The Headmaster and Governors are delighted to announce that Alexandra West has been appointed as Bursar and Clerk to the Governors of Reading Blue Coat. Ali will be joining the team in early April 2024.

Alexandra is currently the Bursar of Magdalen College School, Oxford. Prior to this she was the Deputy Bursar here at Blue Coat before her appointment as Bursar at MCS in 2020. Previously, Alexandra served as an Intelligence Officer in the British Army and also worked as an equity research analyst in the City. Alexandra brings to Blue Coat tremendous financial acumen, wisdom, humour and a track record of moulding teams to successfully tackle all situations.

Alexandra earned a first-class degree in Music from New College, Oxford University as well as gaining a Full Blue (rowing). Married to Neal and with two children, Alexandra is a keen cyclist, rower and skier.

Headmaster, Pete Thomas said: “The position of Bursar is an appointment made jointly by the Governors and the School. Having advertised widely and received an excellent response of 25 applications from a variety of backgrounds, Alexandra was the outstanding candidate with the proven and necessary skills, experience and character that this important role requires. Following a series of interviews with the Senior Leadership Team and Governors, it was unanimously agreed that Alexandra was the right appointment and we are thrilled to be welcoming her back to Blue Coat.”

Alexandra West said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to the role of Bursar at Blue Coat at this exciting point in the School’s history. I am looking forward to working with Pete, the Governors and all the staff, as the School transitions to being fully co-educational and we work to ensure Blue Coat remains a school in which young people can thrive.  I am also excited to return to the beautiful environment of Holme Park, where I previously spent three very happy years.”