Reading Blue Coat School, Berkshire
Reading Blue Coat School is an independent school for pupils aged 11 to 19 in Berkshire. It has a Church of England religious character. It is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted; its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in February 2024.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Reading Blue Coat School in detail
Reading Blue Coat School in its own words
In its own words: "At Reading Blue Coat, our purpose and values shape every aspect of school life, guiding how we learn, grow and interact as a community. In all that we do - whether learning, working, or playing - our values are not only encouraged but expected."
From the headteacher's welcome: "Founded in 1646, Reading Blue Coat is a school rich in heritage, yet firmly focused on the future. Underpinned by our values of aspiration, compassion, courage, integrity and service, we aim for excellence in all that we do, for everyone. We want our whole community to thrive: engaged in purpose, and kind in approach."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include Lego, robotics and debating.
Coming up: an open day on Thursday 12 November 2026, an open day on Tuesday 17 November 2026, an open day on Thursday 19 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 24 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Wokingham
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Reading Blue Coat School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to Reading Blue Coat School are Red Balloon Learner Centre Reading (2.1 miles); Trinity Christian School (2.1 miles); Shiplake College (2.2 miles, selective); and St Joseph's College (2.2 miles, selective).
Red Balloon Learner Centre ReadingTrinity Christian SchoolShiplake CollegeSt Joseph's College
Where pupils go next
Of the 125 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 77% went on to university or other higher education, 2% to apprenticeships and 9% into work.
Who goes there
In 2026, 102 pupils (12%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Earley Rail Station, about 2.1 miles away in a straight line.
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bluecoat School (adjacent), 310 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Reading Blue Coat School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 17 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wokingham (70).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASISI Inspection Reports
Independent schools in England are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted.
Routine Inspection
20 February 2024
Short Visit
9 November 2022
Short Visit
21 October 2021
Educational Quality / Focused Compliance
12 November 2019
Regulatory Compliance
8 February 2017
Standard
1 January 2011
About
Reading Blue Coat School is a co-educational private day school in Holme Park, Sonning, Berkshire. It is situated beside the River Thames, and was established in 1646 by Richard Aldworth, who named it "Aldworth's Hospital".
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Fees for 2026/27
Day fees, per year
£26,100
about £8,700 a term
Including VAT. From the school's own fee schedule; check with the school before you rely on it.
Private school fees in Berkshire - 9 schools' published fees side by side
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from Reading Blue Coat School
One Year of Progress on Reading Blue Coat’s New Performing Arts Centre
11 Sep 2026
Reading Blue Coat Students Celebrate Outstanding GCSE Success
20 Aug 2026
Reading Blue Coat Celebrates Outstanding A Level Results
13 Aug 2026
Celebrating a Year of Achievement in the Performing Arts at Blue Coat
25 Jun 2026
Reading Blue Coat Cadets Complete Final Field Training Exercise
26 May 2026
A memorable season for Blue Coat football
12 May 2026
From Reading Blue Coat School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with Reading Blue Coat School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Wokingham is 7 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
92%
Near capacity
850 pupils
920 places
70 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Berkshire
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Berkshire
Across Wokingham council
Places available
2,293
Applications
2,318
Got 1st preference
82.4%
Got preferred school
97.9%
All secondary applications across Wokingham council (2026/27), not just this school.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
102
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
12.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
850
Total Pupils
657
Boys
193
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Reading Blue Coat School
Showing 10 of 14 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Reading Blue Coat School
What are GCSE results like at Reading Blue Coat School?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for Reading Blue Coat School can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
When was Reading Blue Coat School last inspected?
Reading Blue Coat School is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted. Its most recent ISI inspection was a routine inspection in February 2024.
How many pupils go to Reading Blue Coat School?
Reading Blue Coat School has around 850 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Reading Blue Coat School?
Reading Blue Coat School is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Reading Blue Coat School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Wokingham is 7 (the median across 85 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Reading Blue Coat School?
Reading Blue Coat School is at Holme Park, Sonning Lane, Berkshire, Berkshire, RG4 6SU.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)