Blue Coat School, Oldham
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The Blue Coat School, Oldham is a Church of England comprehensive school in Oldham, a town in North West England.
The school caters for pupils aged 11 - 18, offering A Level and GCSE courses. It is one of the few schools in the country to hold leading edge and science college status. Prior to becoming leading edge, Blue Coat had been a beacon school. This means the school has social responsibility to help develop other secondary schools in the area, as well as themselves.
The motto of the school is from the Latin: Semper Quaereamus Virtutem – "Let us always seek virtue". Head Teacher Julie Hollis' vision as of July 2004:
- "Now the school has proved to be the best in Oldham, it is working to become the best in the North West which will pave the way to become the best in England".
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Current information
Recent Government grants have enabled the school to venture into a multi-million Pound building scheme. So far additions have been a wheelchair lift to increase disabled access; and the reconstruction and further reconstruction of the school's Main Entrance. This involved the erection of a handrail-free, lighted walkway and single double-glazed door. In 1994 the school completed a major funraising campaign, enabling it to build a new Science department building, which was completed in 1995.
The Blue Coat school provides an education for those who live in the areas of Oldham, Saddleworth, Manchester, Tameside and Rochdale. A short walk from the town centre, The Blue Coat School is at the heart of the community. Currently, there are around 1050 pupils in the main school, with an additional 200 in the sixth form. There are also almost 100 members of staff, teaching or otherwise.
To gain entry to the school, evidence of a active Church Of England background is necessary. However, this has been the subject of controversy due to the large nearby Muslim population. During a school year, there are three communions (Christmas, Easter and End of year) and the assemblies during the school time have a strong Christian theme.
In years seven to nine, pupils study a broad range of subjects in Key Stage 3, before taking Standard Attainment Tests (SATs) in the core subjects of Mathematics, English and Science. These examinations test the competancy of both the pupils understanding of each subject as well as the standard of their teaching. Years ten and eleven involve Key Stage 4 work, which leads to General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs). Pupils must do the core subjects of Mathematics, English (Language and Literature), Double or Triple Science, Religious Studies and a modern foreign language (either French or German). On top of these, pupils are given the option of three more subjects, which could be an additional language, History, Geography, Drama Studies, Information Technology, Physical Education, Business Studies or Drama, as well as several Design and Technology courses.
After finishing GCSEs, education is not compulsory. Pupils can choose to stay at the sixth form for years twelve and thirteen. Alternatively they could choose another sixth form college, such as Oldham Sixth Form College or Tameside Sixth Form College. However, some students look for work by this stage, for a variety of reasons. Should pupils stay on at Blue Coat in year 12, they will be required to choose four subjects to study for AS-level. The school currently offers around 30 different and diverse courses. In year 13, each student keeps at least three of these subjects for A2-level. Students will have the option of keeping all of their subjects through A2, doing three A2-levels and one new AS-level, or just three A2-levels in year 13. The intensity of sixth-form is high, with a large amount of coursework expected in each subject, as well as exams at the end of each year. Having completed sixth form, students have several options. These include going to University, finding work or taking a gap year.
The most recent OFSTED inspection was in 1999. A summary of the report was that it was one of the top comprehensive schools in the country. The report gave nothing but praise to the teaching methods adopted and the results gained.
Staff
The current headteacher is Julie Hollis MA (Oxon) (Mrs).
There are two deputy headteachers:
- Brian Devenport
- Mike Platt
And two assistants:
- Robin Gadsbey
- Claire Green
Pastoral care
For years 7 through to 9, the school uses a house system; the school is divided into three smaller sections, or Houses. These are Birley Hall, Lord Mothersill and Rountree Wrigley. In later years, pastoral care is coordinated by year groups. Each house or year group has a Head and Deputy Head of House, who are responsible for pastoral care and discipline within the group.
School history
Thomas Henshaw, the founder, who died in 1810, left the sum of £40,000 for the endowment of the Blue Coat School. As no provision had been made for the cost of the building, a public meeting was held in Oldham in September 1825, when offers of land were received, and a public appeal was launched for funds to build the school. A start was made in 1829 when the foundation stone was laid and the school was opened in 1834. Throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century the school continued to maintain and instruct between 100 and 130 boys.
In July 1952, the trustees decided that, as the number of pupils in residence was gradually decreasing, Blue Coat should be closed as a residential school and the building converted for use as a secondary modern day school. This plan was effected, and the school became co-educational accommodating approximately 400 pupils.
The Oldham Henshaw and Church of England Educational Trust, constituted in 1950, had as one of its aims the building and maintenance of new secondary schools, and one of its objectives was to provide a Special Agreement secondary school by extending and reorganising Blue Coat into a comprehensive school. This plan was realised in September 1966 when The Blue Coat School became fully comprehensive. It is now a seven form entry Voluntary Aided Comprehensive School admitting 211 boys and girls each year, with a thriving Sixth form, the majority of whom go on to Higher Education. Voluntary Aided status means that the governors of the school are responsible for the upkeep of all buildings and have to rely on the financial support and generosity of parents and friends of the school.
Annual events
- Founder's Day: The commemoration of the school's founder Thomas Henshaw. This is usually held towards the end of July. It involves the school's pupils parading in front of the residents of Oldham as they walk down to Oldham parish church. Here, there is a service which recognises the achievements of both the founder and the current school. The assembled school then proceeds back to the school buildings, where a wreath is laid in front of Henshaw's statue.
- Speech Night: Usually held on the second Friday in November, this recognises the achievements of the pupils over the past academic year. Prizes for excellence in both schoolwork and extra-curricular activities. Over previous years, the ceremony has taken place at Manchester Cathedral and the Oldham Coliseum.
- Community Day - occurring towards the end of the year, pupils are encouraged to join in a project in the community for one day. In the past, these have included clearing of public lands and ponds, recycling iniatives, and holding of subject-oriented days for Primary School pupils in the borough.
Notable former pupils
- Stephen Bywater - A notable football player, Stephen was signed for West Ham United in 1997, after being spotted by a talent scout whilst training for Oldham Athletic. He is currently the first choice goalkeeper for the club.
- Matthew Wolfenden - Another footballer, Wolfenden is currently a player for Oldham Athletic Football Club, although he has played in relatively few professional matches.
- Alex Carter - drama student who attended Blue Coat, Alex currently plays 17 year old Lee Hunter in the television programme Hollyoaks, aired on Channel 4. Prior to joining Hollyoaks in 2001 he appeared in Adam's Family Tree and Where The Heart Is on TV as well as some plays for Radio 4.