Founded in 1545 by John Hales, Clerk of the Hanaper to the King, under Letters Patent of King Henry VIII, King Henry VIII School has a deserved reputation as one of the finest independent, co-educational day schools in the UK.
Learning, wellbeing, and respect – these are our prime aims.
The school is represented on the Headmasters’ Conference and on the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools. The governing body is the Coventry School Foundation, on which are represented Sir Thomas White’s Charity, the Coventry Church Charities, Coventry General Charities and Birmingham, Coventry, Oxford and Warwick Universities. There are also several co-opted Governors.
There are 317 boys and 255 girls in the Senior School, and 135 boys and 102 girls in the Junior School.
Facilities. The school moved to its present extensive site in a pleasant part of Coventry in 1885. The Governors have continually improved, extended and restored the buildings which are well equipped to cope with the demands of an up-to-date, relevant and challenging curriculum. The school has extensive playing fields, a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and fitness suite. The school has a brand new, state of the art Robotics Hub providing a resource for students and local primary schools in the community. The school has its own museum featuring a timeline from 1545 and contains original Tudor artefacts.
Curriculum. The curriculum is broad and balanced, integrating National Curriculum principles and practices where appropriate. The Senior School curriculum provides courses leading to the GCSE examinations and A Levels. Subjects available currently are Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design and Food Technology, Drama and Theatre Studies, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, History, Latin, Law, Mathematics, Music, Photography, Philosophy, Religion and Ethics, Physics, Politics, Psychology and Spanish. Physical Education and Sport are also considered to be a vital part of the curriculum and are available as an A Level option. All students follow a structured PSHE course.
Courses in Key Skills/Complementary Studies and Critical Thinking are offered in the Sixth Form. Year 12 pupils achieve great success in The Extended Project Qualification.
Examination results at all levels are excellent.
Games. Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Cross-Country Running, Athletics, Rounders, Tennis, Cricket, Swimming, Golf and Orienteering. Junior School games include Tag Rugby, Swimming, Soccer, Rounders, Athletics, Cricket and Cross-Country Running. The school has one of the largest artificial turf games area in the country, used mainly for hockey, but providing an additional 24 tennis courts in the summer.
Co-curricular Activities. The School is noted for the excellence of its sport, music, drama, debating, public speaking and outdoor pursuits including DofE. All pupils are encouraged to make a contribution to the extracurricular life of the school. The School has close connections with many universities including Oxford and Cambridge.
Admission. Admission is via the School’s own Entrance Examination, held annually in October for entrance the following September. The normal age of entry is 11, but there are additional intakes at other ages and also at Sixth Form level. All enquiries about admission to the school should be addressed to henrysadmissions@csfoundation.org.uk. Scholarships. The Governors award annually a number (not fixed) of entrance bursaries and scholarships. Full details regarding financial assistance are available on the website www.kinghenrys.co.uk. Junior School. The Junior School is based on the same site and enjoys excellent facilities which include a Library, ICT rooms with networked PCs, an Art and Design rooms, Astroturf and Sports Hall and a Music room. Children are accepted by assessment from 7+ to 10+. The emphasis is on a broad education based upon the National Curriculum and children are prepared for entry to the Senior School.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School £6,169; Junior School £4,886; Pre Prep (Reception to Year 2) £4,275.
Charitable status. Coventry School Foundation is a Registered Charity, number 528961. Its aim is to advance the education of boys and girls by the provision of a school or schools in or near the City of Coventry.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of Governors: Mr Ian Dunn
Principal, Coventry School Foundation: Mr C Staley, BA, MBA
Senior School Headmaster: Mr Philip Dearden, MA Ed, BA
Deputy Heads:
Dr Michele Cuthbert, BSc, MEd, HDipEd, WITS
Mr Richard Sewell, PGCE, BA Hons
Mrs Carrie Dowding, PGCE, BSc Hons
Junior School Head: Ms Hayley Shortt, BSc