Founded in 1646, Reading Blue Coat is a school steeped in history, but with its eye very much focused on the future.  With our values of aspiration, compassion, courage, integrity and service underpinning all that we do, our aim is for excellence in everything, for everyone; for the whole community to thrive because we are engaged in what we do and kind in how we do it.

 

We are extremely fortunate to have a beautiful, Thames fronted 46-acre site, providing great capacity for the stretching and developing of body and mind.  That struck me the first time I walked through the gates and up the drive: what a fabulous place to be at school!   Wonderful outdoor facilities for sport and recreation, where life-long passions are sparked, skills honed and friendships forged as challenge and triumph are faced together.   

The adventures are just as evident in the classroom.  Subject experts help to unlock the potential in every pupil, seeking to instil a love for learning and develop flexible, independent thinkers who have the confidence to push doors or blaze trails, with the skills and character to deal with whatever they encounter.  Results are strong, with about 90% of GCSE results graded 9-6 and at A Level, over 80% of grades are A*-B, providing wide horizons for the students when they leave the School. 

Richard Aldworth sought to serve the community by widening access to education when he founded the School over 360 years ago.  We seek to be true to his vision today through the school-wide Aldworth Programme of service, and through funding bursary places at Blue Coat for young people we can see would both give and gain so much from an all-round education here.   

With our eye on the future, we are excited to have extended the long-established co-education of the Sixth Form into Year 7, and look forward to being fully co-educational in all year groups by 2027 with all the diversity of thought and talent it will bring to this already vibrant environment.   

I regularly hear visitors to Blue Coat remarking how struck they are by the quality and feel of the School – a gem they were delighted to discover in this bucolic corner of Berkshire.  I felt exactly the same when I saw Blue Coat for the first time, and that has only deepened with time.  If you are considering where your son or daughter might thrive, being stretched and encouraged, do get in touch and come to see us for yourselves.  I look forward to meeting you! 

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