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Original poster

Choosing between Shiplake and Reading Blue coats - can I have your feedback please

39 replies

Roxy_Art · 02/05/2023 13:37

I am choosing between Shiplake and Reading Blue Coats for my girl for the Y7 entry. Could you please provide your feedback/share your thoughts on school if your child goes to any of those schools? My girl loves English, reading, and science and is also sporty (martial arts and horseriding) and artistic (painting). I heard that Shiplake is not very academic, but I really liked the school. Any other suggestions on co-education independent schools around Marlow/Henley/Reading are welcome. Many thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Missingthesnow2 · 02/05/2023 17:59

bump. Also following.

Original poster
Roxy_Art · 03/05/2023 10:00

Missingthesnow2 · 02/05/2023 17:59

bump. Also following.

Thanks!

OP posts:
WayDownInTheHole · 04/05/2023 22:08

Didn't Blue Coat fail an inspection recently for issues with sexist language?

berkshirebanger · 05/05/2023 01:38

I believe both shiplake and RBCS both started to take girls in y7 in sept 2023. Whilst they have established 6th forms I'd worry that girls in the younger years may not have the same opportunities eg in sport etc or b fully established. RBCS is a boys school in my mind. I'd also consider The Oratory (Co-ed since 2020 throughout) and good sport,v good art and good pastoral, or pangbourne?

DPotter · 05/05/2023 03:55

Local co-ed include Leighton Park, St Joseph's, Bradfield & Pangbourne College. They are all long standing co-ed, whereas Shiplake and The Oratory have only just started to take girls. Bluecoats has had girls in VI for sometime. They all have their own cultures and distinctives characteristics

It's a very fair point about being sure how the school will offer enough 'girl focused sports. The Oratory has a good reputation for it's Art dept (or it did a few years back)

Another thing to think about will be if your DD will be day or boarding. It's always a bit tricky as a day pupil in a boarding school as the timetable is set for the boarders.

Something just occurred - check the yr 7 entry for Bradfield, Pangbourne & The Oratory. They have be yr 9 entry only

beanhunter · 12/05/2023 14:57

And the schools adjudicator have said they will not consider my objection as related to thr Council and refers to 2023 entry and that window has closed and that thus is Bucks policy so that avenue seems closed for appeal.

And yes - ruined her life is overstating in buy pretty down right now.

DPotter · 12/05/2023 15:01

@beanhunter

I'm not sure your post is on the right thread

beanhunter · 12/05/2023 15:10

You're quite right! Shall remove. We are however debating shiplake given our lack of state allocation.

allinstar1 · 13/05/2023 11:12

Have you thought about Luckley House in Wokingham.

yermum1503 · 23/06/2023 13:01

It certainly did. My dd has just escaped. Attitude is "boys will be boys". The culture of the school leaves a lot to be desired.

Delatron · 28/06/2023 20:15

Not sure how helpful this is but I have a Yr9 boy at Shiplake who is very happy. It’s a lovely school and there have been lots of applications for the girls spaces in Yr7. I think it’s oversubscribed.

They seem very focused on making sure they have a good sports provision for the girls and I have friends who have 6th form girls there who are very happy.

Friends have girls at Leighton Park which is a bit more quirky/creative. But they speak highly of it.

Whilst Shiplake isn’t seen as being selective academically there are lots of academic children who thrive there. One girl in the 6th Form has just been offered a scholarship to Harvard.

Original poster
Roxy_Art · 28/06/2023 23:31

Delatron · 28/06/2023 20:15

Not sure how helpful this is but I have a Yr9 boy at Shiplake who is very happy. It’s a lovely school and there have been lots of applications for the girls spaces in Yr7. I think it’s oversubscribed.

They seem very focused on making sure they have a good sports provision for the girls and I have friends who have 6th form girls there who are very happy.

Friends have girls at Leighton Park which is a bit more quirky/creative. But they speak highly of it.

Whilst Shiplake isn’t seen as being selective academically there are lots of academic children who thrive there. One girl in the 6th Form has just been offered a scholarship to Harvard.

Thank you. Very useful 😃

OP posts:
Original poster
Roxy_Art · 28/06/2023 23:32

allinstar1 · 13/05/2023 11:12

Have you thought about Luckley House in Wokingham.

Thank you for the Idea. I will take a look 😃

OP posts:
Anonymous1234567880 · 01/07/2023 07:54

I teach in the area and I have never heard anything negative about St Josephs, Leighton Park or Shiplake. Everyone I know that have children there speak very highly of all three. Blue Coat on the other hand...

WhatIfWhatIf · 02/07/2023 21:53

Anonymous1234567880 · 01/07/2023 07:54

I teach in the area and I have never heard anything negative about St Josephs, Leighton Park or Shiplake. Everyone I know that have children there speak very highly of all three. Blue Coat on the other hand...

Hi Anonymous1234567880, can you elaborate at all on Blue Coats? We're interested in the school but are right on the edge of their catchment so don't know a lot about the school and don't really know anyone else who does either. Would be very grateful for info.

JackYou · 31/08/2023 23:40

Usually get a feel for school culture observing behaviours at fixtures. Many oppo schools are a delight to visit and host, some old money ones are genuinely funny and comfortable.

Blue Coat on the other hand were yobs. Awful.

Your mileage may vary!

Original poster
Roxy_Art · 01/09/2023 10:58

JackYou · 31/08/2023 23:40

Usually get a feel for school culture observing behaviours at fixtures. Many oppo schools are a delight to visit and host, some old money ones are genuinely funny and comfortable.

Blue Coat on the other hand were yobs. Awful.

Your mileage may vary!

Thank you for your feedback!
Why do you think the Reading Blue Coats is awful? They have very high academic results...

OP posts:
Delatron · 01/09/2023 17:18

Roxy_Art · 01/09/2023 10:58

Thank you for your feedback!
Why do you think the Reading Blue Coats is awful? They have very high academic results...

Show quote history

I guess you can get good results and have a bad culture there. They are selective so of course they will get good results.

ScandiNoirNuit · 03/09/2023 21:39

Also considering Blue Coats for next year entry, however not sure I would if I had a daughter, not long enough established as co-ed in my opinion..

berkshirebanger · 04/09/2023 06:58

I’m not sure I’d consider for a boy either given the behaviour seen at matches and referenced above towards girls. Why would you want your son in that sort of environment/culture… results aside?

DressDilemma · 04/09/2023 07:41

My son goes to Blue Coat and several families in my friends circle have daughters who go to Blue Coat as well. The school is strong in disciple, academics and sports. My son is thriving and we are quite happy with the school. My friend's daughter just passed her A levels and now her younger one is starting as well from tomorrow.

DressDilemma · 04/09/2023 07:42

*discipline

Dearydear · 17/09/2023 08:05

Funny thing is our experiences tell us very differently from some others here - we have left Shiplake to go to Blue Coat.
Shiplake rugby lad toxic masculinity was appalling - especially the widely noticed homophobic chanting at opposition teams. They do nothing about it.
Blue Coat meanwhile now have a far better culture - it is very welcoming with groups openly celebrating all areas of society & the academics are also taken seriously, hence their much better academic results than other schools in the area.
Our children are very happy there and so glad to leave Shiplake behind. I’m sad to write that, as I thought it would be better but it’s the truth. They have a lot of work to do.
Blue Coat is bigger than others in the area (your preference in that sense, bigger might not be better), has a rapidly changing and much better culture, and is by far the better for academics compared to the rest around the place.

BroganLee · 17/09/2023 09:20

If you want a day school Crosfields now goes to Y11. They have a new HT. I hear locally she's great. We are going to an open morning in a couple of weeks time. Will be interesting to compare with others you have mentioned.
RBCS too boyish not many girls in Y7
Shiplake oversubscribed for girls not sure about the HT a lad's lad! So not surprised someone has noted the culture although recent inspection was excellent unlike RBCS
Oratory too catholic
Leighton Park too quirky
Luckley too small
Marist -also going to see this school. Friends' girls love it. Recently gone co-ed
All these schools also have their good points. I'm trying to get the one that fits best with my dd (Y5) and her interests.

Dearydear · 17/09/2023 12:29

RBC also passed inspections with flying colours now - their problematic inspection was a while ago and, frankly, all of this says a lot about the inadequacy of inspections. As said we left Shiplake due to a very obvious issue with toxic masculinity, laddish culture, homophobia etc, and moved to RBC which we have found to be much more tolerant and inclusive. And the academic divide between RBC and all other boys/coed Indy schools around Reading now that we are back to ‘normal’ results is stark.