King Henry VIII Preparatory School
Swallows Campus, Kenilworth Road, Coventry, CV3 6PT
T: 024 7627 1307 E: [email protected] W: www.khps.co.uk
February 2017,
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for showing interest in the vacancy for Business Manager at King Henry VIII Preparatory
School. After ten years of service, the current post holder will be beginning a well-earned retirement
and will leave behind a highly skilled and well-motivated team working across two campuses. I am
truly appreciative of the time and thought you will give to considering your application and hope that
you find the information enclosed useful.
The school was inspected in February 2016, achieving ‘Excellent’ in all aspects, and is now seeking
to ensure that our practice in all areas is maintained at this high standard. We believe that school
development is best managed through a collegiate approach where all staff are tightly aligned to the
same vision and are committed to continuous improvement. At ‘KHPS’, achieving an excellent
academic, social and emotional outcome for each child is central to our mission and our
administrative team work closely with teachers to achieve this aim. If you can contribute positively to
change; strive for continued excellence; and be a model of outstanding professional practice in your
own work then this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
I look forward to receiving your applications and to meeting you in person.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Gill Bowser
Headteacher
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KING HENRY VIII PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Business Manager
An Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Selective Co-Educational Day School for
children from 3 years to 11 years of age.
http://khps.co.uk/
http://www.coventryschoolfoundation.org/
Dates: Apply by Friday 3rd March 2017, Job Start – Summer Term 2017
Location: Coventry, West Midlands
Contract type: Full time
Contract term: Permanent
King Henry VIII Preparatory School (KHPS) is one of the leading independent schools in the West
Midlands with a pupil roll of over 500 pupils. The school was inspected in February 2016 and found
to be ‘excellent’ in all aspects of its work. Set over two well-equipped campuses in the south of the
city of Coventry, KHPS is a four form of entry school and is the feeder for King Henry VIII Senior
School which was founded in 1545.
There are two deputy Headteachers who are responsible for the day to day running of either
Swallows (Nursery to Year 3) or Hales (Years 4 to 6) campus.
We are seeking to appoint an exceptional Business Manager with the necessary interpersonal skills
to contribute positively within the school leadership team and oversee the work of the non-teaching
support staff.
King Henry VIII Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding children and promoting the
welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure
that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates
will be subject to DBS checks and other relevant employment checks.
Closing Date for Applications: 9am - Friday 3rd March 2017
Shortlisting: Friday 3rd March 2017
Interviews: Wednesday 8th or Thursday 9th March 2017
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KING HENRY VIII PREPARATORY SCHOOL
An Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Selective Co-Educational Day School for
children from 3 years to 11 years of age.
http://khps.co.uk/
http://www.coventryschoolfoundation.org/
King Henry VIII Preparatory School (KHPS) is one of the leading independent schools in the West
Midlands with a pupil roll of over 500 pupils.
Child Protection
The Coventry School Foundation (The Foundation) and its constituent schools is committed to
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this
commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the
post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
History and Location
KHPS is based on 2 campuses to the south of the city of Coventry. Swallows, for children aged 3
years to 7 years of age, is based on a beautiful self-contained campus opposite the War Memorial
Park; Hales, for children aged 7 years to 11 years of age, has its own campus within the Senior
School site, opposite Coventry station. Both Hales and Swallows have a range of superb specialist
teaching facilities. KHPS is the feeder school of King Henry VIII Senior School, a former direct grant
grammar school which educates students aged 11 years to 18 years of age and is a member of the
Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC)
King Henry VIII School was founded in 1545 and has been on its present site since 1885. King
Henry VIII Junior School was established in 1884 and moved into a new purpose built building in
1997. The Reverend Kenelm Swallow founded Coventry Preparatory School in 1920 for boys aged
3 years to 13 years of age. King Henry Junior School and Coventry Preparatory School merged in
2008 to form King Henry VIII Preparatory School.
Facilities
The accommodation is spread over the 2 sites, Swallows Campus and Hales Campus. The Hales
campus includes spacious classrooms, a large Library, an Art and Design Technology Room, a
specially equipped Science Room and networked ICT Rooms.
There is a Music Suite comprising a large teaching room, 7 practice rooms including a large
percussion room. There is also a large Hall for assemblies, PE, Drama and extra-curricular activities.
A modern 25 metre swimming pool and a significant range of other sporting facilities are shared with
the Senior School.
The Swallows Campus is
situated on its own very
attractive site of some 3.5
acres in a quiet conservation
area. Swallows has its own
specialist Art, ICT and Music
rooms, an Early Years
Centre constructed in 2008,
a swimming pool, and
excellent outdoor areas.
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Administration and Site Management
The Headteacher is responsible for the strategic direction of the school as well as the day to day
personnel administration. The Headteacher reports to the Governors and attends the main
committees. There are strong links between the Headteachers of the Preparatory and Senior
School. The two Deputy Headteachers are responsible for the day to day running of each campus.
Senior Management Structure and Staff
From September 2016 the Senior Management Team
of KHPS will be comprised of the Headteacher, two
Deputy Headteachers (each with responsibility for the
day-today running of either Swallows or Hales), a
Director of Studies (based on the Hales Campus), the
School Business Manager and an Assistant
Headteacher (based on the Swallows Campus).
Altogether there are some 67 Full Time Equivalent
members of staff and a number of support staff shared
with the Senior School.
Entry
Entry to KHPS is by competitive examination from Year 3. In Early Years First Stage (EYFS) children
are screened before they come to the school to ensure they have the necessary maturity and
aptitudes. In Years 1 and 2 children have to attend a ‘Taster Day’ when an experienced teacher will
assess their academic potential.
Pupil Numbers and Classes
There are presently 500 children on roll at KHPS, with 280 pupils at Swallows and 220 pupils at
Hales. There are four classes in each year group Reception to Year 6. The maximum class size at
Swallows is 16 children and at Hales 20 children. There is also a Nursery for 40 children of 3 years
to 4 years of age. From September 2017, Year 3 children will be taught on the Hales Campus.
The School Day
The school day runs from 8.50am until 3.30pm for its youngest pupils and between 8.40am and
3.45pm for its older pupils. There are three timetables designed to meet the needs of children of
different ages: Reception and Year 1; Years 2 and 3; Years 4 to 6. For the older children there are
5 teaching periods of 60 minutes: 3 before and 2 after lunch. Lunch runs between 11.45am and
1.30pm, with sittings dependent on the site and age of the pupils. For Swallows children there are
both morning and afternoon breaks but at Hales there is no afternoon break. Before Care is available
from 7.45am and After Care is available between 3.30pm and 6.00pm.
Holiday care is available 8.00am – 5.30pm for all children aged from 3 years to 11 years of age
throughout every holiday, including half terms.
The Curriculum
The School has claimed exemption from the EYFS to enable its curriculum for children in Nursery
and Reception to be carefully tailored to the needs of each cohort of children. The following subjects
are taught to children aged 5 years and upwards: English, Mathematics, Science, Art & Design,
Computing, French, Geography, History, Music, PHSE, Religious Education, Physical Education,
Swimming and Games. Information and Communication Technology is also used in most subjects.
Children are expected to do homework and read every night (30 minutes in Year 3 building up to 1
hour in Year 6) and this is monitored daily by means of a homework diary.
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Heads of Year and Subject Leaders are central to the delivery of the curriculum in all year groups.
However, there is a progressive introduction of subject specialist teaching which increases
throughout the school. The majority of full time staff teach around 20 lessons of 60 minutes duration
out of 25 lessons in a week.
KHPS operates a “Guaranteed Place” system at the end of Year 5 into Year 7, with the majority of
children from KHPS entering the Senior School.
Art, Drama, and Music
Art is seen as important throughout the school and standards are high. Two Art scholarships are
routinely won into the Senior School. The School holds its own Art Exhibition every May.
The Performing Arts are outstanding at the School. There is a year group performance involving
every child in each year, produced annually, and a host of other performance opportunities. The
School has its own Director of Performing Arts. LAMDA is also an extra-curricular activity.
Pupils receive specialist Music teachers for curriculum lessons from Nursery upwards. There is a
large range of choirs and instrumental ensembles available to pupils and many opportunities to
perform in public. Singing at the School is particularly strong. The School’s annual carol service is
in Coventry Cathedral and there is a major spring concert annually. The School’s senior choir, King
Hal’s, tours Austria biennially.
Sport
A Director of Sport leads the sports departments. Sport plays an important role in the life of KHPS.
Children in Reception to Year 3 receive 3 hours of sports teaching within the curriculum each week,
which includes PE, Swimming and Games. Games is single sex from Year 3 with Rugby, Netball,
Football, Rounders and Cricket being the main sports. The School is particularly strong in Rugby
and Netball. Inter-school matches are played from Year 3, with a healthy programme of Saturday
morning sports for children aged from 5 years to 11 years of age.
Clubs and Extra-Curricular
All teachers are expected to lead extra-curricular
clubs in addition to which there are clubs led by
specialists from outside the School. Most clubs
take place after school between 4.00pm and
5.00pm. Examples include Karate, Bollywood
Dance, Ballet, LAMDA, Enrichment English,
Enrichment Mathematics, Robotics, Drama, Art,
Lego, Puzzles, Victorian crafts, French Dance,
iPad Apps club, Punjabi, Archaeology and also
squad practices and music ensembles.
Learning Support
Our Learning Support provision will be headed by a senior teacher on each campus who may at
times give assistance to pupils with learning difficulties in small groups. Importantly they will coordinate the support staff and provide advice and guidance to Year Team leaders and teaching staff.
Children, who require additional support for Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia, are supported most
efficiently and sympathetically through this Specialist provision. The Learning Support department
also provides additional assistance to children for whom English is a second language.
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Conduct
Although emphasis is placed on academic studies and the acquisition of sound basic skills, great
importance is attached to honesty, good manners and discipline and an awareness of the needs of
others. The school expects, and actively encourages, each child to achieve a high standard of
conduct at all times.
Parents’ Association
There is a thriving Parents’ Association group
which provides a vital link between home,
parents and teachers. The principal objectives
are to encourage co-operation and to organise
fund raising activities.
Bursary and Scholarships
Bursaries and Scholarships are available from
the age of 7 years.
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COVENTRY SCHOOL FOUNDATION – AN OVERVIEW
History
The Foundation came into existence in 1975 when Bablake School (founded in 1344) and King
Henry VIII School (founded in 1545) were joined under the Foundation Commissioners' Scheme of
4 December 1975. Coventry Preparatory School (founded 1920) was purchased in 1992 and
became part of the Foundation. As at 1 September 2007 Cheshunt School became part of the
Foundation. In 2008 King Henry VIII Preparatory School was created through the merger of Coventry
Preparatory School (current Swallows Campus) and King Henry VIII Junior School (current Hales
Campus).
Present Configuration
The Foundation now consists of 4 schools on 4 sites providing education for around 2400 pupils.
The schools are; Bablake Senior School, King Henry VIII Senior School, Bablake Junior School and
Pre-Prep, King Henry VIII Preparatory School. King Henry VIII Preparatory School is on two sites,
Hales (co-located with the senior school) and Swallows. Under Statutory Instrument 2004 Number
1378, each school is designated as having a religious character.
Foundation Strategy and Business Plan
The Foundation's overall objective is to be recognised throughout England as an outstanding
provider of education for pupils from 3 years to 18 years of age. The Foundation Strategy & Business
plan is updated annually agreed by the Finance & General Purposes Committee and is formally
adopted by the Governing Body. The document, prepared by the Bursar, sets out the assumptions
on which the plan is based, the financial framework, the strategic objectives and the management
objects of the Foundation as a whole. The plan covers a rolling 7-year forward view and includes
capital investment programmes and priorities for each school.
Structure of Governance
The Governor trustees are elected and appointed under the terms of the Scheme and are
responsible for overseeing the management of the Foundation. Each Headteacher is entirely
responsible to the Governors for the day to day running of his or her school supported on
administrative and financial matters by the Bursar and his staff. In order to provide a focus for school
issues there is an Academic & Resources Committee, chaired by a Governor, for each of the school
sites. Foundation wide issues are dealt with by the Major Projects Committee and the Finance &
General Purposes Committee, which is attended by all Headteachers and the Bursar. The
committees meet at least once a term and report to the full meeting of Governors. Some Governors
sit on more than one committee. The full Governing Body meets at least 3 times a year; it is the
decision-making body.
Fees, Scholarships and Bursaries
The Foundation is proud of its history of providing a first class education to a wide social mix of
academically able pupils. Governors recognise that bursary support is essential in attracting pupils
from less affluent backgrounds and therefore the policy is to increase the available funds for
bursaries whilst retaining competitive fee levels. Fee levels are currently the lowest of the Warwick
Group of schools. In Academic Year 2013/14, 621 pupils received £1.89M of assistance. Of which
83% was allocated to means tested bursaries.
Foundation Office
The Foundation Office is located in Coventry within walking distance of the schools. The Bursar and
Clerk to the Governors, is responsible for the financial functions, legal issues, the estate and for the
provision of a Governors' secretariat. The Bursar attends all principal Foundation meetings and is
responsible for taking and publishing the minutes of such meetings.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
To be submitted by Friday 3rd March 2017


Covering letter outlining how your experience to date meets the requirements of the post.
Application form
Please return your completed application to:
Mrs G. Bowser BA (QTS) Hons. NPQH
Headteacher
King Henry VIII Preparatory School
Swallows Campus
Kenilworth Road
Coventry
CV3 6PT
TIMETABLE FOR THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Shortlisting – 9am Friday 3rd March 2017
Interviews – Wednesday 8th or Thursday 9th March 2017
REMUNERATION PACKAGE
A competitive salary and pension scheme will be offered.
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