Education

In this section:

1. Education (current page)
2. Family support
3. Childcare costs

Coventry City Council places educational excellence at the heart of its agenda and recognises the essential role that education plays in contributing to raising educational standards, improving skills, enhancing employment prospects and increasing economic prosperity. 

In Coventry there are: 

• 87  primary schools (57 have nursery classes) 
• 17  secondary schools 
• 2  academy schools
• 11  special needs schools 
• 8  independent schools 

Pre school, nursery and early years 

 Returning to work or finding childcare in a new area can be a daunting prospect. The Coventry Family Information Service can make it easier and help you make the right choice of how your child will be cared for.  The service offers you up to date information on registered childcare: including childminders and private and state run nurseries, advice on average costs and any financial assistance that may be available and special needs help and support. 

Currently 57 primary schools operate an LEA Nursery Class; this offers free Early Years Education for children over three years. Nursery education is also available at a selection of private day and state operated nurseries throughout the city and region.   

Primary 

There are currently 87 primary schools in the city, of which 27 are designated as church schools.  Almost all of the city's primary schools cater for the full primary age range, children benefit from seven years of primary education in one school. There are currently two infant and two junior schools within the city.  A selection of primary schools also offer wraparound clubs to offer care before and after school for working parents. 

A full guide to admissions along with criteria and policies is available on the city council website.  

OFSTED reports and details of individual schools are available from either the schools website or by visiting http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/

Secondary 

There are currently 17 secondary schools in the city, of which four are designated as church schools.  Single sex education is met through two single sex secondary schools situated in the west of the city.  The Council has for many years, been committed to comprehensive schools which provide a full range of learning opportunities. and is also strongly supportive of the development of specialist schools. All secondary schools either have plans for, or have been designated as specialist schools.  

A full guide to admissions along with criteria and policy is available on the City Council website.  OFSTED reports and contact details for individual schools are also available online. 

Academy schools

There are currently two academy schools in the city; the Grace Academy and Sidney Stringer. Academy schools are governed by the Governing Board of Directors (Trustees) rather than the local authority.  The Governing Board is responsible for corporate governance. The Directors have legal duties for the charity and are responsible for the strategic direction and policy for the group of Academies within the Trust.  Admissions for academies are arranged directly with the school.

Special educational needs 

The Council is committed to the principle of inclusion and to ensuring that all children and young people have a real chance of success in their lives.  Some mainstream schools have additional resources for children with hearing, visual, speech or language difficulties and there are two enhanced resource nurseries within two of the city's primary schools for very young children with severe special educational needs.

Nine special needs schools cater for children of all ages with moderate and severe learning difficulties.  

Independent schools 

The Coventry and Warwickshire area has a selection of some of the best independent schools in the country.  Senior, junior, boarding or day, co-educational and single sex, selective and all-ability, there is a school to fit any child's needs. 

The Coventry Schools Foundation is a group of five schools in Coventry, offering education for children from three to 18 years.

For more information on Independent schools in the area, please contact the Relocation Officer. 

Further education 

There are three colleges of further education in the city, Henley College, City College and Hereward College with more than 20,000 students. They offer a diverse prospectus of full and part time education to students 16+, giving everyone the opportunity to improve their prospects.  Qualifications range from GCSEs, NVQ Level 2 - 4, AS Level and HNC/HND. Hereward College caters for young people with physical disabilities and/or learning difficulties. 

Adult education 

The Adult Education Service offers a wide range of opportunities, in more than 50 locations across the city.  Subjects on offer include: 

• English, maths and English for speakers of other languages 
• IT and business administration 
• Music and dance 
• Languages 
• Visual and creative arts  

Free courses and training are available for people who want to get back into work or improve their skills and employability.