Finham Park 2 is a secondary school and sixth form located on Torrington Avenue in Tile Hill, Coventry. It was founded on 1 September 2015 as a sequel school to the already existing Finham Park School, a secondary school and sixth form situated on Green Lane in Finham. In the seven years since its creation, the school has amassed 665 pupils, which is close to the original intended capacity of 800. The school's age range is 11-18, as alike Finham Park School, it has two optional years of sixth form past its five mandatory years of secondary schooling. The headteacher is Will Keddie and the school has 65 staff.

Finham Park 2
Address
Map
Torrington Avenue

, ,
CV4 9WT
Coordinates52°23′50″N 1°34′22″W / 52.397300°N 1.572872°W / 52.397300; -1.572872
Information
School typeFree school
Established1 September 2015
Sister schoolFinham Park School
TrustFinham Park Multi-Academy Trust
Department for Education URN141939 Tables
OfstedReports
HeadteacherWill Keddie
Executive headteacherMark Bailie
Staff65
GenderCoeducational
Age range11-18
Houses  Northgate
  Eastgate
  Southgate
  Westgate
Websitehttp://finhampark2.co.uk

History

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The school was established on 1 September 2015 as a non-selective, comprehensive state school for students aged 11-18.[1] Upon the school's establishment, it was considered to be controversial and by some to be a "waste of money", or that it would have a "negative impact on existing schools", with over 400 people signing a petition against the school's establishment.[2][3] In September 2021, Coventry Telegraph stated that Finham Park 2 was the most oversubscribed school in Coventry, with 54% of those who put Finham Park 2 as their first choice when applying for secondary securing a place.[4]

On 7 May 2023, Finham Park 2 headteacher Russel Plester passed away from sudden death of unknown cause.[5] Masses of floral tributes were thereupon laid at the school site, Plester having been described as an immensely kind, passionate person and teacher.[6][7]

Finham Park School was said to be the basis of Finham Park 2, with the ultimate aim being to be "world class" and be rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.[8] However, in the last and only Ofsted inspection for the school in 6 June 2018, the school was rated as 'Good'.[9]

The school has become a member of the Finham Park Multi-Academy Trust and the Lion Alliance.[1][10] The school has also established a college system, with all students split into 4 colleges, being Northgate, Southgate, Westgate and Eastgate, resembling Finham Park School's former college system.[11]

Sixth Form

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Alike Finham Park School, Finham Park 2 also has a sixth form, offering A-Level courses in the subjects of Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Engineering, English Literature, Fine Art, Geography, History, Maths, Spanish and more.[12] The sixth form currently has a capacity of 200, split into the year groups of Year 12 and Year 13, with each having a capacity of 100 respectively. For admissions, students must achieve at least a grade 5-9 in GCSE English and three other GCSE subjects.[13] Most sixth form lessons take place in the main school area.[14]

Ofsted

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Ever since the school's creation, Finham Park 2 has only had one Ofsted inspection. The result of this inspection was that the school would be rated as 'Good'. In the report, it was stated: "In a small number of lessons, pupils’ attitudes to learning are not as good as they are in others. During the inspection, some incidents of low-level disruptive behaviour occurred. Pupils confirmed that this does happen occasionally, and they also said that some staff do not issue sanctions in accordance with the behaviour policy."[15]

Colleges

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The school has 4 colleges:[11]

College Colour
Northgate   Blue
Eastgate   Red
Southgate   Yellow
Westgate   Green

References

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  1. ^ a b "Finham Park 2 - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Controversial Finham Park 2 school will be permanently based in Tile Hill". Coventry Telegraph. 27 May 2015.
  3. ^ "Controversial Finham Park 2 school gets go ahead from government". Coventry Telegraph. 5 March 2015.
  4. ^ Miller, Claire; Suart, Paul (14 September 2021). "The most oversubscribed schools in Coventry". CoventryLive. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Click here to view the tribute page for Russell John PLESTER". funeral-notices.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  6. ^ Kaur, Jaspreet (13 May 2023). "Cov in mourning as flowers laid for 'life and soul of the community'". CoventryLive. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  7. ^ Harrison, Claire (11 May 2023). "Pupils and teachers mourn as tributes flood in for Cov headteacher". CoventryLive. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Finham Park 2". Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Finham Park 2". Ofsted. 8 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Finham Park 2". The Lion Alliance. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Vertical College System – Finham Park 2". Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  12. ^ "Finham Park 2 Sixth Form". Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Sixth Form Admissions – Finham Park 2 Sixth Form". Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  14. ^ "About – Finham Park 2 Sixth Form". Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  15. ^ "School report: Finham Park 2". Ofsted.