From September 2023, Reading Blue Coat will be extending its co-educational provision to welcome girls into Year 7!
If you have a daughter in Year 5 and would like more information, get in touch with our Admissions team at admissions@rbcs.org.uk.
School HistoryCommunity
Our History
Reading Blue Coat was founded in 1646 by Richard Aldworth, a merchant of The Skinners’ Company and a Governor of Christ’s Hospital. The School was established near St Mary’s Minster Church in Reading and was known by its original historic name of Aldworth’s Hospital, providing ‘Education and bringing upp of twenty poore male children’ and for a ‘Godly and learned man to be Schoolmaster’. The original uniform was a ‘Blue Coate and Cappe’ (senior prefects wear the ancient dress of long blue coat and yellow stockings on special occasions).
1646
Reading Blue Coat was founded in 1646 by Richard Aldworth
1660
First school site next to Silver Street and London Street – in the building that was a former inn, The Talbot.
1852
Purchase of Brunswick House, 42 Bath Road, as new school site.
1875
Headmaster John Harris
1864
Entrance exams introduced and science and art added to the curriculum and exercise drill added to the timetable.
1892
First day boys admitted – with preference given to ‘orphans’.
1900s
Blue Coat boys
1902
French added to the curriculum and a new carpentry workshop set up.
1905
Old Blues’ Association set up.
1910
To celebrate 250th anniversary, an extra dormitory added to boarding house.
1910
Compulsory games introduced on Wednesdays.
1912
Library introduced.
1914-1918 WWI
Boys ‘grew their own’. Boys sang in hospitals to boost morale. Clogs worn to save leather.
1919
Fees introduced to cover costs of textbooks and heating.
1922
Scarlet fever and diphtheria outbreaks close school temporarily.
1928
90 boys and four teachers.
1929
First Aldworthian school magazine produced.
1939-1945 WWII
Blackout implemented and cellars transformed into makeshift air-raid shelter. Boys ‘did their bit’ – farm work, working at Huntley and Palmers biscuit factory.
1945
Old Blues Cricket Team
1947
In January, the School moved to the magnificent estate of Holme Park in the Berkshire village of Sonning-on-Thames where it remains today. 150 boys.
1955
Opening of new Dunster Building – new teaching block.
1958
Swimming pool opened.
1959
School recognised officially.
1960
New boat house opened.
1961
14 boys joined the new Sixth Form.
1966
Cadet Corps formed.
1969
More day boys than boarders. Saturday lessons ended.
1970
September: First girl pupil, Kathy Bodley Scott, admitted.
1987
Sixth Form becomes fully co-educational.
1990
500 pupils
1992
Blue Coat’s admission to the Headmaster’s Conference.
1999
600 pupils
2001
Boarding house closed.
2012
Richard Aldworth Building opened by then Home Secretary Theresa May MP – replacing Dunster Building.
700 pupils.
2013
Opening of Brian Walsh Building
2013
A history of the school, “Truth Conquers All,” by Blue Coat archivist Mr Peter van Went, was published in July 2013.
2017
750 pupils. New Design Technology building completed.
2019
Reading Blue Coat unveils its new crest.
2020
Mr Pete Thomas appointed Headmaster.
2021
First announcement that Blue Coat will welcome girls into Year 7 in 2023.
