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Bablake School 巴布拉克中学, 巴布拉克学校

Coundon Road, Coventry CV1 4AU
Tel: 024 7627 1200 Fax: 024 7627 1292
Website: www.bablake.com
• CO-ED, 7–18, Day
• Pupils 1000, Upper sixth 110
• Termly fees £1667–£2212
• HMC, IAPS
• Enquiries/application to the Headmaster

What it’s like
Founded in 1344 and re-founded after the dissolution of the monasteries, it moved to its present urban site in 1890. Girls were first admitted in 1975 and the school is now fully co-educational. It is set in 11 acres, approximately a mile from the city centre. During the last 30 years, the facilities have been thoroughly modernised, including new science labs, a sports hall and astroturf hockey pitches and tennis courts; most recently, the new junior school and a study centre in Normandy. The school is Christian but non-denominational and pupils from all faiths are welcome. It prides itself on being a ‘very welcoming, caring school’. Academically strong, its examination results are very good. Drama is strong, with regular productions at the Edinburgh Festival; pupils take leading parts in local amateur dramatics and youth operetta. It is particularly strong in debating and regularly competes in national competitions. The school has its own weather centre, recognised by the Met Office, and Bablake Weather is a regular feature in the local newspaper. It is very good at sport, with much success at county and regional level in cricket, hockey, netball and rugby. It participates in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and has its own CCF unit.

School profile

Pupils & entrance
Pupils: Total age range 7–18; 1000 day pupils (550 boys, 450 girls). Senior department 11–18, 850 pupils (440 boys, 410 girls).
Entrance: Main entry ages 7, 11 and 16. Own entrance exam used. No special skills or religious requirements. 60% of senior intake from state schools (70% to sixth form). 35+% from own junior (enquiries to Bablake Junior School, tel 024 7627 1260).

Scholarships, bursaries & extras Scholarships offered at 11 (mathematics, English, music and all-round); also academic and music scholarships at 16. Bursaries for pupils entering at 11 and 16. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Head & staff
Headmaster: Dr S Nuttall appointed 1991. Educated at Blackpool Grammar School and universities of Salford and Bristol (chemistry). Previously Deputy Head of Royal Grammar School, Guildford, and Head of Chemistry at Stonyhurst. Also ex-Chairman Central ISIS; member of Coventry EBP Steering Group and Industry 96 Working Group.
Teaching staff: 67 full time staff, 11 part time. Annual turnover 4%. Average age 35.

Exam results
GCSE: In 2003, 126 pupils in upper fifth. 98% gained at least grade C in 8+ subjects; 2% in 5–7 subjects. Average GCSE score 61 (66 over 5 years).
A-levels: 110 in upper sixth: all passed in 3+ subjects. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 403.

University & college entrance 98% of 2003 sixth-form leavers went on to a degree course (12% after a gap year), 10% to Oxbridge. 6% took courses in medicine, dentistry & veterinary science, 30% in science & engineering, 3% in law, 32% in humanities & social sciences, 1% in art & design, 2% in other vocational subjects eg nursing, pharmacy, 25% in other subjects eg business, computing, languages. Others typically go straight in to employment.

Curriculum GCSE, AS and A-levels. 26 AS-level subjects, 22 A-level, including general studies.
Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level (1 in contrasting subject), 3 at A-level. 45% take science A-levels; 35% arts/humanities; 20% both.
Vocational: Work experience available.
Special provision: Some help for dyslexic pupils.
Languages: French and German offered to GCSE and A-level (both compulsory for 3 years); also Italian and Spanish GCSE. Regular exchanges to France and Germany. All Year 8 pupils spend a week in a manoir in Normandy, owned by the school.
ICT: Whole school network of PCs, with e-mail and internet access. All pupils take short GCSE course in IT.

The arts
Music: Over 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestras, string and wind bands, choirs, madrigal group. Recent winner of Leamington Festival small choir competition. Regular tours to Europe.
Drama & dance: Drama and dance offered. Some pupils are involved in school productions, the majority in house/other productions. School production in Edinburgh Festival for last 14 years; pupils take leading parts in local amateur dramatics and in Coventry Youth Operetta.
Art & design: On average, 40 take GCSE, 6 A-level. Design, textiles also offered.

Sport & activities
Sport: Rugby and cricket compulsory for boys, hockey and netball for girls. Optional: hockey, cross-country, athletics, tennis, rounders. Sixth form only: golf, squash, basketball. RLSS, ASA and National Pool Life-guard exams may be taken. U19 cricket team regularly Warwickshire champions; recent national successes by U15 rugby team; regional/county success by U16 netball and girls hockey teams (U15, U18); 1 pupil national junior tennis champion.
Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Community service optional. Pupils give parties for local pensioners twice a year. Up to 30 clubs, eg Amnesty International, canoeing, trampolining, railway, chess, Christian Union.

School life
Uniform: School uniform worn; suits in the sixth form.
Houses & prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, school captain and vice captain – both Head and pupils involved in appointment. School Council.
Religion: Attendance at religious worship compulsory.
Social: Joint events with other schools include debating competitions (eg Observer Mace, Midland Debating Competition). Organised exchanges to schools in France (St Omers) and Germany (Hemer); annual ski trip (eg USA); annual rugby tour (eg Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa); girls hockey and netball tours (Australia, New Zealand, Barbados, South Africa). Pupils allowed to bring own car, bike or motorbike to school. Meals self-service. School shop. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Discipline Pupils failing to produce homework once might expect a warning that punishment would be given the next time; any pupil caught smoking cannabis on the premises could expect immediate suspension for a period of days, followed by lengths of community service and counselling.

Alumni association is run by J R Lawrence, c/o the school.

Former pupils Nick Skelton (show jumper), Robert Clift (Olympic hockey player), Sir John Egan (Chairman BAA), Donald Trelford (ex-editor, The Observer), Brian Matthew (broadcaster), Jack Parson (cricket), Sir George Turnbull (motor industry), Sir Philip Otton QC, Emma Walden (broadcaster), Darren Carnall (dancer).