There are approximately 825 pupils in the School, including 300 in the Sixth Form.
For over 40 years Reading Blue Coat has had a co-educational Sixth Form. In September 2023, the school welcomed girls into Year 7 and we look forward to being fully co-educational in all year groups by 2027.
In 2023-24, 54% of Year 7 pupils joined us from independent schools, 44% from state primary schools, and 2% from overseas schools.
Pupils join us from a very diverse range of schools. In 2023-24, the 102 pupils who joined Year 7 came from 63 different schools.
We normally expect around 350 applications for between 100 and 120 places.
There is no definitive pass mark. Each candidate is considered on his individual merits, although we do need to be confident that each pupil will be able to cope with the pace of the academic curriculum at Reading Blue Coat.
No – however, the Admissions team is happy to provide general feedback to the parents of successful or unsuccessful candidates.
All pupils are expected to arrive at school by 8.35am and the last academic lesson finishes at 4.10pm. The School and Common Rooms are open from 7.45am and pupils can buy breakfast in the Dining Hall before school, if required. A number of our pupils stay behind after school to participate in a variety of after-school activities, which generally finish by 6pm. Pupils can buy light snacks after school before starting their activities. The School Library is open between 8am and 6pm each day.
The majority of pupils complete prep at home, although pupils can remain in school until 6pm and do their prep in the Library.
There are nine 35-minute lessons in a day; six in the morning and three in the afternoon. In the Lower School, most lessons will be 35 minutes, apart from practical subjects such as Art, Design Technology, and Games. As students progress through the school, the number of double lessons will increase. The School runs a two-week timetable.
We offer A Levels only.
We offer French, German, Latin, and Spanish. At least one language is taken to GCSE level in Year 11.