Thousands join school merger protest
A PETITION to stop the merging of two historic Coventry schools has reached more than 2,400 signatures, and is gathering pace.
As reported on October 2, the city’s two main private schools - Bablake School and King Henry VIII School - are to come together to become known as Coventry School by September 2022.
Both schools charge up to £12,162 in annual fees, £4,054 per term and are operated by Coventry School Foundation.
But it is an announcement that has surprised and rattled readers, so much so that a petition to “stop the Coventry School merger” was set up.
The change.org petition says: “This decision was obviously met with hostility as the attempt to combine two distinctly historical schools (Bablake and King Henry VIII) did not look to do anyone justice. We plead that you sign this petition to stop the merger proposed by the Foundation of which only seemed to be motivated by the incentive of profit.”
We got in touch with the organiser of the petition through change. org, who filled us in on why they set it up.
The organiser, who wanted to remain anonymous but posted on the petition as ‘Coventry Crusader’, and who says they are a sixth form student at Bablake School said: “I got home [after school], and we get hit with this bombshell that we’re merging with our rival school King Henry VIII, no one has informed us, teachers and students, no one was aware and we got hit with this big decision.
“It looks like it is financially motivated.
“So I made the petition, I know how everyone else is feeling, and people need something to rally about, it’s so people know that everyone is thinking the same thing.
“Right now we haven’t had a response, staff are aware of the petition.”
They added: “I don’t want the school run for profit like this but this is playing with people’s education and people’s livelihoods.”
Many of those who signed the petition also had something to say on the matter. Posting publicly on the page, Tony Unwin said: “It’s essential that both schools retain their own identity. Many years of tradition would be lost.”
Sally Rees said: “We specifically chose Bablake over King Henrys. The history of the school, the feel of it, the staff, the name, the logo, the houses...all were reasons we felt the school was perfect for our daughter and shortly, our son too. ‘Coventry School is a terrible name with no acknowledgement of the incredible history and reputation of Bablake and is an appalling choice. We are mortified at the news and the lack of consultation during an already incredibly tough year.”
Alasdair Reed said: “Bablake is amongst the oldest schools in the country - 700 years in a few years time. How can you trash this tradition without consultation.”
John Pritchard said: “As an ex pupil of Bablake I believe this to not be in the best interests of the school.”
The fee paying schools, with a combined history of 1,150 years in the city, are part of Coventry School Foundation, who have hailed the move as a “strategic and ambitious plan for the future”.
The Foundation have said that the Bablake and King Henry VIII names will be preserved, with pupils aged 4 to 11 based at the Coventry School prep campus at the King Henry VIII site, and senior pupils (aged 11 to 18) based at the Coventry School senior campus at the Bablake site. Nursery pupils (aged 3) will be based at The Grange.
Jacqui Hammond, Director of
Finance and Operations for the Coventry School Foundation, said: “As we continue to share details of the new Coventry School I’m convinced that both current and prospective families will recognise it as a fantastic opportunity. We’re offering more of what we do best to every child, underpinned by high academic standards and at an affordable cost.”
The new school will open in September 2021 with the merger due to be completed by September 2022.
According to a timeline on the Coventry School website, change will be coming soon.
A new school logo will be developed in November, and a new principal will be appointed in December.
Doors will plan to open in September 2021, with the final transitions completed by September 2022.
Coventry School Foundation were approached about the petition but gave no further comment.