Applying to Reading Blue Coat

Choosing a school for your child can seem like a daunting task, especially as many schools have different entry requirements and timings for their admissions rounds. We hope that these pages will explain the admissions procedures for entry to Reading Blue Coat at the key entry points of 11+ and Sixth Form. If you need further information, we are always happy to discuss any aspects of your child’s application to Reading Blue Coat either by telephone or email.

Our contact details are as follows:

Mrs Aviva Harwood, Admissions & Marketing Officer

Mrs Ali Roberts, Admissions Officer

Mrs Vikki Pollard, Admissions Administrator

0118 933 5806; admissions@rbcs.org.uk

Entry Points

11+ Entry for 2024

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.

During mid October, pupils registered for entry will be invited via email to attend an assessment day later in the term, which take place Monday to Friday.  On the day they will have an interview with a member of staff, undertake academic assessments and participate in some team building activities.

If your child is entitled to examination concessions, such as extra time, use of laptops etc., arrangements may be put in place for some of the assessments, provided we receive appropriate evidence from an educational psychologist and the school reference confirms this to be the normal way of working. All evidence must be submitted by Monday 6 November 2023.

School Reference

Blue Coat will contact prep and primary school heads for school references during the autumn term of Year 6.

Frequently Asked Questions – Co-Education from Year 7

Admission Timetable for September 2024 entry:

September 2023 Admissions round open
November – December 2023 Assessment days for all registered pupils
October – December 2023 References obtained from prep and primary schools
Monday 6 November 2023 (Noon) Closing date to submit supporting SEND evidence
Friday 1 December 2023 (noon) Closing date for bursary applications
Friday 1 December 2023 Closing date for 11+ applications
(we recommend earlier application)
Friday 5 January 2024 Closing date for Music Scholarship applications
Thursday 11 January 2024 Closing date for Dance Scholarship applications
Thursday 11 January 2024 Closing date for Drama Scholarship applications
Wednesday 17 January 2024 Music Scholarship auditions (session 1)
Thursday 18 January 2024 Dance Scholarship auditions
Thursday 18 January 2024 Drama Scholarship auditions
Monday 22 January 2024 Music Scholarship auditions (session 2)
Week commencing Monday 5 February 2024 Offers of places sent to parents
Tuesday 27 February 2024 Post offer event 
Monday 4 March 2024 Final date to accept offers
Monday 11 March 2024 onwards Waiting list offers made, subject to availability

 

13+ Entry

Please be aware that as a predominantly 11+ entry school, the number of places in Year 9 is limited. Furthermore, with the introduction of girls into Year 7 from September 2023, we expect the number of places available in Year 9 from 2025 and beyond to be further reduced.

Registration for pupils’ entry into Year 9 begins in the Summer term of their Year 6. Registered pupils are then invited to attend an assessment day in the Autumn term of Year 7, during which they will have an interview with a member of staff, undertake academic assessments and participate in some team-building activities.

Pupils will sit online assessments which test verbal and non-verbal skills, as well as English and Mathematics.

If your child is entitled to examination concessions, such as extra time, use of laptops etc. arrangements can be put in place for some of the assessments provided we receive appropriate evidence from an educational psychologist and the school reference confirms this to be the normal way of working. All evidence must be submitted by Wednesday 1 November 2023.

School Reference

Blue Coat will contact prep school heads for school references during the autumn term of Year 7.

Entry for 2024 

Registration is now closed for 2024 and we are unable to accept further applications.

Entry for 2025 

Registration for 2025 entry is now open.

Entry for 2026 and beyond 

Registration for Year 9 2026 will open in the Summer term of 2024. Please note we expect the number of places to be available will be very small.

Admission Timetable for September 2025 entry:

September 2023 Admissions round begins
September – October 2023 References obtained from Prep schools
Wednesday 1 November 2023 Closing date to submit supporting SEND evidence
Wednesday 1 November 2023  Closing date for applications
Friday 10 November 2023  13+ Assessment day for all registered pupils
Week beginning Monday 4 December 2023 Offers of places sent to parents
Friday 5 January 2024 Closing date for Music Scholarship applications
Thursday 11 January 2024 Closing date for Dance Scholarship applications
Thursday 11 January 2024 Closing date for Drama Scholarship applications
Friday 12 January 2024 Closing date for Art Scholarship applications
Wednesday 17 January 2024 Music Scholarship auditions (session 1)
Thursday 18 January 2024 Dance Scholarship auditions
Thursday 18 January 2024 Drama Scholarship auditions
Friday 19 January 2024 Art Scholarship auditions
Monday 22 January 2024 Music Scholarship auditions (session 2)
Friday 26 January 2024 Final date to accept offers
March 2024 onwards Late applications considered subject to availability
Friday 1 December 2024  Closing Date for bursary applications for 2025 entry

Sixth Form Entry

Blue Coat welcomes applications from students from both state and independent schools. All prospective students are required to submit a formal letter of application at the time of registration.  (The letter of application should be emailed to the Admissions Office: admissions@rbcs.org.uk ). We recommend students include reasons for their application, their initial A level subject choices and details of their co-curricular interests. The application letter forms the basis for discussion at interview.  Interviews take place in October and November of the year prior to entry, i.e. early in Year 11.

Blue Coat’s Sixth Form consists of approximately 300 students, of whom at least one third are girls.

The curriculum is widespread, with 28 subjects on offer, as well as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), designed specifically to develop the students’ skills and interests in preparation for either university or the work place.

All Blue Coat students are encouraged to become involved in the many co-curricular activities on offer in order to broaden their experience and enjoyment of school life.

Offers of places are made in early December.

Late applicants may be considered subject to availability of places.

School Reference
Blue Coat will contact the student’s current school for a reference during the autumn term of Year 11.

Entry requirements

To qualify for the Sixth Form at Blue Coat, we 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. In addition, all students are required to have passed both English Language and Mathematics at grade 5 or above.

Students should be aware that there are minimum grade requirements for certain A Level courses. More details of exact course requirements will be found within the Sixth Form information booklet.

Admission Timetable for September 2024 entry*

September 2023 Admissions round open
Wednesday 8 November 2023 Closing date for Music Scholarship applications
Friday 17 November 2023 Closing date for applications 
Week beginning 4 December 2023 Offers of places sent to parents**
Friday 1 December 2023 (noon) Closing date for Bursary applications
Monday 8 January 2024 Closing date for Academic Scholars applications
Thursday 11 January 2024 Closing date for Dance Scholarship applications
Thursday 11 January 2024 Closing date for Drama Scholarship applications
Friday 12 January 2024 Closing date for Art Scholarship applications
Friday 12 January 2024 Closing date for Sport Scholarship applications
Saturday 13 January 2024 Academic Scholars Assessment 
Wednesday 17 January 2024 Music Scholarship auditions (session 1)
Thursday 18 January 2024 Dance Scholarship auditions
Thursday 18 January 2024 Drama Scholarship auditions
Friday 19 January 2024 Art Scholarship auditions
Friday 19 January 2024 Sport Scholarship trials
Monday 22 January 2024 Music Scholarship auditions (session 2)
Monday 22 January 2024 Final date to accept offers (except for Bursary and Scholarship applicants)
Wednesday 24 January 2024 Sixth Form Options Evening for external applicants
January 2024 onwards Late applications considered subject to availability

* External candidates only
** Conditional offers subject to GCSE results

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