Reading Blue Coat School is a leading independent co-educational day school for students from ages 11 to 18. As at September 2024, the School has circa 820 students and is now into our second year of full co-education from Year 7 upwards - our Sixth Form has been full co-educational for over 40 years; all year groups will be co-educational by September 2027.

The School was founded in 1646 by Richard Aldworth, a Master of The Skinners’ Company, and a Governor of Christ’s Hospital.  The School was established near St Mary’s Minster Church in Reading and was originally known by its historic name of Aldworth’s Hospital. In 1947, Reading Blue Coat moved to the magnificent estate of Holme Park in the Berkshire village of Sonning, where it remains today. 

The ethos of the School derives from its Christian foundation and traditions, fostering care and concern within the community and enabling all students to develop their full potential. The School aims to provide a stimulating and friendly atmosphere in which each student can realise his or her full intellectual, physical, and creative potential. Students are encouraged to be self-reliant and adaptable, and the School intends that they will learn the basis of good citizenship, founded on honesty, fairness and understanding of the needs of others. The curriculum provides a balanced blend of academic and co-curricular activities that combine to meet these objectives. 

The School employs more than 200 salaried staff, of whom about 50% are teaching staff. Reflecting the move to full co-education, nearly half of our teaching staff are female.