The Liverpool Blue Coat School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: Individual
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 180
Competition: Medium
Ofsted Rating: Good
The Liverpool Blue Coat School
The Liverpool Blue Coat School is a leading co-educational grammar school located in Wavertree, Liverpool. Established in 1708, it is one of the oldest schools in the region and is widely recognised for its blend of academic excellence, strong community spirit, and focus on character development. Originally founded as a charity school, it has evolved into one of the most respected grammar schools in the North West.
Today, the school remains committed to its founding values, offering a challenging and inclusive education to students from all backgrounds. With an Outstanding Ofsted rating, Blue Coat consistently achieves exceptional GCSE and A Level results, ranking among the top-performing schools nationally. Students are encouraged to excel academically while also developing through leadership roles, music, sport, and community service.
The Liverpool Blue Coat School benefits from impressive facilities, including modern IT suites, science laboratories, a well-equipped library, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Its spacious grounds support a broad and engaging curriculum, complemented by a wide choice of clubs, societies, and enrichment activities. Each year, 180 Year 7 places are available, attracting around 1,000 applicants. Admission is based on performance in the school’s competitive two-stage entrance exam, which assesses verbal, numerical, and reasoning skills.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for The Liverpool Blue Coat School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for The Liverpool Blue Coat School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
The Liverpool Blue Coat School’s Key Information
Key information for The Liverpool Blue Coat School, such as intake information and contact details.
School Address
Full Address:
Church RoadWavertree
Liverpool
Merseyside
L15 9EE
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There may not be parking within the school, however there is on-street parking nearby.Â
Additional parking off site
- Car Park: Parking Area, Penny Lane Shopping Centre, Church Rd, Liverpool, L15 9EB, 0.3 miles from the school.
- Car Park: Wavertree Sports Park, Wellington Rd, Grant Ave, Liverpool, L15 4LE, 0.6 miles from the school.
The Liverpool Blue Coat School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: The Liverpool Blue Coat School is rated Good overall, with Outstanding behaviour and attitudes.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve highly across subjects and show strong motivation to succeed.
Teaching and curriculum: The curriculum is ambitious and well delivered by knowledgeable teachers.
Behaviour and culture: Excellent behaviour, respectful attitudes and an inclusive school community.
Leadership and safeguarding: Well-led with high expectations, supportive staff culture and effective safeguarding.
The Liverpool Blue Coat School Exam Format
The entrance exam for The Liverpool Blue Coat School is split into two online phases, designed to assess your child’s skills in reading, maths, and reasoning. Both phases take place at the school using a computer, keyboard, and mouse.
The Liverpool Blue Coat School Entry Exam: Overview
All applicants sit the Phase 1 assessment, which tests five key areas. Based on the results, around 400 top-performing applicants are invited to move on to Phase 2. Families will be informed in the week beginning 25 August 2025 if their child has qualified for Phase 2.
Phase One
An online exam testing five key areas:
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Reading
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Spelling
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General Mathematics
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Mental Arithmetic
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Developed Ability
Phase Two
This stage focuses on more advanced reasoning and problem-solving skills, including:
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Verbal Ability
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Numerical Ability
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Non-verbal Ability
11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
The Liverpool Blue Coat School does not publish an official pass mark for its entrance exam, as the required score varies each year depending on overall performance and the number of applicants.
Catchment Area
The Liverpool Blue Coat School does not operate a catchment area, but pupils must attend as day students. Families are responsible for arranging travel to and from the school.
Additional Eligibility
To gain a place, applicants must first meet the required academic standard in the entrance exam. If more candidates qualify than there are available places, priority is given as follows:
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Children currently or previously in public care
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Children eligible for Pupil Premium
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Children with siblings already attending the school
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Children of staff who meet the employment criteria
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Other applicants, ranked by exam score
Click here to view the full The Liverpool Blue Coat School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Supporting your child through the Blue Coat admissions process can make a real difference. Here are some tips to guide preparation:
School-specific 11 Plus revision
Families preparing for Liverpool Blue Coat School benefit from revision materials that reflect the school’s selective entrance process rather than generic practice. The 11 Plus Essentials Pack is designed to support preparation that is focused and relevant from the outset.
The pack includes structured revision guides alongside carefully selected 11 plus revision papers that align with the subjects and assessment style used by Liverpool Blue Coat School. This helps children practise the right skills and question formats, keeping 11 plus revision efficient and purposeful.
Suitable for use at home, the pack can be used independently or to support tutoring, giving parents reassurance that preparation is clearly structured and aligned with their chosen school.
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by The Liverpool Blue Coat School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
The Liverpool Blue Coat School’s Key Dates and Application Information
Here are the dates for the entrance exam for The Liverpool Blue Coat School.
Applications Open
Applications Closed
The Blue Coat School Year 7 entrance exam (Phase 1)
Parents receive results from Phase 1 exam
The Blue Coat School Year 7 entrance exam (Phase 2)
Parents receive results from Phase 2 exam
CAF Application Deadline
The Liverpool Blue Coat School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at The Liverpool Blue Coat School, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the The Liverpool Blue Coat School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Register for The Liverpool Blue Coat School entrance exam online through the school’s official website between 24 April and 2 June 2025.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with The Liverpool Blue Coat School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed – failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
The Liverpool Blue Coat School FAQs
To apply, register online for the school’s entrance test between 24 April and 2 June 2025, then submit your Common Application Form (CAF) through your local authority by 31 October 2025.
The entrance exam has two online phases assessing reading, spelling, maths, and reasoning skills. Around 400 top-performing pupils progress to Phase 2, which tests verbal, numerical, and non-verbal reasoning abilities.
Entry is highly competitive, with around 1,000 applicants each year for just 180 Year 7 places. Admission is based on performance in the two-stage entrance exam and oversubscription criteria.
The school does not have a catchment area. However, pupils must be able to attend as day students, and parents are responsible for arranging travel to and from the school.