Applying to Reading Blue Coat

Choosing a school for your child can seem like a daunting task, especially as many schools have different entry requirements and timings for their admissions rounds. We hope that these pages will explain the admissions procedures for entry to Reading Blue Coat at the key entry points of Year 7 (11+), Year 9 (13+) and Sixth Form (16+). If you need further information, we are always happy to discuss any aspects of your child’s application by telephone or email.

Our contact details are as follows:

Mrs Charlotte Peacock, Admissions Manager

Mrs Ali Roberts, Admissions Officer

Mrs Vikki Pollard, Admissions Administrator

0118 933 5806; admissions@rbcs.org.uk

Entry Points

11+ Entry 

11+ is the main point of entry into Reading Blue Coat.

The admissions round for entry into Year 7 begins in September of Year 6.

There are three elements to our selection process: an interview, an assessment and a satisfactory school reference.

During October, pupils registered for entry will be invited via email to attend an assessment day November or early December. Taking place between Monday and Friday, the day includes an interview with a member of staff, academic assessments and team-building activities.

If your child is entitled to examination concessions, such as extra time, use of laptops etc., arrangements may be put in place for some of the assessments, provided we receive appropriate evidence from an educational psychologist and the school reference confirms this to be the normal way of working. All evidence must be submitted by Friday 1 November 2024.

School Reference

We will contact prep and primary school heads for school references during the autumn term of Year 6.

Frequently Asked Questions – Co-Education from Year 7

Admission Timetable for September 2025 entry:

September 2024 Admissions round begins
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date for 11+ applications
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date for bursary applications
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date to submit supporting SEND evidence
Mid – late November 2024 Assessment days for all registered pupils
October – December 2024 References obtained from prep and primary schools
Friday 3 January 2025 Closing date for scholarship applications
W/C Monday 13 January 2025 Offers of places sent to parents
Mid – late January 2025 Scholarship assessments
Late February 2025 Post offer event
Friday 7 March 2025 Final date to accept offers
Monday 10 March 2025 Waiting list offers made

 

13+ Entry

Please be aware that as a predominantly 11+ entry school, the number of places in Year 9 is limited.

Registration for pupils’ entry into Year 9 begins in the Summer Term of Year 6. Registered pupils are invited to attend an assessment day in the Autumn term of Year 7, during which they will have an interview with a member of staff, undertake academic assessments and participate in team-building activities.

Pupils will sit online assessments which test verbal and non-verbal skills, as well as English and Mathematics.

If your child is entitled to examination concessions, such as extra time, use of laptops etc. arrangements can be put in place for some of the assessments provided we receive appropriate evidence from an educational psychologist and the school reference confirms this to be the normal way of working. All evidence must be submitted by Friday 1 November 2024.

School Reference

We will contact prep school heads for school references during the autumn term of Year 7.

Entry for 2025 

The admissions round for September 2025 has now closed, please contact the admissions office to discuss the possibility of a late application.

Entry for 2026 

Registration for Year 9 2026 is open.

Entry for 2027

Registration for Year 9 2027 will open in Summer Term 2025.

Admission Timetable for September 2026 entry:

September 2024 Admissions round begins
September – October 2024 References obtained from Prep schools
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date for applications for 2026 entry
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date to submit supporting SEND evidence
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date for scholarship applications for 2025 entry
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date for bursary applications for 2025 entry
November 2024  13+ assessment day for all registered pupils
W/C Monday 2 December 2024 Offers of places sent to parents
Friday 31 January 2025 Final date to accept offers
March 2025 onwards Late applications considered subject to availability

Sixth Form Entry

Reading Blue Coat welcomes applications from students from both state and independent schools. All prospective students are required to submit a formal letter of application at the time of registration (the letter of application should be emailed to the Admissions Office at admissions@rbcs.org.uk. We recommend students include reasons for their application, their initial A level subject choices and details of their co-curricular interests. The application letter forms the basis for discussion at interview.  Interviews take place in October and November of the year prior to entry, i.e. early in Year 11.

Our Sixth Form consists of approximately 300 students, of whom around one third are girls.

The curriculum is widespread, with 28 subjects on offer, as well as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), designed specifically to develop students’ skills and interests in preparation for either university or the work place.

Our students are encouraged to become involved in the many co-curricular activities on offer in order to broaden their experience and enjoyment of school life.

Offers of places are made in early December.

Late applicants may be considered subject to availability of places.

School Reference

We will contact a student’s current school for a reference during the autumn term of Year 11.

Entry requirements

To qualify for the Sixth Form at Reading Blue Coat, we expect you to attain at least eight GCSEs at grade 5 or above. Ideally two of these grades must be at grade 7 or above, a further four grades at grade 6 and two at grade 5. In addition, all students are required to have passed both English Language and Mathematics at grade 5 or above.

Students should be aware that there are minimum grade requirements for certain A Level courses. More details of exact course requirements will be found within the Sixth Form Options booklet.

Admission Timetable for September 2025 entry:*

Tuesday 15 October 2024 Sixth Form Open Evening
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date for Sixth Form applications
Friday 1 November 2024 Closing date for bursary applications 
Week beginning 2 December 2024 Closing date for scholarship applications for 2025 entry
Monday 3 January 2025 Closing date for scholarship applications
Monday 20 January 2025 Final date to accept offers (except for Bursary and Scholarship applicants)
January 2025 Sixth Form Options Evening for external applicants
January 2025 onwards Late applications considered subject to availability

* External candidates only
** Conditional offers subject to GCSE results

Additional information for parents

Visiting the School Apply Online Keep Exploring