Founded in 1646, Reading Blue Coat is a leading independent day school of 785 pupils; 705 boys aged 11– 18 and a further 80 girls in the co-educational sixth form. The School is located on a beautiful 46 acre campus in the village of Sonning, just outside Reading, overlooking the River Thames. From September 2023, the school will welcome a co-educational intake into Year 7 with the intention of being a fully co-educational independent day school from September 2027 onwards. The ethos of the School derives from its Christian foundation and traditions, fostering care and consideration within the community. The School aims to provide a stimulating and friendly atmosphere in which each pupil can realise his or her full intellectual, physical and creative potential. Pupils are encouraged to be self-reliant and adaptable, and the School intends that they will learn the basis of good citizenship, founded on honesty, fairness and understanding of the needs of others. The curriculum provides a balanced blend of academic and non-academic activities that combine to meet these objectives. The School employs in excess of 180 salaried staff, of whom about 50% are academic staff.