The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School
100%
Capacity
1,203
Pupils
3.3x
Demand
About The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School
The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Cheshire West and Chester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,203 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (100% of 1,200 places).
Ofsted has rated The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Helen Cairns, it falls under Cheshire West and Chester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.26 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 48.8. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 928th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 6th out of 19 in Cheshire West and Chester.
The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School is a popular choice with families — it received 674 applications for 202 places, making it 3.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 224 were first-preference applications.
The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 82% recommending the school (306 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School include Music Rooms, Swimming Pool, Sixth Form Centre, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Science Labs, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Hockey, Badminton, Rugby and 6 more, as well as clubs including Debate, Model UN, Young Enterprise, Newspaper and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 15.9%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester, The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Vaughans Lane, Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, CH3 5XF |
| Headteacher | Helen Cairns |
| Local Authority | Cheshire West and Chester |
| Number of Pupils | 1,203 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 15.9% |
| School Capacity | 1,203 / 1,200 (100% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
30 Apr 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (30 Apr 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 6 Jan 2020. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.26)
928th of 3,141
Nationally
95th of 445
In North West
6th of 19
In Cheshire West and Chester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
40.1
'22/23
35.9
'23/24
33.7
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Ofsted Parent View
306 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed202
674
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
224 families put this school as their 1st choice (33% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Vaughans Lane, Chester
Cheshire West and Chester, CH3 5XF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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