Welcome to the latest edition of The Coventrian.
What a brilliant term it has been at King Henry’s, filled with creativity, energy and achievement across every corner of school life.
From the bold expression of Culture Day to the innovation of our robotics teams reaching both national and global stages, this has been a season of standout success.
Our senior netballers thrilled us with an amazing comeback in their showcase game at the University of Warwick, our geographers impressed at prestigious competitions and the Art and Music Departments continued to inspire -
Heads of School
Congratulations to our new Heads of School for 2025.
Heads of School:
Lauren and Polly
Deputy Heads of School:
Nanaki and Fred
We are delighted to announce our new Heads of School for the next academic year. The Heads of School meet with Mr Dearden every Friday morning to discuss pupil-related matters ranging from wellbeing to inclusion, ensuring that student voices are heard and supported.
Thank you to our outgoing Heads of School team for their dedication over the last 12 months.
with pupils gaining places at leading institutions and producing award-winning work. And what can I say about Legally Blonde? Without doubt, one of the greatest musicals Henry’s has ever staged - delivered with such professionalism, flair and joy by our student cast, crew and musicians. It was a truly unforgettable production.
In the Junior School, our pupils dazzled in Stars in your Eyes, showcasing impressive confidence and talent at such a young age. Equally, from curriculum-linked adventures like the Blackwell residential to performances full of colour and character, the children continue to embrace every opportunity with enthusiasm and pride.
As I reflect on my final weeks as Head, I do so with a deep sense of pride in all that has been achieved. It has been a privilege to lead a school so alive with spirit, creativity and ambition. I leave confident that King Henry VIII School’s future is in safe, passionate hands.
Mr Philip Dearden, Headmaster
Celebrating Culture
by Sara, Lower Sixth
Culture Day was an incredible celebration of diversity, and we were so proud to be part of bringing it to life.
As pupils gathered in the morning, Maiya in Lower Sixth, welcomed everyone into the hall with powerful Dhol drum playing, setting an energetic and joyful tone for the day. Together, we choreographed six dances and performed them during assembly, right after heartfelt speeches from pupils on cultural stereotypes that encouraged reflection and unity.
We made sure to include as many cultures as possible in our dances: Lauren graceful Spanish routine, Maiya brought the energy with a vibrant Punjabi piece, Sara performed a flowing belly dance and Gabby brought everyone together with an uplifting African dance. What made it even more meaningful was that we all learnt each other’s dances. Sharing styles, stories and traditions helped us connect more deeply and celebrate each other’s identities.
Later, we hosted a cultural runway where each participant had their moment to shine. As pupils walked across the stage in their traditional clothing, music played in the background while a short commentary celebrated their heritage. We created a playlist of songs from over 40 countries
to make the experience as inclusive as possible.
During break, teachers and pupils came together to run a chai stand with homemade treats, which added a warm, communal atmosphere. A photo booth allowed pupils to capture memories in their cultural dress, rounding off a day full of joy, pride and meaning.
Culture Day was a powerful reminder of everything we stand for. At Henry’s, diversity, understanding, celebration and equity are more than just values - we strive every day to ensure every pupil feels seen, respected and proud of who they are.
Faith, Food and Fellowship
At Henry’s, we believe in celebrating the diverse traditions that make up our community. We were honoured to host a special Iftar event, welcoming those observing Ramadan to break their fast with us. The evening was filled with delicious food, joyful conversation and a true sense of togetherness.
We are grateful for the opportunity to learn and celebrate alongside our community members.
Two of our senior teams qualified for the UK National Finals in March after excellent performances throughout the season.
1408C ‘Caution’ (Aaron, Edwin, Guillaume, Isaac, Jack) started strongly with six wins from eight on day one, followed by four victories on day two, finishing 8th in the qualifiers. They reached the National Quarter Finals, a fantastic achievement, with particular strength in autonomous coding and driving.
1408H ‘Hyper’ (Aadi, Dominic, Krish, Nicholas, Yuvraj), in their first senior season, showed great resilience after a tough start, bouncing back to reach the Quarter Finals They were also awarded the Sportsmanship Award, their first national trophy.
In the IQ division, four teams represented the school. Year 7 teams 1408T ‘TwoHundredIQ’ and 1408N ‘Nanobot’ placed 8th and 11th nationally in the skills challenge - a brilliant debut season. Year 8’s 1408A ‘Ambition’ (Jed, Rishab, Sid) showed determination, just missing a top 20 finish while maintaining great team spirit.
A fantastic weekend of robotics success across the board.
Junior Robotics Earns Global Recognition at VEX World Finals
After an outstanding season, 1408K ‘Kronos’ (Gabriel, Yousuf, Arjun, Seth, Adam) arrived at the National Finals as one of the top contenders. A strong run of qualification matches secured them a place in the top finals pairing. Unfortunately, a connection issue in their final match saw them slip down the leaderboard.
However, their journey didn’t end there. Thanks to an exceptional Engineering Notebook and a detailed, welldelivered interview, the Year 8 and 9 team was awarded the prestigious Innovate Award for their creative technical solution - earning them a place at the VEX World Finals in Dallas, Texas
At the World Finals, Team Kronos proudly represented both the UK and King Henry VIII School. They finished in the top 50 globally and achieved a phenomenal new personal best of 277, smashing their previous high score of 82 from Nationals.
A brilliant result for a brilliant team.
House Report
In one of the longest Spring terms in recent memory, House competitions went from the much needed warmth of the swimming pool in early January to the sunbaked field in April for House Cross Country. The Junior Boys continued Holland’s winning streak with water polo and then Hales’ won the swimming.
Sherwyn’s have found the events this term more challenging although their Year 7 boys picked up wins in football and the spelling bee.
The biggest event of the term was House Darts where a packed Burgess Hall saw Lucy, Upper Sixth, triumph for Hales’ with some precision throwing.
The term finished with House Cross Country. White’s had been propping up the Band Trophy standings but a Super Monday of running saw them win ten of the twelve races and rocket up the table. It was great to see so many pupils running in what is now a voluntary event.
Thanks must go to the Upper Sixth who have been an outstanding year group in terms of commitment to House events. There are far too many of them to name here but it is noticeable that those who have taken part for their House time after time are those who are predicted the highest grades at A Level. There’s a huge connection between academic success and co-curricular involvement and we would encourage some of the year groups lower down the school to get more involved.
Huge congratulations to Upper Sixth students Lucy, Izzy, Aneesa and Sydney, who were awarded House contribution trophies for their fantastic efforts!
Walk Around the World
On the hottest day of the year so far, all our pupils came together for a sponsored walk supporting ‘Cash for Kids Walk Around the World’. All four Houses joined forces to raise money that will help provide school meals for vulnerable children during the holidays.
Spring Adventures in Geography
As the days grow longer, our Geography pupils have emerged from their winter classroom routines to engage with the world around them - applying their classroom knowledge to realworld environments and gaining invaluable experiences in the process.
Year
7
Exploring Farm Diversification
Year 7 pupils have been studying farming as part of their curriculum and to further their understanding of farm diversification and the operations of a mixed farm in the UK, they visited Hatton Country World for an engaging learning experience. Following an informative presentation by the farm team, pupils embarked on a guided tour of the facilities. The group then enjoyed a picnic lunch before engaging in hands-on activities, including feeding goats and sheep, holding guinea pigs and interacting with snakes and a bearded dragon. The day concluded with some fun on the trampolines and mini zip wire.
Heritage Open Day
Year 8 River Studies
Having studied river systems last term, Year 8 enjoyed a field trip to Finham Brook, located next to the historic Kenilworth Castle. With favourable weather conditions and safe river levels, pupils measured the width, depth, velocity and sediment load of the river. Equipped with the same tools used by GCSE pupils, this fieldwork marked their first experience with the kind of data collection and analysis that will be integral to their studies in later years.
Young Explorers at the GA 2025 Geography World Wise Quiz
This year’s historical guided tour of the school for Heritage Open Day in September was an outstanding success.
We were delighted to welcome many visitors, who were captivated by the fascinating history of the school. Our expert guides, Rob Phillips and Peter Huxford, brought the past to life with
In March, 11 of our most dedicated Geography pupils travelled to Magdalen College School in Oxford to compete in the prestigious GA 2025 Geography World Wise Quiz, widely regarded as the largest competition of its kind in the UK. The Year 7 teams participated in the Junior competition and the Year 8 and 9 teams competed in the Senior event against pupils from Years 9 and 10.
We look forward to welcoming even more
The quiz featured a diverse range of rounds, including More or Less - where pupils were asked to determine which was taller, the world’s highest waterfall or the tallest building - as well as traditional rounds on country outlines, capital cities and Ordnance Survey maps. There were also decisionmaking scenarios, such as evaluating the need for a second runway at Gatwick Airport.
Our Year 7 girls’ triumphed in the More or Less round, winning Easter eggs and finishing 23rd overall out of 34 teams. The Year 7 boys’ also performed admirably, securing 19th place. Despite competing against older pupils, the Year 8 team finished an impressive 9th out of 30 teams, while the Year 9 team emerged victorious in the decision-making exercise, with the judges commending their “excellent response.” They went on to secure an outstanding 2nd place overall.
Over three nights, around 100 pupils from across all years lit up the Burgess Hall stage with a fantastic production that, as you would expect, was very pink!
Staging a production of this scale is no small feat, but the talent and dedication of our cast, band, crew and staff made it a memorable success. A big thank you to everyone involved.
“I had so much fun rehearsing. The music is so energetic and the dancing and singing has definitely kept me in shape. Legally Blonde was the perfect show for me to end my journey at King Henry’s.”
ANDREYA (UPPER SIXTH)
“Legally Blonde has been an amazing experience for me. I’ve participated in all the shows since Year 8 all of which were spectacular. I’ve had so much fun in rehearsals from learning the choreography to singing and acting.”
choreography
ANUREET (YEAR 11)
Music, Musicals and More!
It has been a busy term for music and the performing arts with productions, concerts and trips galore.
This term started with the ensemble part of the Year 7 Instrumental Scheme. All our Year 7 pupils joined one of our groups (woodwind, strings, brass and percussion) and rehearsed each week before performing in the Spring Concert in April.
Year 9 went to see Hairspray at the Wolverhampton Grand, our whole Year 7 trip heard the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Symphony Hall and our Sixth Formers went to London to hear English National Opera’s new production of The Marriage of Figaro.
While those events were happening, we were also rehearsing Legally Blonde, our most ambitious production yet in both musical and technical terms. It was remarkable to have pupils make up the entire cast and nearly the whole band. Their commitment and talent resulted in a truly outstanding series of performances.
We also staged a wonderful show from Years 2 and 3, and held Teatime Soloists Concerts highlighting the talent and enthusiasm of our younger performers.
We held two Spring Concerts, starting with the Junior School, where the whole school sang Amarillo, Don’t Look Back in Anger and Wake Me Up, alongside performances by the Junior Chamber Choir, Rock Band and Percussion Group.
The Senior School Spring Concert featured Year 7 groups and standout performances from various choirs, bands and ensembles, with the Sax Ensemble impressing with their precision.
In the classroom we have worked towards the completion of coursework in our exam years. Some excellent compositions and performances at both GCSE and A Level have capped a strong year for both Years 11 and Upper Sixth.
Mr Robin Newton, Director of Music
ART
in Action
The Art Department has seen fantastic creativity across all year groups, with pupils exploring a rich variety of artists, materials and techniques.
Year 7
created beautiful Gaudí-inspired watercolour tiles and expressive animal portraits using mark-making and music therapy.
Year 9
explored nautical collage work, drawing from the bold, colourful style of Peter Clarke.
Year 8
focused on multimedia composition, combining photography with typography, ink and watercolours, inspired by Tommy Kane.
Year 10
Photography pupils completed independent coursework, experimenting with landscape, portraiture and macro techniques.
Year 11 completed their GCSE portfolios with dedication ahead of their final exams.
Lower Sixth showcased a range of styles - from oil painting to photorealistic drawing - while building their coursework.
Upper Sixth prepared for their final assessments with commitment, attending workshops and using every opportunity to refine their work.
Coventry Open Exhibition
Six pupils had their artwork featured in the Coventry Open Exhibition at the Herbert Gallery. With over 1,000 entries and only 125 selected, this was a great opportunity for the pupils to exhibit their work alongside professional and local artists.
The exhibition created an exciting atmosphere as the pupils saw their hard work displayed in a public setting. Rebecca and Yasmin received high commendations from the judging panel for their impressive pieces.
Forest Fun
The children continue to enjoy their Forest Fun sessions, held regularly within our beautiful school grounds. These all-weather sessions provide the children with invaluable opportunities to explore nature, deepening their understanding of the natural world around them. The children used natural materials to create dens for bears to hibernate in, demonstrating impressive imagination and creativity. We also collected stones from the environment and transformed them into beautifully decorated pieces of art. The children have also taken part in nature walks, during which they eagerly searched for signs of the season such as birds, blossoms, flowers and budding plants.
Reception
Year of the Snake
In January we came together to celebrate the vibrant traditions of Chinese New Year.
The children explored the symbolism of the snake through creative crafts and practised traditional Chinese calligraphy. They also took part in a dynamic dragon dance, which brought excitement and energy to the festivities.
A highlight of the celebration was making and tasting their own noodles, giving the children a fun introduction to a traditional aspect of Chinese culture.
Year 1
A Day in Victorian Times
To support their learning about Victorian life, Year 1 visited St John’s Museum in Warwick for a hands-on experience.
The children took part in a Victorian school lesson, helped in the laundry room and explored family life in both rich and poor households. Through dressing up, role play and practical tasks like washing clothes with a dolly and mangle, they gained a real sense of what life was like in the Victorian era.
Mother’s Day Celebrations
Mother’s Day at the Pre-Prep was a lovely occasion, giving children the chance to reflect on the tradition’s history and how it has grown to celebrate all maternal figures.
The children enjoyed a special assembly with their mums, where they sang songs and confidently shared what they love most about them.
A World of Stories
World Book Day was a great opportunity for our youngest pupils to celebrate books and reading
The children (and staff ) came to school dressed as their favourite book characters, with a wide variety of creative costumes on display.
Throughout the day, they took part in fun activities like sharing stories with other year groups and talking about their favourite characters. It was a wonderful day filled with laughter and excitement, and the children thoroughly enjoyed exploring the world of books in their own special way.
ST RS in their EYES
This year’s Stars in Their Eyes was a great success, showcasing performances from our talented pupils.
From tributes to Madonna, The Greatest Showman and The Wizard of Oz, each act brought something totally unique to the stage. Whether singing or dancing, our pupils delivered confident and engaging performances, with the audience actively involved in voting for their favourite act. The evening highlighted not only individual talent but also the enthusiasm and effort that went into preparing for the show.
Congratulations to Dolly from Sherwyn’s House, who was named this year’s winner with her impressive rendition of Miley Cyrus. It was a strong performance and a well-earned win.
Thank you to all pupils and families who supported the event. We look forward to seeing what next year brings.
Scheherazade Shines on Stage
Pupils from Years 2 and 3 delivered an excellent performance of Scheherazade, delighting audiences with their talent and hard work.
The show brought to life classic tales such as Ali Baba and The Fisherman’s Story, skilfully woven into the overarching narrative of Scheherazade. A particular highlight was the transformation of the stern Sultan, which left the audience with a warm, uplifting conclusion.
The colourful costumes and enthusiastic performances helped transport the audience into the magical world of Arabian Nights Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this production to life.
An Awesome Adventure at Blackwell
The Year 3 residential to Blackwell Adventure was, in the words of the children, ‘awesome’! The days were packed with activities, including Junior Tree Trek, Indoor Climbing, Crate Stack, Wide Games, Laser Tag, Multi Scramble, Archery, Grass Sledging, Camp Fire, Fan Descender, Team Challenge and the huge Dual Zip Wire.
The Fan Descender was a great challenge with children climbing and then floating gently down; some decided they were angels.
Mr Clarke, as always, enjoyed the Laser Tag and all the children were briefed to ‘get him’!
Pupils Step Back in Time
Year 6 pupils enjoyed a unique opportunity to step into the past during a special visit to the Senior School, where they took part in Food Technology lessons.
As part of their exploration of World War II history, the pupils dipped into the culinary traditions of the era, preparing classic wartime recipes such as tapioca pudding, strawberry snow and syrup sponge cake. These dishes were created using simple, rationingfriendly ingredients, giving them an insight into the challenges and creativity of cooking during the war years.
Bright Futures with Top Employers
Degree apprenticeships offer a valuable alternative to university, combining paid work, industry experience and a degree without student debt. After months of preparation, Will, Ben and Sean have secured competitive roles with top UK employers: Will at GSK (Chemical Process Engineering), Ben at National Grid (Data Analysis) and Sean at Balfour Beatty (Civil Engineering). A brilliant achievement that reflects their hard work and professionalism.
Success for Future Medics
What an outstanding achievement to have 14 medical school offers this year, reflecting the dedication and ambition of our students. Offers include top universities such as Newcastle, Nottingham, Leeds and Imperial.
Headmaster Mr Dearden praised their resilience and academic excellence, calling it “one of the most competitive challenges our students can take on.”
Congratulations to Sana, Rohan, Silvia, Aaryan, Jasmine, Avnish and Ameze, your success has made the whole school proud.
Preparing for the Future
Led by Mrs Pike, the Medical Society meets weekly and supports Lower Sixth students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science and Pharmacy. Sessions cover university requirements, application planning and course options. This year’s highlights included talks from alumni and NHS professionals like Dr Sharon Virk and Dr Jasmine Momoh, offering real-world insight. Upper Sixth students also took part in mock MMIs, UCAT prep and role play to build their confidence and interview skills.
Sara’s Volunteering Journey
Lower Sixth student Sara shared how volunteering at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire transformed her view of healthcare. Once focused solely on the science, she discovered the deep emotional side of patient care, from comforting a cancer patient to encouraging a recovering young chef. The experience helped her build communication skills, process grief and realise that kindness and presence matter more than perfection but about showing up with kindness and listening.
Insight and Impact
Lower Sixth students prepared and delivered a wonderful set of presentations at the Extended Project Qualification Evening, each researching a topic of their choice and reaching a debated and balanced conclusion. Research topics included French Law, Nuclear Waste Disposal, Feminism in the Media, Electric Vehicles, AI and Political Satire. Parents were hugely impressed with the variety and quality of work on display with one commenting that the work compared well to some PhD presentations, high praise indeed.
A Fond Farewell
Upper Sixth came together for an enjoyable Leavers’ Day, marking the end of their time at school and celebrating their shared experiences. The day included a fun sports day with creative fancy dress, capturing the group’s spirit and camaraderie. A special moment was the presentation of the Good Fellowship Cup to Freya, recognising her consistent kindness and positive presence in school life. The celebrations ended with a friendly, yet competitive staff vs students rounders match.
Muddy Runners
The 53rd King Henry VIII School Relay Race took place in Coventry’s War Memorial Park in January, welcoming 52 boys’ teams and a record 42 girls’ teams.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the girls’ race, with New Hall School securing a dominant win in 54:29. In the boys’ race, Ermysted’s Grammar School claimed victory in 1:13:17, just ahead of The Judd School.
Heavy mud on the course added to the challenge, but runners showed impressive resilience.
Special guest Seyi Olofinjana, former Premier League footballer, presented prizes and spoke about the value of running across all sports. With growing participation and rising standards, the event looks set to continue thriving in 2026.
Owens Shield 1st Netball Success
1st VII Netball Win 40-36
What a game! In a fiercely contested match where the lead changed hands multiple times, the team showed incredible preparation, determination and belief to pull ahead in the final moments and secure a four-goal win. Huge congratulations to the whole squad for their superb performance and team spirit.
U13 VII Curtain Raiser Draw 16-16
Our U13s kicked off the evening with a tightly contested match, showing great progress and composure alongside our talented U12s. In a goal-for-goal battle, the girls overcame nerves to secure a hard-fought 16-16 draw which felt like a win!
Netball Thrives Through Participation and Performance
All pupils in Years 7 - 10 have played in a competitive fixture this term and the senior girls have had four senior teams for the first time in recent years. We pride ourselves on the balance between opportunity for all during Games and the opportunity to progress and challenge for those that come training.
This is beautifully recognised through our successes in the Coventry Schools Netball Tournaments:
WINNERS: U19, U15A, U13B, U12A, U12B
RUNNERS-UP: U16, U15B, U14
Our U14s were our highest placed ‘Sisters N Sport’ team, making it through to the National Quarter Finals of the Shield.
Boys’ Sport
This season has been an exciting and rewarding one for boys’ hockey across all age groups, marked by commitment, skill and plenty of memorable performances.
U12 Hockey
The U12 boys have made an impressive start to secondary hockey, finishing runners-up in the County Tournament after a tense final. Zak stood out in goal, supported by a solid defence and sharp attacking play. Across all teams, the year group showed great promise, with a clean sweep against Bablake a season highlight. Their progress has been a joy to watch and sets a strong foundation for future seasons.
U13 Hockey
The U13 A and B teams have enjoyed a strong season, showing commitment, teamwork and progress. The B team impressed with a comeback win over KES, while the A team produced a gritty victory against Nottingham High and pushed top sides close in narrow defeats. Standout players included Karam (top scorer), Kai (captain) and key B team contributors Ryan, Haroon and Jay.
U14 Hockey
Congratulations to the U14s, who reached the Tier 2 Midlands Finals after an emphatic 6–0 victory over Princethorpe in the group stages. Finals Day at Rugby School saw them finish 6th overall, including a strong 2–1 win over Nottingham High. It was a fantastic campaign and the players should be proud of their progress and achievements.
U15 Hockey
The U15s have had a hugely positive season, with several players experiencing 11-a-side hockey for the first time. They showed unity and determination throughout, competing fiercely in every match. Will, Ben and Diyan were dominant in midfield, disrupting opposition play effectively, while Tom, Henry and Harvey combined brilliantly down the right flank to generate consistent attacking threats. The future looks bright for this hardworking and skilful group.
Senior Hockey
This season saw highs and lows for the senior hockey team, with standout performances against Princethorpe and QMGS. Despite tough matches against strong sides like KES Stratford and Bablake, the squad’s talent shone through. Younger players such as Rishi, Sam and Lewis made strong debuts in the 1st XI, while departing seniors Oli, Sim and Avnish leave behind a legacy of commitment and leadership. With many players set to return, the team is wellplaced to push for Midlands qualification next year.
Senior Sports Dinner 2025
Over 90 guests gathered for a fantastic evening celebrating the achievements of our senior sports teams. Speeches from Mr Fitt, team captains, coaches and Mr Dearden reflected on highlights, shared stories and honoured key players.
Top awards went to Oliver, named Senior Sportsman of the Year for his dedication across rugby and hockey, and to Ameze, Senior Sportswoman of the Year, recognised for her commitment to netball and success with the U19 Birmingham Panthers.
Thanks to our senior captains for their leadership, and to all pupils for their teamwork and lasting contributions to sport at King Henry’s.
Bringing Roman Theatre to Life
Year 7 Latinists have been diving into the fascinating world of ancient Pompeii, learning about different forms of entertainment including the theatre and amphitheatre.
As part of their studies on the theatre, pupils learned how performances were a central part of Roman life and how actors used exaggerated masks to express emotions and characters. Inspired by this, pupils designed their own theatrical masks, combining creative artwork with what they had learned about Roman drama.
The school was full of energy and engagement as pupils and staff marked International Women’s Day.
The week began with a thought-provoking assembly on bias and how we can all contribute to equality and equity.
Pupils took part in educational sessions and activities highlighting women’s contributions, while the Wellbeing Centre hosted mindfulness sessions for reflection and mental health awareness. Purple ribbons were worn throughout the week as a symbol of support and staff dressed in purple on Friday to show their solidarity.
Postcards with Purpose
At the beginning of term, we were fortunate to have a visit from the Cameron Grant Memorial Trust who delivered an inspiring talk on mental health.
This visit sparked an arts competition inviting pupils to design wellbeing-themed postcards with the winning designs being considered for national distribution by the Trust.
We have been truly moved by the creativity and compassion shown in the entries. The standard of work has been exceptional and a selection of the designs will be printed as school postcards to help promote wellbeing and support within our own community.
