The Liverpool Blue Coat School in Wavertree, Liverpool, United Kingdom, was founded in 1708 by Mr Bryan Blundell and Rev. Robert Styth as 'a school for teaching poor children to read, write and cast accounts'.
| Liverpool Blue Coat School | |
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| Location | |
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| Information | |
| Type | Grammar School |
| Motto | Non Sibi Sed Omnibus (Not for oneself but for all) |
| Established | 1708 |
| Headmaster | Mr. Michael George 'Sandy' Tittershill |
| Enrollment | 1000 |
| Ages | 11 - 18 |
| Website | http://www.bluecoatschool.net |
The original school expanded rapidly and a new building, the present Bluecoat Arts Centre, opened in 1718. At the start of the 20th century it was decided that the School needed to move from the polluted Town Centre to somewhere quieter, and the village of Wavertree was the site chosen. The architects chosen for the design of the new building were Briggs, Wolstenholme & Thornely, most notable for the design of the Port of Liverpool Building. In 1906 the school took possession of the building. It was described as 'spectacular' by Nikolaus Pevsner and later designated a Grade II* Listed Building. Later additions include the clock tower and domed chapel.
After the school received a Government grant of almost £8 million, together with more than £1 million from the School's Foundation Governors, the site was expanded and redeveloped.
The first stage of the involved demolishing the ageing swimming pool, '60s built sixth form centre, and old sports hall. The North Wing was renovated and extended with modern laboratories, sports and dance facilities. The dining room became the new library with over 35 computers as well as many traditional books, and the old library space has become a new sixth form centre. Also on the North Wing, a new music room has been added, to replace the previous music room on the East Wing. The new music room facilities include: three practice rooms; two main teaching class rooms; a sound-proof recording studio; an instrument storage room; and an office for head of department, Mr. Martin Cook. A new administration area was built on the site of the old 6th Form Centre and the South Wing has been sold to be converted into designer apartments.
Originally a Church of England school, the school now accepts and incorporates many other religions and practices into its daily routine, whilst maintaining a strong Christian ethos. This is shown in assembly at the start of each day which includes a bible reading, hymn and prayer.
The Blue Coat holds a long-standing academic tradition; examination results consistently place the school top of the local, and near the head of national GCSE and A-level league tables.
Scenes for the Channel 4 programme Hollyoaks have been filmed inside.
The school motto is: Non sibi sed omnibus. (This is Latin for 'Not for oneself, but for all').
February 2006: The former location of the Blue Coat school, now the oldest arts centre in the world, is under consideration for National Heritage status after plans were revealed to sell fast burgers outside of the premises. Work on converting the East Wing into modern apartments has been underway for many weeks and the results are starting to show.
The Tricentenary Appeal
Because no one is above begging.
The Prefect System
The Blue Coat School prides itself upon its awful Prefect model. There are usually between 40-55 Prefects from the Sixth Form, representing about 1/6 of the Sixth Form as a whole. Members of the Upper and Lower 6th can become Prefects through a process of Staff nominations and Interviews. These interviews take place in two batches: one in December, where around 10 - 15 Prefects are appointed from the Lower 6th, to supplement the 30 - 40 Upper Sixth Prefects already present, and a further set of interviews in May, to provide replacements for the soon-to-leave Upper 6th Prefects.
The Prefects are charged with maintaining order in the corridors during Break and Lunch times, and typically do two break duties and two lunch duties each week, together with members of Staff. The Prefects also play a large role in other events, the most important ones being the Entrance Examination, Prize Giving and Founders' Day, with the Procession at Prize Giving and Founders' Day being led by the Head of School (Head Boy or Head Girl) .The Prefects also play a part in the Parents Association events, helping after school at discos, fairs and quizzes.
There are several ranks of Prefect:
- School Prefect
- Senior Prefect
- Deputy Head of School
- Head of School
There are also Prefects specific to certain areas, such as Library Prefects and IT Prefects. These are recommended by the Head of Department to the Head of Sixth Form, who then decides whether they are to be made Prefects or not.
With the entrance of girls into the school from September 2002, a Head Boy and Head Girl are now appointed, sharing the title of Head of School. The process to become a Head of School is again through Staff nominations and an Interview with the Head of Discipline (Pastoral Deputy Head), the Head of 6th Form and the Assistant Head of 6th Form . The Heads of School are supported by four Deputies, two Deputy Head Boys and two Deputy Head Girls, and four Senior Prefects.
Music Society
The Liverpool Blue Coat is renowned as having one of the best music departments and societies in Merseyside. The school boasts several bands and groups, including an orchestra, concert band, choir, string band and jazz band, which all take part in concerts held periodically throughout the school year. The orchestra, conducted by Mr. Martin Cook, is recognised as being one of the best school orchestras in Liverpool, and annually takes part in the Liverpool Music Festival as well as school concerts and occasions such as prize giving and founder's day. The concert band, aimed mainly at younger members of the school although incorporating players of all musical abilities, is also conducted by Mr. Cook and plays in all school concerts. Mr. Cook also leads the school choir, who are often thought to be the school's greatest musical asset. The choir takes part in all concerts and school occasions, and tours whenever possible, with past conquests including a tour of Venice in 2003 and, more recently, a tour of Prague and Vienna in the summer of 2005. Smaller groups include the string band and the jazz band. The music society continues to grow and remains amongst the best in Liverpool.
The East Wing
The East Wing of the School comprises the Clock Tower, the Chapel, the former administration block and the former music rooms, along with an apartment. After a large investment by the School's charitable Foundation the whole of the East wing has been fully refurbished. Notable improvements include:
- All 4 clock faces on the clock tower being replaced.
- Extensive repairs to the roof and masonry work.
- Redecoration and restoration of the Chapel, including the Organ.
- Restoration of the Board Room.
- Installation of catering facilities.
- The mothballing of the former headmasters study and office areas for a Year 13 centre.
- A hot tub
The fine facilities of the Foundation, including Chapel, Board Room, reception areas and the Shirley Hall are all available for hire, including weddings and services as of July 2006. Further details can be found on the School's website - please see the link below.
Notable alumni
- Mitch Benn, musician and comedian
- Evan Harris, Member of Parliament
- Jonathan Harvey, writer
- Kevin Nolan, professional footballer
- Stephen Parry, Olympic swimmer
- Lord Rennard, Liberal Democrat chief executive
- Daniel Brown, Designer of the Year 2004
- Steaky - Pie eating champ 2005
- Matthew Caine- professional queer
Departments and Teachers
- Art - Head of Department: Mr. Derek Boal
- Biology - Head of Department: Mr. Vincent Kenny
- Business Studies - Head of Department: Mr. Jamieson
- Chemistry - Head of Department: Mr. Nick Cowan
- Citizenship - Head of Department: Mrs. Roberts
- Design Technology - Head of Department: Mr. Graham Hicks
- English - Head of Department: Mr. Timothy Kershaw
- Geography - Head of Department: Mr. John Lamb
- Groundskeeping - Head of Department: Mr Andrew Gibson
- History - Head of Department: Ms. Lynette Holland
- Information Technology - Head of Department: Mr. Phillip Keating
- Latin - Head of Department: Mr. Philip Watson
- Mathematics - Head of Department: Mr. Simon Shipgood
- Modern Foreign Languages - Heads of Department: Mrs. Carol Jackson
- Music - Head of Department: Mr. Martin Cook
- Physical Education - Head of Department: Mr. John Rees
- Physics - Head of Department: Dr. Peter Wilde
- Politics - Head of Department: Mr. John Caulfield
- Religious Studies - Head of Department: Miss Hayley Roberts
- Science - Head of Department: Mrs. Joanne Beggs
- Spanish - Head of Department: Mr. John Adamson (temporary)
Year Group Managers
- Year 7 - Miss Cornwall
- Year 8 - Mrs. Roberts
- Year 9 - Mr. Peter Phelan Pippin The Poncy Hobbit
- Year 10 - Mr. Nicholas D. Barends
- Year 11 - Mr. Roderney McGreevy
- Years 12 and 13 - Mr. John Caulfield
- Year 66 - Mr Dave
Headmasters
Some old guys....
- Mr. Hugh Jass (2001- )