CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop the merger of two Coventry’s two historic independent schools have expressed their relief after a U-turn in restructuring plans is announced – but feel dismayed the vision for ‘one school’ remains.
Coventry School Foundation has announced a newly revised approach that the new Bablake and King Henry VIII School – renamed BKHS – will provide Preparatory and Senior education at two of their three sites from September, after a strong preference was raised by parents.
Under last October’s original controversial merger plans all senior pupils were to be educated on the Bablake site and all Prep pupils at King Henry VIII.
The Swallows site will close and nursery and Pre-Preparatory education for three to seven-year-olds will based at The Grange, as previously announced. BKHS will officially launch in September with Year 7 and Reception pupils the first to wear the school’s new uniform.
Andrew Wright, Bablake and King Henry VIII Project Lead, said: “The vision of one school remains. The additional work undertaken presented the opportunity to reflect and reshape the approach.”
He described the new changes as “the least disruptive and most cost-effective way of delivering the significant benefits that a single school experience will offer”.
School governors, he said, had not taken the decision lightly.
Mr Wright added: “It is hoped parents and staff can see that the new approach reflects their feedback and will continue to deliver outstanding education while creating a robust financial future.”
In response Action4 Henry’s and Bablake group said: “After months of campaigning we are greatly relieved that Bablake and King Henry’s will both retain their junior and senior schools.
“These are institutions with centuries of success behind them and I’m sure that that will continue, given the chance. However, for Coventry School Foundation to persist in pretending that they can somehow function as ‘one school’ is nonsensical.
“Both Bablake and King Henry VIII are proudly different schools on opposite sides of the city, and they provide unique and distinctive educational opportunities. Therefore, we are deeply concerned about the continuing idea of somehow merging the curricula, sports teams, music departments, uniforms and sixth forms.
“This will lead to a loss of identity in both the schools and remove their unique marketing potential. Additionally, the proposal to sell the Swallows site would sacrifice a prime and characterful educational asset and an important ‘feeder school’ for King Henry’s.
“There is still no proper justification for why these moves are necessary, or what the ‘significant benefits’ are supposed to be, other than some minor cost savings.
“In the meantime the Charity Commission case continues, staff are on the brink of taking strike action over their treatment by the Foundation, and the governing body is in a state of flux.
“We will continue our newly-opened dialogue with the governing body and seek further, educationally-driven changes to preserve choice and opportunity for all pupils.”
READ the latest on strike action by members of the NASUWT Teachers’ Union within Coventry School Foundation over the planned restructure online today.
