Reading Blue Coat 11 Plus Guide
It might be difficult to find your way around the 11 Plus the first time as a parent. How do you aid your kid in getting ready for the Reading Blue Coat 11 Plus Exam? What kind of exam structure is it? What stores sell test papers? We’ve provided parents with a “Reading Blue Coat 11 Plus Tips” in this article that seeks to address all of your concerns.
Page Contents
Reading Blue Coat School
Sonning Ln, Sonning, Reading RG4 6SU
Reading Blue Coat School is a co-educational independent day school with sixth form for boys aged 11 to 18. The School is located in Holme Park, Sonning, Berkshire. It is situated beside the River Thames, and was established in 1646 by Richard Aldworth. The School now educates around 800 pupils with 251 sixth formers. The current headmaster is Peter Thomas. In 2022 GCSEs, 58.4% grades 9-8, 79.3% grades 9-7. In 2022 A Levels, 24.8% grades A*, 57.2% grades A*-A, 80.8% grades A*-B.
Reading Blue Coat 11 Plus Exam Information 2023
Admissions info: Email here
School type: Independent day school for boys
Number of students: 750
Open day: October, May
11+ Exam date: November-December of Year 6
11+ Exam type / Board: Online test and Reading Blue Coat’s own
Fees: £6,305 per term
Reading Blue Coat School Admissions Guide for 11+ Entry
There are admission exams and an interview for Year 7 applicants. Blue Coat will also examine the calibre of the recommendations from your child’s present school. Senior staff interviews happen on a typical school day with parents present. The admission exams include written essays and a two-part online evaluation that evaluates a wide variety of skills. Placement offers will be given out in February, and a deadline for accepting them will be set in March. £1,250 is the acceptance deposit.
2023 Reading Blue Coat School 11 Plus Exam Format
The tests that are included in the Reading Blue Coat School 11+ entrance examination are English, Maths and Online Exam. Spelling, grammar, and inference are among the comprehension and writing abilities that are stressed in the English paper.There will be questions on the maths test about numbers, measurements, geometry, algebra, and statistics.
The online test has 2 parts. Part 1 has English, Verbal Reasoning, Maths and non-verbal reasoning. The English exam consists of multiple-choice questions, reading comprehension, grammar, and punctuation abilities are tested. Key mathematical abilities like arithmetic and problem-solving are tested in the maths part. Diagrams and charts will be used in certain questions. The vocabulary and comprehension of meaning in context are the main topics of the Verbal Reasoning part. The Non-Verbal Reasoning section assesses thought using forms, space, diagrams, and drawings and measures intellect rather than learned information. Part 2 consists of puzzles and problem-solving. This area will have a number of interactive pictures and puzzles, each of which will have a question that your youngster must type an answer to into a box. The format of the online test, which consists of Parts 1 and 2, is similar to that of the 11+ London Consortium test, which evaluates the same subject areas.
2023 Reading Blue Coat School 11 Plus Admissions Timeline
| September 2022 | Admission round open |
| November – December 2022 | Assessment Days for all registered pupils |
| October – December 2022 | References obtained from Prep and Primary schools |
| Monday 7 November 2022 (Noon) | Closing date to submit supporting SEN evidence |
| Thursday 1 December 2022 (noon) | Closing date for Bursary applications |
| Thursday 1 December 2022 | Closing date for 11+ applications(we recommend earlier application) |
| Tuesday 3 January 2023 | Closing date for Music Scholarship applications |
| Tuesday 10 January 2023 | Music Scholarship auditions |
| Week commencing Monday 6 February 2023 | Offers of places sent to parents |
| Thursday 2 March 2023 | Post offer event |
| Wednesday 8 March 2023 | Final date to accept offers |
| Monday 15 March 2023 onwards | Waiting list offers made, subject to availability |
Open Days
During a typical school day, a member of the admissions team leads brief tours around the school. Small groups of no more than six families are allowed on the trips, thus it is advised that parents go alone. The tours begin at 10:30 am and run for around two hours. They end in the headmaster’s office, where parents can ask any general questions they may have.
Mini Tour Dates:
Thursday 24 November 10.30am – 12.30pm (FULL)
Tuesday 29 November 10.30am – 12.30pm (Places Available)
Thursday 1 December 10.30am – 12.30pm (Places Available)
Thursday 8 December 10.30am – 12.30pm (Places Available)
For parents looking for Year 7 entry beyond 2023, mini tours will be available in the Spring term 2023.
Reading Blue Coat School Bursaries and Scholarships
A variety of academic scholarships are available from the school to 11+ students who perform well on the admission exams. They are not worth more than 5% of the fees. 11+ candidates who successfully complete the 11+ admissions procedure and who demonstrate significant talent during an audition are eligible for music scholarships. Foundation Scholarships are financial aid packages that can cover all or part of the cost of tuition and are given to students who would not otherwise be able to enrol in a Blue Coat programme. There are also means-tested bursaries available. For more information, go here.
Beyond the Classroom
No matter the level or sport, competitive sport is crucial to the development of a Blue Coat student’s potential. We try to instil respect, belief, commitment, and sportsmanship in every Team RBCS representative. These qualities are the first focus, whether they are in the U12Es or the School 1st team.
At Blue Coat, the arts are mostly expressed via music, theatre, public speaking, painting, and sculpture. Students’ artistic endeavours are quite successful and well-received, even globally. At all of our performances, discussions, exhibits, and recitals, we appreciate the support of parents and friends.
FAQ
- What proportion of students from public and private schools who are 11 or older enrol in Blue Coat?
45% of the students in our 11+ 2021/22 intake came from private schools, 53% from public elementary schools, and 2% from international institutions.
- How many applicants do you have?
Typically, we would anticipate 350 applications for every 100 openings.
- What is the threshold score needed to enter the 11+ programme?
There is no set passing score. Although we do need to be certain that each student will be able to handle the speed of the academic programme at Blue Coat, each applicant is evaluated on his or her own merits.
You can also access further 11 plus exam resources below:
A Guide to Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Tests
11 plus Exam: Parental Guide For Grammar School Entry
11+ Maths Exam: Helping Your Child to Prepare and Pass in 2022
Meet the 11+ Online Tutors Delivering Results
When Should you Start to Prepare Your Child for the 11 Plus Exam