Oldham, Lancashire The Blue Coat School Review

Overall Rating

I attended The Blue Coat School in Oldham from being aged 11 - 18years, as they also have a sixth form. In all honestly, I think Blue Coat is a brilliant school!

I don't know if the rules have changed now, but essentially Blue Coat is a Church of England faith school, so even though there is no entry exam, to qualify for entry you have to have attended church for a certain amount of time (the details of this I don't really know, as I was only 11 at the time and didn't really mind). I think this system is a little out-dated, as I know that after most students get in, they don't attend church again. Obviously there are those who still do, but as a whole. However, there the same system doesn't apply for getting into the sixth form (which I find really strange); you just have to get the required grades, and if you did attend the school, you are more likely to get a place in the sixth form.

However, regardless of this, throughout your time at Blue Coat you will have to attend "Sermon" assemblies.

On gaining a place at the school you will be allocated a house (the school is split up into three houses) - Rountree Wrigley, Lord Mothersill and Birley Hall - I should know what these house names mean, but I don't!

In regards to teaching, I think Blue Coat did very well! They tend to have a lot of younger teachers, which I think helps in building up a rapport and a relationship with pupils. There were obviously a fair share of appalling teachers as well. I think this falls more on the individual teachers part however, rather than the school, as if they take a disliking to you, you're likely to not do as well in the class, but I think that can be said of a lot of schools.
However, one thing that I did find odd, as I attended the school for 7 years; once you enter into sixth form, you are treated with much more respect by the teachers. I found this rather irritating, as to me, I was still the same as I always was. I think teachers attitudes to younger students are very stereotypical.

The school also arranges some brilliant school trips, including day trips to the theatre, and then skiing and activity holidays. They cannot be faulted on these (maybe a little on the price). I went to an organized school trip to Ardeche in France with the school in summer 2004, and it was a very memorable and brilliant experience!

Blue Coat also had a tendency to be overly strict in regards to uniform, even in sixth form. In secondary school you weren't allowed dyed hair, even just highlights, and even sixth form students had to wear smart suits. However, I admittedly quite liked this, and I think the rules on uniform have probably changed since I was there. Also, to note here that if you are going to attend this school in September for the first time, start saving, as buying all the school uniform and specific P.E. kit can be really expensive. I think it was around £90 just for a blazer, and they only stock this uniform in a few shops.

In regards to grades though, again I think Blue Coat is brilliant! I know full well if I would have attended a different high school, my grades would have turned out a lot differently.

Blue Coat also allows you the chance to meet a lot of different people, because people travel from further away to attend this school. I think when you begin the school at 11 years old, this can only be a bonus, as it helps you grow up.

I would equally praise Blue Coat Sixth form, even more so, as I had a brilliant time in sixth form, with a solid focus on hard work and achieving grades, but also an enormous sense of having fun, which I think it crucial from being aged 16 - 18.

I think it's imperative if you're thinking of sending your children here, to give them the choice, and I also think it helps to see what a former pupil has to say.

Ultimately, I will always look back on my memories of Blue Coat with fondness, and I would defiantly like to send my children there one day.