- Home
- About Us
- School History
Celebrating OurRICH HISTORY
1344
Bablake School Founded
In 1344 Queen Isabella, a widow of Edward II, gave land at ‘Babbelak’ for the building of the original St John’s (or Bablake) Church.
Bablake
1545
King Henry VIII School Founded
The School is founded by John Hales as a condition, set by King Henry VIII, to his purchase of former monastery lands around the city. Lessons are taught in the choir of the church of the Whitefriars’ Monastery.
King Henry VIII
1558
King Henry VIII School Moves
The School moves to another of John Hales’ properties, the Hospital of St John the Baptist, known today as ‘The Grammar School’ in Hales Street. It would remain on this site for over 300 years.
King Henry VIII
1565
Queen Elizabeth I visits the School
King Henry VIII
1580
Bablake School Re-founded
Certainly in 1560 it was reopened by the City with forty-one boys in attendance. The School was mostly dependent on charitable gifts until 1563, when Thomas Wheatley, who had been Mayor of Coventry in 1556, endowed it with much of his estate.
Bablake
1602
The third Headmaster, John Tovey, founds the School Library
King Henry VIII
2021
Bablake and King Henry VIII School Opens
BKHS will combine all that is good at Bablake and King Henry VIII schools, continuing the tradition of an exceptional education within the city built upon outstanding opportunities, superb teaching and learning and strong pastoral care.
Bablake & King Henry VIII