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