A SECONDARY school in Reading has been declared "Excellent" by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

Reading Blue Coat, in Sonning-on-Thames, was inspected in November 2019, where they achieved the highest rating possible in all categories of the inspection.

The two key findings of the Educational Quality Inspection were the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements, and the quality of the pupils’ personal development. The School was judged to be ‘excellent’ in both these areas.

In the second aspect of inspection, Regulatory Compliance, the school was fully compliant and met all legal standards; no further action was required as a result of the inspection.

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Reading Blue Coat is an Independent Day School for boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18, and was found by the ISI.

Headmaster Jesse Elzinga revealed: "I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of this Inspection.

"I am extremely grateful to all members of staff, both academic and operational, governors, pupils and parents, all of whom were asked to contribute to the inspection in some way.

"We can all take pride in being affiliated with this excellent school in the years to come."

Inspectors reported that "pupils make good progress over time in relation to their starting points, across the full range of subjects at both GCSE and A Level... In almost all cases, their examination results are at least in line with expectations based on nationally standardised test data, and frequently exceed them".

The inspectors analysed exam results at the School over the past three years, and the record-setting results at A level and GCSE in this time were part of the reason for the positive judgements.

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Six Inspectors, three of whom are Heads of other schools, visited Reading Blue Coat between Tuesday 12 November and Thursday November 14 of last year, and were impressed by the personal development of pupils, noting in the report: "Pupils show exceptional qualities of self-confidence and self-esteem.

"They interact naturally and effectively with one another and with the adult world in formal and informal settings.

"They have a clear sense of what they are seeking to achieve during their time in School."

The Inspectors also praised the School for the work it does in supporting its pupils’ mental health and well-being.

They reported: "Pupils also recognise the importance of being aware of their own mental health, thanks to the support of adult members of the community who quietly, but insistently, remind pupils that it is acceptable not to feel alright."