Ages 
Henry’s has always been academic, but now it comes with added warmth, and the extracurricular is richer than ever (particularly fabulous music and art). Pupils say they feel valued as individuals – ‘They really find where your strengths lie.’ And parents like the emphasis on excellence for all.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 563 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 164 ·
- Religion
- Christian
- Fees
- £15,900 pa
- Local authority
- Coventry City Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Philip Dearden
Since 2022, Philip Dearden, interim head for two years before that, and previously deputy head. He has also been deputy head (academic) at Wycombe Abbey International School of Changzhou and taught at the British School in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Hails
Entrance
Around half of year 7s are home grown from the on-site prep, with the rest from up to 30 different feeder schools – ones and twos from most, often a few more from the local three primary schools. External applicants are tested in English and maths.
- Open days
- June and September
Exit
Around a quarter leave after GCSE, mainly to local grammars. School has been working particularly hard to hang on to more of its highest achievers, of whom they were losing around a quarter. ‘When we looked at the grammar school websites to see who’s
Latest results
In 2024, 63 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 40 per cent A*/A at A level (69 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Academic but not pressurised, is the general parent consensus. ‘I wanted a school where my children could reach their potential via inspired teaching and not by force, and that’s exactly what we got.’ Culture is one where it’s cool to want to work,
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Historically a bit of an afterthought, but now there’s a strong expectation for all teachers to take responsibility for all pupils. Gone, then, are the days of pupils being given information then asked to copy it down – hell on toast for dyslexic
Arts & extracurricular
Music is simply fabulous, with 10 times the national average taking music GCSE (10 per cent of the school). At A level, they team up with Bablake. A recent donation has meant the school is able to offer free instrumental lessons for all year 7s –
Sport
The merger that didn’t quite happen put a spanner in the works as sports teams combined, then separated. Things now back on track, and rugby and netball are doing well on the regional circuit again, although it’s still probably not a school parents
Ethos & heritage
The 1885 façade may be imposing, but there’s nothing stuffy about this school, which has an open, friendly, gregarious feel. Originally dating back to 1545 when King Henry VIII instructed his hanaper, Sir John Hales, to found a school in Coventry.
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘My philosophy is that if kids are happy, they will learn,’ says head. Teachers are now expected to see half their job as a mentoring role – ‘someone who really understands teenagers, not just someone who can teach their subject’. It’s clearly paying
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Under normal circumstances mobile phones or smart watches should not be brought to school. However, if a mobile phone is required for added safety/security in journeying to and from school, it must, on arrival at school, be placed in the pupil’s locker or handed in to Reception. Mobile phones and smart watches should not be used between 8.30am and 4.00pm. Using a mobile phone or smart watch between these times will result in an after school detention. No responsibility for the loss of a mobile phone will be accepted where the above procedures have not been followed. Under no circumstances are pupils permitted to take videos or pictures at school or whilst travelling to/from school on trips or activities. Pupils who do not meet this expectation will be subject to strict sanctions.
Pupils & parents
Parents are hardworking and aspirational, mainly dual income. Lots of medics, engineers and business owners. They are regarded as a courteous group – no barracking from the touchlines when you play Henry’s. Pupils are polite and conscientious too – a
Money matters
In terms of Midlands day schools, the school is good value, coming in below most of the others. About a quarter are on some fee remission in the senior school. These include means-tested bursaries of over 100 per cent (to include trips, uniform etc)
- Fee information
- £15,900 pa
The last word
Henry’s has always been academic, but now it comes with added warmth, and the extracurricular is richer than ever (particularly fabulous music and art). Pupils say they feel valued as individuals – ‘They really find where your strengths lie.’ And
