This year, students completed placements across a wide range of workplaces including Farmers Fayre, Engineering companies, Pharmacies, Banks CBS - marketing department, Primary schools, Nurseries and Law firms. Experiencing such a variety of sectors allowed students to see the many different roles and career pathways available. Students had an amazing time during their placements, and it was fantastic to see them making the most of the opportunity and sharing experiences with their peers.

Students who remained in school also took part in a planned work experience programme, which included CV writing workshops, presentation skills, talks and activities from Universities (Northampton) and Colleges (WCG), and visits from organisations such as Stepnell Construction and the Police. They also attended an apprenticeship fair at the Coventry Rugby Club and visited The Albany theatre, where they learned about the many roles involved in running a theatre, from the director to sound and lighting technicians. Students even had the chance to use some of the equipment themselves, giving them a hands-on experience they are unlikely to forget.

Employers shared extremely positive feedback about the students, praising their enthusiasm, attitude and willingness to learn. It was wonderful to see students representing the school so well while gaining such valuable experiences.

Please see some of the highlights from our week of Year 10 work experience at Finham, showcasing the amazing experiences students had both on placement and in school.

Employer Feedback

Farmers Fayre

I am writing to express how impressed we have been with the students from Finham Park who have joined us for work experience placements. They have consistently demonstrated professionalism, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic, and they have been a real credit to your school.

At Farmers Fayre, we place great value on supporting young people as they gain practical workplace skills. It has been a pleasure to see how well-prepared your students are, both in their attitude and their willingness to learn often proving themselves a valuable member of the team despite being with us for a short time. Some students now have weekend jobs which is fantastic!

We are delighted to continue our involvement with your work experience programme.

Finham Primary Nursery

Isla has been fantastic during her work experience placement in our nursery. She has been proactive, punctual, and consistently friendly, quickly building lovely relationships with the children and staff alike. She approaches each day with a positive attitude, shows confidence in using her initiative, and has been a real asset to the setting. We would welcome her back in a heartbeat and have thoroughly enjoyed having her with us.

Student Feedback

Dan – enjoyed his trips to the Albany Theatre and Coventry Rugby Club – he learned how to get an apprenticeship and said that was a valuable experience.

Lara – went to a primary school and worked with nursery and reception children. She enjoyed it and learned that she would like to work in a school environment.

Record-Breaking Achievements

• The average GCSE grade is now 5.5 across all subjects, having risen by a third of a grade from last year and outperforming pupil targets. This puts the school well into the top 20% of schools nationally.
• Students achieving grades 4-9 in both English and Maths rose to 81%, showing steady improvement year on year.
• EBacc Average Point Score has also climbed to 5.3, an increase of a third of a grade from 2024, showcasing the strong performance across a broad range of subjects like English, Maths, Science, Languages and Humanities.

Headteacher, Mr Chris Bishop praised the students and staff:

“These outstanding results are a testament to the incredible work ethic and determination of our students, as well as the relentless support from our dedicated staff. Finham Park School continues to be a place where all young people, no matter their background, can thrive academically and personally. These outcomes have now opened many doors of opportunity for our young people and I wish them well on their next steps in the journey ahead.”

The end-of-year rewards event, held on the school grounds, offered a dynamic mix of high-energy thrills and inclusive activities, reflecting the school’s commitment to fun, inclusivity, and kindness. From classic adrenaline pumping rides to a spirited game of wheelchair basketball, the day brought the entire student body together in celebration.

New to this year’s festival was the addition of an Escape Room challenge, a 360-degree photo booth, and a buzzing roller disco that kept students spinning with joy. One of the biggest hits of the day was the Main Stage, which hosted the school’s first-ever Battle of the Bands. Talented student musicians showcased their skills, turning the school field into a mini Glastonbury festival.

As the sun dipped lower, excitement shifted to Finham’s first-ever “Concert on the Field”; an evening performance that capped off the day with live music, community vibes, and lasting memories.

But FinhamFest25 wasn’t just about fun, it carried a meaningful message. In a heartwarming celebration of kindness, students received a brightly coloured bracelet symbolising the school’s value of promoting kindness. These bands serve as daily reminders for students to do one small act of kindness for someone else.

By focusing on areas such as leadership, mental health, communication, and staff support, the award helps us to continue to build upon a positive and sustainable workplace culture. We will get a detailed report and access to a suite of promotional tools to publicly demonstrate our commitment to staff wellbeing and continuous improvement.

Year 6 Transition Coffee Morning - Wednesday 9 July 2025

On Wednesday, we welcomed parents and carers of incoming Year 7 students to our Year 6 SEND Coffee Morning. This session focused on how we support students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) as they transition into secondary school.

Parents met key members of the SEND team, including Jo Kovacs (Director of SEND), Deputy SENDCOs Rachael Hurton and Cat Reardon, as well as our wider pastoral and support staff. We explained how we gather information from primary schools to ensure a smooth start for every student, and shared how Pupil Passports are created to outline key strategies for supporting students.

The session also covered:

• How students are placed on the SEND register.

• Types of needs we support, including Autism Spectrum Condition, ADHD, Specific Learning Difficulties, Speech & Language needs, and more.

• Access arrangements for exams.

• How we work with external agencies such as Educational Psychology, CAMHS, and Speech & Language Services.

• Key contacts for parents if they have concerns or questions.

Parents appreciated the chance to meet the staff, ask questions, and learn about the strong network of support available at Finham Park.

Current Parent Coffee Morning - Friday 11 July 2025

Today, we welcomed current parents and carers to explore two key topics aimed at supporting students' wellbeing and progress: Energy Accounting for Autistic Fatigue and Burnout and Understanding and Managing Anxiety.

Energy Accounting and Autistic Burnout

Led by Deputy SENDCO Rachael Hurton, this session explored autistic fatigue and burnout, common challenges for autistic students. Parents learned about:

• The causes of autistic fatigue, such as sensory overload, social pressures, and masking behaviours.

• The signs of burnout, which may include meltdowns, increased sensitivity, and even physical shutdowns.

• How “Energy Accounting” can help students balance their energy by tracking what activities drain or replenish them, and adjusting their routines to avoid burnout.

Understanding and Managing Anxiety

In the second part of the morning, we focused on anxiety, a significant issue for many young people. The session covered:

• The impact of anxiety on learning, health, and relationships.

• Building a “toolkit” of strategies to manage anxiety effectively.

• The process for referrals to external services, such as CAMHS, if additional support is required.

Parents were provided with practical strategies they can try at home and reassured that our Learning Mentors and support staff are on hand to work closely with families.

Thank You

We would like to thank all the parents and carers who attended this week. Your engagement and collaboration are vital in supporting your children to thrive at Finham Park.

If you were unable to attend but would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact our SEND team or your child’s College Mentor.

This year’s festival was the biggest yet, with students competing in an incredible 27 different sports and events. From classic track and field races to football, rugby, tennis, rounders, netball, dodgeball and table tennis, there was something for everyone. More adventurous events such as rock climbing and archery proved especially popular, while two-touch football and even chess showcased the wide range of talents and interests within the student body. Throughout the day, the sports field and surrounding areas were alive with excitement, as pupils pushed themselves to achieve their personal bests and worked together to earn points for their colleges. In total, more than 250 winners were crowned across the events; a testament to the incredible effort, determination and skill shown by competitors.

Using the VEX IQ Rapid Relay challenge, students designed, built and programmed their robots. 

Throughout the day teams competed in three key competitions:

• Driver Challenge – a single student controlled the robot.
• Autonomous Challenge – students programmed a sequence of code for the robot to follow.
• Teamwork Challenge – two teams joined forces in paired alliances.

Trophies were awarded to the top scorers in each event, along with a special prize for the team with the best-designed robot.

The competition concluded in a winning score for both Finham Park School and Finham Primary in the Teamwork Challenge. Meadow Park was awarded the Design Award and Finham Primary crowned the Autonomous and Driver Challenge winners.

The Sports Mark Gold Award reflects the school's sustained efforts in providing high-quality PE lessons, organising a wide range of sports clubs, and encouraging student participation in competitive events. This latest accolade once again places Finham Park among the top-performing schools in the region for sport and physical activity.

Throughout the year, students have represented Finham Park in numerous local and regional competitions. The school also continues to offer inclusive sporting opportunities to encourage participation from all year groups and abilities.

With this third Gold Award, Finham Park continues to strengthen its reputation as a centre of sporting excellence, inspiring students to lead active, healthy lifestyles both inside and outside of school.

A highlight of the day was a special audience with Lord Heywood, a member of the House of Lords with strong links to Coventry. Lord Heywood previously served as a councillor in Coventry and was also a rugby referee for Old Leamingtonians for several years.

During an engaging Q&A session, students asked thought-provoking questions such as:

• Why do laws take so long to be passed?
• Why is financial education not mandatory in schools?
• What was it like working with David Cameron?

Colleagues discussed with him the processes behind restorative conversations with him sharing some real insights and strategies that could be deployed in addressing some of the most challenging behavioural situations we come across in schools.

'Stay curious, not furious'
'What you permit, you promote.
'What you walk past, you tolerate’.
‘Contrary to popular belief, schools that deploy restorative practices are not schools that do not have rules’.

Acknowledging that our own perspective may be different to others'.

He raised a very hard-hitting point - why do we refuse to acknowledge different perspectives in conflict situations? Why do we think we are right 95% of the time?

After years of hard work, dedication, and countless memories made along the way, these students are now stepping into the final stage of their school journey. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved so far and the resilience they have shown, particularly in recent months as they prepare for their upcoming external exams.

The atmosphere on site was filled with excitement, laughter, and a few tears, as friends and teachers shared their good wishes. A particular highlight of the day was the guard of honour, where younger students lined up to cheer on and applaud our Year 13 students as they left the school site for the last time before their exams; a moving and symbolic annual moment of the school community coming together to celebrate the achievements of the outgoing Year 13 students.

Although today marks the end of formal classroom learning, it is not the end of the road. On Monday, the school begins its special programme of masterclasses designed to support both Year 11 and Year 13 in their final preparations and revision. These sessions will provide expert guidance and targeted practice to help them feel confident and ready for success in their exams. They were so well-received last year by students.

To all our Year 11 and Year 13 students: the school wishes you the very best in your final preparations. Work hard, stay focused, and remember that you have an entire school community cheering you on. We believe in you and we can’t wait to celebrate your achievements in the months to come!

From superheroes to wizards, students arrived in a dazzling array of costumes, each more imaginative than the last. Dressed as characters ranging from Roald Dahl’s mischievous Matilda to the adventurous Harry Potter, the school took part in the "Guess the Character" quiz.

(NB: Can you guess the character / book of the staff dressed up?)

The library remains a book lover’s paradise! The shelves, as always, were bursting with titles, and students eagerly dove into reading challenges, uncovering hidden literary gems.

Following the recent publication of Finham Park School's Ofsted report, it is heartening to reflect on all the school is doing to support the children and young people within the community of learners. Staff at the school continue to work exceptionally hard to ensure the very best support and education is given to all pupils. Ambitious trips, engaging lessons and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities continue to be provided (including the recent trip to Auchswitz, Poland, this week).

A few extracts from the report about inclusivity include:

The 13-minute film below captures the students' experience

John Garrison, acclaimed musician, returned to his old stomping ground on Thursday, 13th February, to inspire the next generation of musicians. As part of the Ed Sheeran Foundation’s initiative to promote music in education, Garrison visited the school’s music department, offering invaluable advice to GCSE students considering a career in the industry.

How do we connect with learners and their families and enable connections to be made in their learning through opportunities we present to them, both inside and outside the classroom?

The Cathedral is an important, local, national and international place in the heart of Coventry, a city of peace and reconciliation; a foundational value at the heart of the Christmas season which are akin to the fundamental values of Finham Park School where we value and promote kindness, courageousness, perseverance and humility in all that we do. So it is fitting that we hold our Christmas Graduation and Concert in this spectacular venue.

People gathered in the spirit of celebration, not just to enjoy beautiful music, but to reflect on years filled with hard work, growth, and unforgettable moments. As students approach the end of one chapter, we looked ahead with them to the next chapter, full of hope and excitement.

Thank you to the visitors, parents, staff and guests who attended in support of our pupils graduating.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With the youngest cast ever performing, it was heartening to see the skill, talent and professionalism in the school. Sell out audiences at all performances led to some lovely feedback from guests. They say it all:

'Stunning. Energetic. A masterpiece. Six stars'

'Just the best school production I have seen in 30 years'. 

'I love the West End (Hamilton booked for next Saturday) and musicals and this was so enjoyable and the quality superb. The vocals amazing'! Take a bow - you are amazing'

Myton Hospice believe that 'everyone matters for every single moment of their life and treating patients with dignity and respect is more important than meeting targets'.

You can donate using the link below.

We have invited educational experts including nationally recognised authors, Warwick university leads and more to present for us. They will be exploring a variety of topics covering how we make connections both inside and outside the classroom.

Speakers include:

• MARK ROBERTS
• CHRISTOPHER SUCH
• EMMA TURNER
• AARON WILKES (UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK)
• ROBIN LAUNDER (THE BEHAVIOUR BUDDY)
• MARK FINNIS
• JEAN GROSS
• ALISON MORGAN (UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK)
• JOANNA PELLEREAU (UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK)

Some of which are contributors to the ‘Teaching WALKTHRUs’, which we know many schools are using to embed instructional coaching in their settings.

All sessions will be held in person at ‘The Venue, Finham Park school, Green Lane, Coventry, CV3 6EA’.

PRICING

We are pleased to offer these for FREE. All schools are welcome to attend.

SIGN-UP

Please sign-up via the links in the flyer. (The links are unique to each session). We will be sending out further instructions/information closer to each session. You will also be able to find this information on our website very soon.

WHEN IS THE FIRST SESSION?

Our first event will take place on Wednesday 4^th December with Aaron Wilkes. This is the first in a series of ‘connecting with your subject specialism’ sessions, with Aaron Wilkes focusing on History Pedagogy: ‘What does ‘good’ History teaching look like?’.

CONTACT US

Please contact us at admin@thelionalliance.co.uk if you have any questions and we would be happy to help.

Note: these events are held in collaboration with the Lion Alliance & Finham Park MAT, Collaborative C and the Coventry Local Authority.

The training provides an opportunity to intensify the focus on specific, pivotal areas. Intensive training and practise builds powerfully the link between evidence-based theory and practise. This means that intensive training and practise is led and supported by a range of experts such as those through The Lion Alliance. Because the main aim is to strengthen the link between evidence-based classroom practise, some elements of intensive training and practise takes place in a school environment like Finham Park School.

Coventry Cathedral, in the heart of the city, is decorated for Christmas and provides a stunning setting for an evening where students celebrate their success with parents, staff, governors and invited guests from the community. Students are presented with their exam certificates and there will be music performances too. Guests should arrive at Coventry Cathedral from 6pm.  Students and guests will arrive in formal dress (jeans, trainers or casual wear will not be appropriate). Students can request up to three guests to attend with them. 

Students with over 95% attendance achieve better educational outcomes than students with less than this attendance. That equates to only 9 school days throughout the academic year when a student can be absent. Indeed, some students are never absent and are celebrated regularly as part of the school's 100% attendance club.

A new parent/carer app was launched at the start of term called, 'My Child at School'. This new app enables parents to see live information during the day about their child's attendance and behaviour as well as streamlining communication with the school and reporting on progress checks.

Families are checking their child's uniform over this weekend to ensure that it fits correctly as outlined below.

More students than ever excelled in their Post-16 examinations, with a quarter of all grades being awarded at A/A* or equivalent level and half of all grades being awarded at least Grade B or equivalent. An impressive total of 579 grades were awarded this year to the 202 pupils, which was an increase of 155 grades compared to last year.

At GCSE level, students continued to make above average progress with the average grade being awarded at Grade 5. An impressive third of the grades awarded were at Grade 7 or higher.

Thanks to the tireless PE staff who organise and set up the day (under the direction of Mr Amos), the day is a regular fixture in Finham Park School's calendar.

Finham MAT Core Values: Kindness, Respect, Honesty, Teamwork, Integrity and Enjoyment

100% of the money raised will go to purchasing resources for primary schools we support in Uganda. The money will be spent by Ugandan teachers when students get there in October 2024 on their African immersion trip.

Thank you to all our supporters who came to the evening. It was a great event and highlighted the importance of supporting and educating young people all over the world.