Headteacher

Context

Bablake is an HMC independent co-educational day school, with 710 pupils in the senior school, including almost 200 in the Sixth Form. There is a roughly even balance of boys and girls, who share rich opportunities and encourage one another in their endeavours. The main point of entry to Bablake is at the age of 11, when up to 125 pupils join, of whom almost half come from our Junior School (350 pupils, including Pre Prep). Retention into Sixth Form is very good, when a number of pupils join us from local maintained and independent schools. Entry is governed by academic ability, and the availability of bursaries and scholarships allows us to assist almost 30% of pupils financially. This, combined with the very competitive annual fee (£13,785), means that pupils are drawn from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds; it is a distinctive strength of the School. For those seeking selective co-education, Bablake is often the natural first choice for pupils from primary and preparatory schools throughout Warwickshire and the West Midlands. There is healthy competition for places, and it is not surprising that the vast majority of pupils obtain 10 GCSEs. The school enjoyed record GCSE results (40% A*, 91% A*-B) and is ranked as the top day co-educational independent school in the West Midlands. Bablake is part of the Coventry School Foundation, which comprises Bablake Senior and Junior Schools, The Pre-preparatory School at the Grange, and King Henry VIII Senior and Junior Schools.

History and facilities

The school was founded in 1344, but has occupied its current home since 1890. We were pleased in 2015 to celebrate 40 years of co-education, and boys and girls enjoy working together in an atmosphere of mutual support and respect.

The main impressive Victorian building has been constantly upgraded and improved. More recent additions and improvements have included a Languages Block (1991), a Junior School (1993), an English, Drama and Music Block, including Theatre (2000), new Science Laboratories (2004), refurbishment of the swimming pool (2005), a Library extension (2005), a Memorial Garden (2009), and new indoor sports facilities and netball/ tennis courts (2008-15). There has been a gradual improvement of all teaching areas (including a staged refurbishment of Science laboratories), so that all departments have their own suite of rooms and staff areas, as well as having access to ICT equipment including multi-media projectors and interactive whiteboards.

There are 40 acres of excellent playing fields about one mile away from the school. Next to these is the Coventry School Foundation All-Weather Pitch facility, which is shared with our sister school, King Henry VIII; this was completely refurbished in 2014. The Sixth Form Centre and Medical Centre were refurbished in September 2017.

The School has strengths in many areas including a long tradition at the Edinburgh Festival and, more recently, we have been developing our links with engineering and are currently West Midlands Champions in Formula 1 in Schools. We are also working on a DeLorean, converting it into the Back into the Future car!

Situation

The school occupies an attractive, green site under 1 mile from Coventry city centre, and is easily accessible by road from surrounding towns and villages. Coventry itself is undergoing healthy regeneration after the loss of some manufacturing industry, and is surrounded by some beautiful countryside in the heart of England. The school enjoys the educational, artistic and historical benefits of its proximity to Warwick and Coventry Universities), Birmingham, Royal Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon. JLR continues to expand and the city was recently the UK City of Culture.

Opportunities

Co-curricular activities, including sport, music, drama and the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme are enthusiastically pursued and supported by staff and pupils alike, as is a vigorous programme of community service and charity fundraising. The Combined Cadet Force is a key part of our offer. There is a vibrant House system, in which happy participation is encouraged across the age-range through a host of activities. In recent years the school has been represented in national finals for netball and indoor hockey, with the rugby, hockey (boys’ and girls’), cricket, cross-country and athletics teams regular winners of local and regional competitions. There is a full and varied programme of visits and tours, both at home and abroad.

Working at Bablake

Staff are all well-qualified and enthusiastic, and have high expectations of themselves and their pupils. There is a staff: pupil ratio of 1:10. We received another outstanding inspection report in May 2023. The school has a strong reputation for pastoral care, and teaching staff are committed to co-curricular activities. Generous fee remission for the children of permanent staff is available at all Foundation schools (from age 3) subject to a minimum number of hours worked. There is an excellent and loyal support staff, who understand their vital role in contributing to pupils’ growth and achievements. All staff benefit from free membership of our on-site Sports Club.

Do consult our website (www.bablake.com) for a fuller description of the school, and for our latest news. Our most recent ISI inspection report can be found on our website or at www.isi.net.