Reading Blue Coat

Holme Park Reading RG4 6SU
11-18 Years

Description

Reading Blue Coat School iis an independent day school for boys with a co-educational sixth form for kids aged 11 to 18.

Facilities

  • A new Art department with views over Blue Coat’s pitches and the River Thames, and a Common Room for Middle School pupils, which leads outside to a further area where pupils can socialise and relax. 
  • In September 2013, the Brian Walsh Building opened as the new home for the Psychology and Geology departments, featuring classrooms and laboratories for each department. 
  • More recently, the school opened a new Information Technology Centre, which includes four computer suites and a departmental office, and also houses IT Support and the essential infrastructure for IT around the school. 
  • Meanwhile, the modern Design Technology Centre, comprising of three workshops and a teaching space, have allowed the School to make use of sophisticated technologies such as 3D printers and laser cutters, while building on traditional expertise in woodwork and metalwork.
  • A modern Sports Hall, including a well-provisioned and recently refitted Fitness Suite. Rowing is ever more popular and the school recently opened a new boathouse, which is situated on the school site on a particularly beautiful stretch of the Thames. 

Features

Things to note

  • Main sports are Athletics & Cross Country, Cricket, Football, Girls Hockey & Netball, Rowing and Rugby. All main sports have a highly competitive and extensive fixture list, and compete both at local and national level. Examples of other competitive sports include Badminton, Basketball, Golf, Rugby Sevens, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Touch Rugby.
  • There are more than 45 activities to choose from, including Young Enterprise, Public Speaking, Lego Robotics, Archery, Chess and Creative Writing. 
  • Curriculum In the Lower School, all boys participate in timetabled Drama lessons, led by a specialist Drama teacher and involving games, improvisation, devising, rehearsing and performing.
  • There are many ensembles for pupils to join: a 60-strong choir, Chamber and Treble choirs, Barbershop group, Concert Band, String Ensemble, Saxophone Group, Guitar Ensemble, Swing Band, Wind Band, Piano Trio, Brass Ensemble, Senior Brass Group and many rock and pop groups. 
  • The art of public speaking and debating is a real strength at Blue Coat; they have developed a strong internal structure to foster interest and commitment from the students. 

Extra Curricular

Please check the school website link for details.

Selection Criteria: Selective

Admission Details

11+ Entry for 2023: 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: interview, assessment and a satisfactory school reference.

13+ Entry: Pupils will sit an online assessment which tests verbal, numerical and non-verbal skills, as well as the School’s own papers in English and Mathematics.

Sixth Form Entry: To qualify for the Sixth Form at Blue Coat, they 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. To study Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics at A Level, you should have at least a Grade 7 at GCSE or its equivalent. To study Economics, you should have at least a Grade 7 in Mathematics. All students are required to have passed both English Language and Mathematics at Grade 5 or above.

Fees

Fees per term: £6,305 All year groups.

Fees include provision of text books up to GCSE, exercise books and facilities for games. 

Scholarships

Foundation Scholarships: Foundation Scholarships are bursaries worth up to 100% of school fees. The school offers up to two Foundation Scholarships per year to pupils who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the benefits of a Blue Coat education.

Academic Scholarships: A number of academic scholarships are available at 11+. The award of these scholarships is dependent on overall strong performance in the 11+ Entrance Assessment. There is no additional scholarship examination; all pupils sitting the entrance assessments will be considered for academic scholarships based on their performance in these assessments. The value of each award will not exceed 5% of the tuition fee. All pupils who achieve eight grades of 8/9 at GCSE are considered for the title of Academic Scholar in the Sixth Form. 

Art Scholarships: Art scholarships are available at 16+ only and carry a maximum reduction of 5% of the fees. 

Music Scholarships: Music scholarships are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+ and carry a maximum reduction of 5% of the fees. Candidates will need to fulfil the normal entry requirements of the School and will need to attend an audition with the Director of Music.

Drama Scholarships: Drama scholarships are available at 16+ only and carry a maximum reduction of 5% of the fees. Drama scholarships may be awarded in both Acting and/or Technical Theatre. Candidates will need to fulfil the normal entry requirements of the School and will need to attend an additional audition/interview with the Director of Drama.

Athlete Development Programme: The Athlete Development Programme (ADP) has been running at Reading Blue Coat over the last two years, to help support pupils that perform at a high level in sport. The ADP offers weekly strength and conditioning sessions with our UK Strength and Conditioning Association accredited coach to help reduce injury risk and maximise sports performance.

Achievements

Please check the school website link for details.

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