We will begin working towards complete co-education from September 2023. Having a mixed Sixth Form is fantastic, but to learn to support and encourage, challenge and compete together throughout adolescence will be even better. For almost all our joiners into Year 7 it will also be a very natural progression, with over 95% of our feeder schools at Year 7 being co-educational themselves. Extending co-education is a very significant change, but one that is right for the pupils and for the School. This year we have been keen to articulate five core values of aspiration, compassion, courage, integrity and service. All of these were needed to establish the School and they are essentials to be expected, encouraged and developed so that they help to shape a Blue Coat student’s life, both at school and beyond.

As I did, when I first walked up the drive five years ago, I hope you find Reading Blue Coat to be a gem of a site as well as a wonderfully happy and progressive school. We know that strong academic results open doors, but more than ever our children need nurture and encouragement to gain the confidence and independence to walk through them. To be kind and engaged is what we expect of every member of our community. Kind to one another and to ourselves, and engaged with learning and the wealth of opportunities that can be enjoyed in and away from the classroom.

Pete Thomas

Headmaster