King Henry's Coventry? Bablake?

[MWestie]

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of either of these schools, good or bad!

Thanks.

[RaingodsWithZippos]

I went to Henry's. I came out with a very broad and eclectic general knowledge base with a B at GCSE Maths but functionally innumerate. I am brilliant at languages however. What they do well is pick up on and encourage a pupils interests and skills, but if you aren't interested in a subject they don't try to turn you on to it. Obviously I left a long time ago (20 years) and was there throughout the pervert years, so things may have changed massively. But despite the awful PE teachers and low level bullying from some of my peers because I was from a skint family on an assisted place, I look back with fondness in the most part.

[Waydugo]

Yes I have a DC at Bablake. We are really happy with the choice we made. My DC doesn't find school easy and has struggled with friendships and anxiety. The pastoral care is fantastic. Cannot fault it.

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

We preferred Bablake to KHVIII when we looked round for DS. He didn't pass the entrance exam though.

[Waydugo]

I think Bablake has more of a mixed background of children than Henry's. That's the feeling we got when comparing schools.

[Waydugo]

I think Bablake has more of a mixed background of children than Henry's. That's the feeling we got when comparing schools.

[MWestie]

Interesting thoughts, thank you so much.

We have applied for Henry's for our DS as we liked the feel of the school, the emphasis on bringing out the best in each child, and to be honest it also suited us from a practical level transport wise. We were also happy with the general academic results they've produced, but liked that these were not at the expense of other interests/activities.

As we couldn't apply to both KH and Bablake we went for KH. Not sure why I'm starting to have cold feet now though, but I am hence asking for your personal experiences. So hard!

[emwithme]

I'm another one who was at Henry's during the Pervert Days (excellent description, Raingods). I was also on an Assisted Place.

If I was now in the right area, I would send my DC there without a second thought. I may not have used all the opportunities I was given, but I was given them anyway and I came out a relatively decent person with a well-rounded education.

[MWestie]

That's good to hear @emwithme though am slightly freaked out about all these casual mentions of the Pervert Days??

[Waydugo]

I think overall there is little to choose between the two as we find the co-curricula activities are heavily emphasised at Bablake as well. Every parent's meeting we attend they always emphasise it's not just about results but developing the whole child. I think Bablake's results were slightly up on Henry's this year though. Can't fault the teaching my child receives. There's no way they would have had that much support at state school. Hence why we're really pleased with it.

[MWestie]

Thanks @waydugo it sounds like a good fit for your child.

[portico]

My nieces went to Henrys in the early 90s. Was good then, as it was a cohort of 22 places by entrance exam. Now, it is a bigger foundation. Selection is by ability to pay. Bablake is better. It is solid, but an unspectacular performer. If distances allow for it, go for the private schools in Warwick. few years ago at an open day, Head at Henry's said Warwick is better. I concur.

[emwithme]

Portico 22 places in the early 90s? I was there (secondary) at that time and there were about 150 per year group (5 forms of 30 intake). The Coventry Schools Foundation was (at that time) the two junior and two senior schools. It's now grown slightly to include the two pre-prep schools that traditionally fed in (Cheshunt and Cov Prep) but that hasn't changed much.

MWestie there was one (long-standing) teacher who was arrested and charged with possession and making of indecent images, in 1999 (a little after I'd left). This shocked absolutely no one who had ever been anywhere near him at the time. The investigation into this led to the discovery that the (relatively newly appointed) Head also had indecent images.

[MWestie]

Thanks again @emwithme, was a bit wary of hitting google on that one. Unfortunately I know all too well you get people like that in all walks of life, it wouldn't affect how I feel about the school now. My DS is sitting the exam shortly anyway...if he doesn't pass then all this angst on my part will be completely irrelevant!

[IvySquirrel]

I don't live in Cov now but have had several family members attend Henry's both past & present. They have all had a positive experience and would recommend. Good sport, music & solid academics.

[OohLookASquirrel]

We are sending our DC to Bablake this year. Didn’t even look at Henry’s tbh. Can’t explain why but I just don’t like the feel of it. Bablake is absolutely lovely though!

[monkey42]

It's interesting to read this thread on a number of levels! I left in the 80s and was on a free place, but unlike other posters experienced zero attitude due to that. Back then there was the juniors which made 90 of the 120 entry to pretty competitive at 11plus. I loved the place and my friendship group was fab and have all been hugely successful, in my year there were 12 to oxbridge and 12 to medical school, or thereabouts, but reading through leavers destinations these days looks less impressive. Also friends who have moved back to leamington have chosen Warwick over khv111 despite having very strong ties to khviii.
On a separate point about the scandal, the teacher in question was there throughout my time I never saw or heard anything dodgy. Khv111 takes from those who catch the train and sw on the whole, so the catchment is different from bablake

[MWestie]

Thank you all for your replies, lots to think about!

[IAmCrazyMostOfTheTime]

I went to Henry’s from yr 7 to yr13 and left in 2000. I was on an assisted place until 6th form and generally didn’t feel there was any difference between myself and fee paying students. I absolutely loved the experience at Henry’s. I felt supported and challenged academically.

That being said we have this year sent DD to Bablake senior and she has just started year 7. We looked around both schools expecting to prefer Henrys but Bablake had a great atmosphere, better facilities and had a real emphasis on extra-curricular activities. The Pastoral care so far at Bablake has been excellent. DD has had the support of learning support Department for anxiety issues and they have been fantastic in helping her feel comfortable at school.

[MWestie]

Thank you @IAmCrazy it sounds as if Bablake was a good choice for your daughter.

[SquidgeyMidgey]

Wow, yet another Henry's kid from the pervert years here. Has anyone sniffed a book lately? My DH is dead against selective schools but if we lived closer and he wasn't so anti I would send our dc there.

[portico]

Apologies enwithme. I got the KH8 entry numbers wrong. I believe it is an ok school if on 100% bursary. But if paying, it is shit. There is no value for money. Bablake is better, but hardly stellar. Bablake was back up for Ds2, if he could not get into his chosen Birmingham Grammar School. Thank god he did.

[Waydugo]

Where does the hardly stellar come from? They've just come 37th best co-Ed school In the Times survey. I'd say that was pretty good considering the Cov Goundation school's are some of the cheapest in the country.

[Waydugo]

Foundation!

[portico]

Waydugo, I go on academic results at GCSE and A Levels. Please send a URL. I think Bablake is good. It's not outstanding, otherwise I would have sent Ds2 there, despite the annual fees.

[Temporaryanonymity]

I know some kids who went to Henry's. They left with very underwhelming results and a superior attitude. Put me right off private schools.

We have left the area now but if I was going to stump up for fees it would be for Warwick. Outstanding facilities.