About Reading Blue Coat School
Reading Blue Coat School is a co-educational independent day school in Holme Park, Sonning, Berkshire, on the banks of the River Thames, founded in 1646 by Richard Aldworth. It educates around 850 pupils aged 11–18. Co-educational in the sixth form for over 40 years, it has admitted girls and boys to Year 7 since 2023 and is fully co-educational across all year groups from September 2027. As an independent school it charges fees — around £6,655 a term (about £19,965 a year; confirm the current figure).
Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own online entrance test — sections in English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — followed by an interview with senior staff and a reference from the current school.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Reading Blue Coat School
Reading Blue Coat School Admissions Criteria
Reading Blue Coat School is a co-educational independent day school in Berkshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Reading Blue Coat School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Reading Blue Coat School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit Reading Blue Coat School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about his interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether him child has been offered a place at Reading Blue Coat School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Reading Blue Coat School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Reading Blue Coat School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Reading Blue Coat School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Reading Blue Coat School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Reading Blue Coat School
Step 1 — Attend a School Tour at Reading Blue Coat (must be booked in advance
Attend a School Tour at Reading Blue Coat (must be booked in advance — tours are conducted by the Director of Admissions or Admissions Manager and last around 2 hours, hosting maximum 6 families)
Step 2 — Submit the online Registration Form for Year 7 entry
Submit the online Registration Form for Year 7 entry — the admissions round begins in September of Year 6
Step 3 — The school requests a satisfactory reference from your
The school requests a satisfactory reference from your child's current school
Step 4 — Your child attends an interview
Your child attends an interview with a senior staff member at Reading Blue Coat — parents attend with the candidate on a regular school day
Step 5 — Your child sits the online entrance assessment
Your child sits the online entrance assessment (delivered via Quest Assessments) — a two-part test covering English (Reading Comprehension, grammar, punctuation), Mathematics (arithmetic, problem solving), Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning
Step 6 — Offers are made in February following review of interview
Offers are made in February following review of interview, assessment results and school reference
Step 7 — The deadline for accepting a place is in March
The deadline for accepting a place is in March
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
On acceptance, pay the deposit to secure the place
Subjects Tested at Reading Blue Coat School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Reading Blue Coat School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic Scholarships (up to 5% of fees), Music Scholarships (post-assessment audition), Foundation Scholarships (bursaries up to 100% of fees), means-tested bursaries
Outcome announced: Notified after entrance assessment results
Additional notes: Reading Blue Coat receives around 350 applications for 100–120 Year 7 places. The school welcomed girls into Year 7 in September 2023 and will be fully co-educational by 2027. In 2024-25, 63% of Year 7 joined from independent schools, 34% from state primaries, 3% from overseas.
Academic Performance at Reading Blue Coat School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Reading Blue Coat is a high-performing independent school, with strong results at GCSE and in its long-established co-educational Sixth Form.
- GCSE: a strong record (around 70% of grades at 9–7).
- A-Level: strong results (around 79% at A*–B), with pupils progressing to leading universities.
- Progression: strong progression to a wide range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Reading Blue Coat School
As an independent school, Reading Blue Coat has no catchment area; pupils travel in from Reading, Wokingham, Maidenhead and the surrounding area, with established school bus routes. Places are awarded on the entrance test and interview.
Reading Blue Coat offers Foundation Scholarships worth up to full fees plus means-tested bursaries; check the school's admissions pages for details and deadlines.
Independent Practice Papers for Reading Blue Coat School
Reading Blue Coat School uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Reading Blue Coat School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1646 by Richard Aldworth and based since 1947 at Holme Park, a 46-acre estate beside the River Thames at Sonning, Reading Blue Coat is an HMC independent day school (ages 11–18) with a Christian foundation and a caring, inclusive ethos. Historically a boys’ school with a co-educational Sixth Form of more than forty years, it began admitting girls into Year 7 in 2023 and is moving to full co-education across all year groups by September 2027.
Its co-curricular programme is extensive — including the Combined Cadet Force, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise and strong sport such as rugby and rowing. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Reading Blue Coat School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Reading Blue Coat at 11+?
Register online directly with the school. Your child sits the school's own online entrance test, followed by an interview with senior staff and a school reference.
What is on the Reading Blue Coat 11+ test?
An online test in four parts — English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning — plus an interview and a reference from the current school.
Is Reading Blue Coat selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a selective independent day school, so it charges fees (around £6,655 a term, about £19,965 a year; confirm the current figure with the school).
Is Reading Blue Coat co-educational?
Yes — co-educational in the sixth form for over 40 years, it has admitted girls to Year 7 since 2023 and is fully co-educational across all year groups from September 2027.
Does Reading Blue Coat have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits pupils from any area; school buses serve Reading, Wokingham and Maidenhead.
When is the entrance test?
In the autumn/winter of Year 6 for September 2027 entry; check the school site for the exact date and registration window.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — Foundation Scholarships worth up to 100% of fees plus means-tested bursaries.
What does the test cover?
English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, all online and multiple-choice.
How can my child prepare?
Build confident Year 5/6 English and maths and practise timed verbal and non-verbal reasoning. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.