Welcome to The Liverpool Blue Coat School

by Headteacher Debbie Silcock

The Blue Coat School is unique. For over 300 years it has played a crucial role in shaping the lives of Liverpool boys and girls - teaching them academic and practical skills to prepare them for life’s journey.

From its early days in the 18th century as a refuge for the city’s poor, Blue Coat has blossomed into a school of academic excellence, renowned not only across the city and the North West, but nationally too. We are proud of our status as the only grammar school in Liverpool.

Our results speak for themselves. Our students are top performers. For the last five years, 100% of our GCSE students gained 5 A*-C grades, including English and Maths. For the last two years over 80% of A-level grades were at A*-B.

Blue Coat admits 120 students into Year 7 each year. In addition, the school welcomes external students into the 360-student Sixth Form from many local schools. The school’s popularity means prized places are determined through our admissions policy.

Adapting to change in often challenging times is part of Blue Coat’s success story. Governors working closely with the Senior Leadership Team seek continuous improvement to safeguard the delivery of high quality education.

In 2002 we returned to fully co-educational status, linking us to our founding philosophy. In 2004 the school invested £9m in new buildings as well as refurbishing existing Grade II listed buildings dating from the early 1900s, including the iconic Clock Tower.

In September 2011 the Full Governing Body, supported by its Foundation Trustees, resolved to apply to the Secretary of State for Education for academy status. A broad and open consultation process into the possible conversion is now underway.

We also measure our success by our standing in the community. Our specialist status in science and mathematics, designated in 2007, and the subsequent investment in technology and equipment, has enabled staff and students to work on exciting projects with partners, including four primary schools.

The school, situated three miles outside Liverpool city centre in Wavertree, is also supporting Parklands High School in Speke, south Liverpool, as part of the government’s National Challenge Trust School scheme to transform schools by raising results in English and maths.

Debbie Silcock took up her post as headteacher in September 2008 after five years as First Deputy Head at Blue Coat.