The Blue Coat CofE School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Category 1 – Anglican CLA/CPLA/Internationally Adopted — 4.1.1 Children of the Anglican faith who are Children Looked After, Children Previously Looked After (in Public Care) or Internationally Adopted Children Previously Looked After
2. 2Category 1 – Active Anglican members (up to 183 places) — 4.1.2 Children whose parent/legal guardian provides evidence that the child and one parent/legal guardian are active members of the Anglican faith. Active Membership of the Anglican faith is evidenced by: (a) the attendance at public worship of the child and one parent/legal guardian. (b) baptism of the child, or a service of dedication. If there are more applicants in 4.1.2 than places available, priority will be given to those children who, with their parent/legal guardian, show the greatest commitment as evidenced by their attendance at weekly public worship in an Anglican Church over a period of up to 5 years. This is measured by allocating 1 point for each weekly attendance (Sunday to Saturday) by the parent/legal guardian and child, up to a maximum of 39 per year (to 31 August each year). In addition, 5 points will be allocated for the baptism of the child into the Church of England, or a service of dedication, before 31 August 2026. The minimum points score for eligibility under 4.1.1 is 5. The minimum points score for eligibility under 4.1.2 is 15.
3. 3Category 2 – Non-Anglican CLA/CPLA/Internationally Adopted — 4.2.1 Children not of the Anglican faith who are Children Looked After, Children Previously Looked After (in Public Care) or Internationally Adopted Children Previously Looked After
4. 4Category 2 – Active members of other Christian churches (up to 30 places) — 4.2.2 Up to 30 places to applicants who are active members of other Christian churches. Active membership of these churches is evidenced by: (a) the attendance at public worship of the child and one parent/legal guardian. (b) baptism of the child or the denomination's equivalent of making a commitment (e.g. a service of dedication or Salvationist 'wrapping in the flag'). If there are more applicants in 4.2.2 than places available, priority will be given to those children who, with one parent/legal guardian, show the greatest commitment as evidenced by their attendance at weekly public worship within their church over a period of up to 5 years. This is measured by allocating 1 point for each weekly attendance (Sunday to Saturday) by one parent/legal guardian and child, up to a maximum of 39 per year (to 31 August each year). In addition, 5 points will be allocated for the baptism of the child or a service of dedication into the denomination (or the denomination's equivalent of making a commitment) before the 31 August 2026. There is no minimum points score required for eligibility under Category 4.2.1. The minimum points score for eligibility under Category 4.2.2 is 15.
5. 5Category 2 – Members of another Major World Faith (up to 30 places) — 4.2.3 Up to 30 places to applicants who are members of another Major World Faith that is a member of the Interfaith Network. As patterns of worship vary between faiths, commitment is evidenced by the attestation of the leader of worship. If there are more applicants than places available, allocation of places in this category will be first to children of staff employed at The Blue Coat School and then by random allocation.
6. 6Category 2 – Any Other Children — 4.2.4 Any Other Children. If places remain in Category 2 after the admission of children under Categories 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3, the remaining places will be allocated to any other children seeking places at the school. If there are more applicants than places, allocation will be first to children of staff employed at The Blue Coat School and then by random allocation.

If two applications tie: For Categories 4.1.2 and 4.2.2 where children achieve the same points: (a) children of staff employed at The Blue Coat School (with staff children who have a sibling attending the school as of 1 September 2027 admitted first; further tie-break by straight-line geographical proximity between home postcode and school postcode; final tie-break by random allocation); (b) non-staff children who have a sibling attending the school as of 1 September 2027 (further tie-break by straight-line geographical proximity); (c) geographical proximity using a straight-line measurement between the home postcode and the school postcode; (d) random allocation. For Categories 4.2.3 and 4.2.4: first to children of staff employed at The Blue Coat School and then by random allocation.

Category 1 is up to 183 places for Anglican applicants; Category 2 is up to 60 places split between other Christians (up to 30), other Major World Faiths in the Interfaith Network (up to 30), and any other children. These numbers are adjusted based on EHCP admissions and unfilled places per Notes 1–4. The school welcomes applications from all faiths and none and has no catchment area.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.