The Blue Coat School 11+

How to get into The Blue Coat School

The Blue Coat School is a selective secondary school in Liverpool. To get into The Blue Coat School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into The Blue Coat School with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). The Blue Coat School admits students through a selective entrance test process and has 180 places available annually ^[1].

The school does not have a catchment area, meaning children from any location can apply. The application window for September 2026 admissions opened in late April 2025 and closed on Monday 2nd June 2025 (see key dates).

• Children must be in Year 5 when families apply for the entrance test
• Families complete applications through The Blue Coat School's own application systemand the local authority Common Application Form
• The school operates a two-phase testing system using The Blue Coat School 11+
• Up to 27 places are reserved for highest scoring children eligible for free school meals
• Priority given to looked after children, previously looked after children, or those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC)

Application Process

Families must register children during the application window between Thursday 24th April 2025 and Monday 2nd June 2025 (see key dates). Parents book a Phase 1 test slot at submission time, with only one booking permitted per child.

Families must also name The Blue Coat School on their local authority's secondary school Common Application Form, available from early September and due by 31st October 2025 (see key dates). Contact details for specific application guidance are available in the school information section.

• Complete The Blue Coat School's entrance test application during the specified window in late spring
• Book Phase 1 examination slot when submitting the application
• Submit the local authority Common Application Form by the October deadline
• Provide any required documentation for special educational needs accommodations if needed
• Await Phase 1 results in August and potential invitation to Phase 2
• Attend Phase 2 examination in September if shortlisted
• Receive final admission decision in early March the following year

The Blue Coat School 11+ Examination

The school operates a two-stage admissions process with Phase 1 and Phase 2 examinations. Phase 1 testing takes place in June and July of Year 5, with outcomes provided before the local authority deadline (see key dates).

Phase 1 uses Primary Insight (formerly InCAS) testing produced by the Centre for Evaluation & Monitoring (CEM). This online adaptive test takes around 1 hour 40 minutes and consists of five modules, each 20 minutes long. Both phases require candidates to use a computer, keyboard and mouse.

• Phase 1 subjects:Reading comprehension, Mathematics, Vocabulary, Perceptual speed, and Non-verbal reasoning
• Phase 2 subjects: Verbal reasoning, Numerical reasoning, and Non-verbal reasoning using Cambridge Select Insight
• Approximately 400 candidates are invited to Phase 2 based on Phase 1 performance
• Phase 2 takes place on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates)
• Results are provided a few weeks after Phase 2
• Final admission decisions are communicated in early March (see key dates)

Preparation Guidance

Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11. Revising Year 5 mathematics and English work provides a strong foundation for the entrance exam. Families can access practice materials through 11+ practice resources.

Familiarity with test format, timings, modules and question types is crucial for success and removes fear of the unknown. Using a 'little and often' approach when learning helps brains encode new information more effectively. Professional tutoring support is available through qualified 11+ tutors.

• Begin preparation at least 12 months before the Phase 1 examination
• Focus on Year 5 curriculum mathematics and English as the foundation
• Practice with CEM-style tests to familiarise children with the adaptive format
• Use Cambridge Select Insight practice tests for Phase 2 preparation
• Schedule regular 20-30 minute study sessions rather than longer cramming sessions
• Ensure children are comfortable using computers, keyboards and mice for online testing
• Consider attending school open events to understand the school environment

Practical Advice

The school's Open Day is held towards the end of June in Year 5, with three sessions available for booking from early June (see key dates). Families cannot gain entry without pre-booking. Sessions include talks from the headteacher and school tours.

The school admissions authority decides on an eligible score after Phase 2 testing, and children who meet this score can then apply for places. Meeting the required standard in Phase 2 makes children eligible for a school place. For specific queries, families should consult the school information section.

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.

Key Dates for the The Blue Coat School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 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.

11+ Tutor for The Blue Coat School

As the The Blue Coat School 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the The Blue Coat School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the The Blue Coat School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for The Blue Coat School

Unfortunately, The Blue Coat School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

11+ Practice Papers for The Blue Coat School

Unfortunately, there are no targeted 11+ practice papers for The Blue Coat School available. However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

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:

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 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.

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)