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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 136543

The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School

Academy converter · Chester · CH3 5XF

Ages 11–18 · 1,253 pupils · Cheshire West and Chester

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

48.8

Overall absence

7.4%

Admissions demand

1.02 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2019-11-20

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.26
−20+2
Attainment 848.8
English & maths grade 5+46%
English & maths grade 4+72%
EBacc entry19%

EBacc APS: 4.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)22.5%
Unauthorised1.4%
Authorised absence
6.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.2%
Enrolments in measure
1,074

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.02 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

213

Places offered

209

1st-preference offers

203

Total preferences (any rank)
624
Preferred offers (top 3)
209
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill104%

1,253 pupils · 1,200 places

Pupils on roll
1,253
Boys / girls
642 / 611
School capacity
1,200
Capacity fill
1,253 / 1,200 (104%)
Free school meals
17%
FSM pupils
179
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Chester
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE BISHOPS' BLUE COAT CHURCH OF ENGLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Academy trust
THE BISHOPS' BLUE COAT CHURCH OF ENGLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Headteacher
Ms Helen Cairns

Location

Address
Vaughans Lane, Great Boughton
Postcode
CH3 5XF
Town
Chester
County
Cheshire
Local authority
Cheshire West and Chester
District
Cheshire West and Chester
Constituency
Chester North and Neston
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Chester, Cheshire West and Chester, 1,253 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 17%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Chester.

Open schools in Chester
60
Secondary schools in Chester
7
Academies among open schools in Chester
33% (20)
Open schools in CH3
21
Secondary in CH3
2
Open schools in Cheshire West and Chester LA
184
Secondary in Cheshire West and Chester LA
20

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in ChesterNear CH3

  • Chester International School

    Ofsted: Good

    Studio schools · Secondary

    Chester · CH4 7AE · Cheshire West and Chester

    Ages 14–19

    • Att834.9
    • P8-1.2
    • EM5+27%
    • Absence13.8%

    0.8 miles away

  • Queen's Park High School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Chester · CH4 7AE · Cheshire West and Chester

    Ages 11–18

    • Att847.5
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+49%
    • Absence9.7%

    0.8 miles away

  • The Catholic High School, Chester

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Chester · CH4 7HS · Cheshire West and Chester

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.3
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+35%
    • Absence8.2%

    1.2 miles away

  • Christleton High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Chester · CH3 7AD · Cheshire West and Chester

    Ages 11–18

    • Att853.6
    • P80.3
    • EM5+59%
    • Absence6.9%

    1.4 miles away

  • Upton-by-Chester High School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Chester · CH2 1NN · Cheshire West and Chester

    Ages 11–18

    • Att852.3
    • P80.4
    • EM5+57%
    • Absence6.2%

    2.1 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Helen Cairns
Telephone
01244313806
Website
http://www.bishopschester.co.uk

Official links