The Blue Coat School 11+ Guide

About The Blue Coat School

The Blue Coat School is a selective secondary school in Liverpool. For children to get into The Blue Coat School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, The Blue Coat School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

The Blue Coat School is a distinguished grammar school situated in the heart of Liverpool, England. With a rich history spanning several centuries, this educational institution has consistently upheld its commitment to nurturing ambitious and well-rounded students, embodying the school's motto, "Not for oneself, but for all." Blue Coat takes pride in its outstanding academic performance, solidifying its position as one of the top-performing schools in the region.

At the core of Blue Coat's educational philosophy lies a meticulously crafted curriculum, designed to foster independent and adaptable thinkers who are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world. The comprehensive academic program encompasses a wide array of subjects, including mathematics, sciences, social studies, and humanities, empowering students to develop a diverse skill set that will serve them well in their future endeavors. By providing a solid foundation across various disciplines, Blue Coat enables its students to make informed decisions about their academic and professional paths.

Beyond the classroom, Blue Coat offers an extensive range of extracurricular activities, catering to the diverse interests and talents of its student body. From artistic pursuits to STEM-related opportunities, the school provides a platform for students to explore their passions, develop new skills, and forge meaningful connections with their peers. These enriching experiences contribute to the holistic development of Blue Coat students, nurturing their creativity, teamwork, and leadership abilities.

Central to Blue Coat's ethos are the values of inclusion, tolerance, and equality. The school fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where respect for individual differences is paramount. Through dedicated pastoral efforts, Blue Coat cultivates a culture of openness and understanding, encouraging students and staff alike to actively challenge any actions or behaviors that undermine these core values. By instilling a strong sense of social responsibility, Blue Coat aims to shape compassionate and principled individuals who will make a positive impact on their communities and the world at large.

At The Blue Coat School, tradition and innovation seamlessly intertwine, creating a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the future. The school's commitment to academic excellence, coupled with its emphasis on personal growth and character development, molds intellectually curious, resourceful, and resilient young individuals who are ready to embrace the rigors of higher education and beyond. With its illustrious history and unwavering dedication to student success, The Blue Coat School continues to set the standard for exceptional education in Liverpool and beyond.

School Information

Below you will find further information about The Blue Coat School together with their admissions contact details.

The Blue Coat School is a mixed (i.e. both girls and boys) school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,246 pupils attend The Blue Coat School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Scilla Yates.

The Blue Coat School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at The Blue Coat School for the 2022-23 academic year.

The Blue Coat School 11+ Information

In order to get into The Blue Coat School, children need to pass the The Blue Coat School 11+. This 11+ test is written internally for exclusive use by the school (rather than by an external company like GL Assessment, CSSE or CEM).

The Blue Coat School 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as The Blue Coat School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

The Blue Coat School 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the The Blue Coat School 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at The Blue Coat School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

The Blue Coat School 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the The Blue Coat School 11+ tests (to get into The Blue Coat School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with The Blue Coat School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

The Blue Coat School was last inspected by Ofsted on 08/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 18/12/2022, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

The Blue Coat School was inspected by Ofsted on 8 November 2022 and received an overall rating of Good. The school demonstrated a Good quality of education, Outstanding behaviour and attitudes, Good personal development, Good leadership and management, and Good sixth form provision.

The inspection highlighted the school's strengths in providing a well-rounded education to its students. The Outstanding rating in behaviour and attitudes reflects the school's success in fostering a positive learning environment and promoting high standards of conduct among its pupils.

The Blue Coat School's leadership and management team, as well as its sixth form provision, were also recognized as Good, indicating that the school is well-equipped to continue delivering a high-quality education to its students in the future.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for The Blue Coat School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, The Blue Coat School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use our 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.

None available.