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Bablake School
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Bablake School is a secondary co-educational private day school located in Coventry, England. It was founded in 1344 by Isabella of France, widow of Edward II, making it one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom. It is a part of the Coventry School Foundation, a registered charity,[1] along with King Henry VIII School, King Henry VIII Preparatory School and Cheshunt School. As of January 2021, Bablake is a selective, fee-charging independent school and a member of the HMC.
Key Information
History
[edit]
Started by Edward II's widow Queen Isabella in 1344,[2] Bablake (or Babbelak in Middle English) was a public school first sited at Hill Street in Coventry. Isabella endowed the Guild of St John with the Babbelak land on which was founded the St John's chapel and the Bablake school linked to it.[citation needed] Bablake church, now known as St John's, still stands adjacent to the school's original buildings. The school still holds concerts in the church, and has even sung Evensong there once.[3] Many of the pupils were originally choristers of the church. The relationship continued through the figure of Edward Jackson, who from 1734 was both vicar of the church and headmaster of the school. The expansion of the Bablake site continued via land grants.[2] In the 1890s, Bablake began to move to its current site in Coundon Road, where it continued as a public school with six all-boys boarding houses.
In the 1930s, fifty acres of land on Hollyfast Road were purchased to expand the playing fields of the school. During the Second World War, the school was evacuated to Lincoln. In 1975 the first female pupil was admitted. The school had long ceased taking boarders; what had been the bedrooms became the Mathematics department, and the headmaster's house became the Geography department. In the late 1980s the school built its Modern Languages block; a few years later Bablake Junior School opened and in 2000 the English, Drama and Music block was completed, sited on what was originally the headmaster's garden.
In October 2020, it was announced that Bablake would merge with King Henry VIII School.[4] The proposed new school was initially named Coventry School, before backlash from parents and staff led to Bablake and King Henry VIII School being chosen.[5] The combined school was set to open in September 2021.[6] The plan was abandoned during the course of 2021, with the decision to share some facilities and teaching (particularly in the sixth form) between King Henry VIII School and Bablake School.[7] In June 2022, Governors agreed to return to the original name, Bablake School.
List of headmasters
[edit]- Rev. Edward Jackson (1734–1758)
- Sir William Moore (1822–1824)
- Dr. Henry Mander (1824–1870)
- F.W. Humberstone (1870–1890)
- Rev. Dr. Franklyn (?–?)
- E.A. Seaborne (1937–1962)
- E.H. Burrough (1962–1977)
- Martin W. Barker (1977–1991)
- Dr. Stuart Nuttall (1991–2006)
- John W. Watson (2006–2019)
- Andrew M. Wright (2019–2021)
- Chris R. Seeley (2021)
- Dr. Deneal Smith (2021–2022)
- Andrew M. Wright (2022–Present)
Coat of arms
[edit]The arms of Bablake School are those of its benefactor, Thomas Wheatley: Sanguine a Lion Rampant Argent, on a Chief Or, Three Mullets of the second.
Layout
[edit]
The Bablake site houses two schools: a junior school that takes children between year 3 and year 6, and a senior school that takes children between year 7 and sixth form. Although the junior school is formally independent, its intake generally move up as a group to the senior school. In the main school, there are blocks allocated to specific subjects, such as science, music, drama and English combined, and a languages block. The main school building contains rooms for history, geography, computer science, art, design & technology and maths. The school has a swimming pool and indoor sporting facilities on site including an indoor artificial climbing wall and fully equipped gym. It also has four tennis courts, which are used as netball courts at other times in the year. Off site there are six rugby pitches, hockey astroturf (with floodlights) and three cricket squares. The cricket pavilion, which housed the changing rooms, was hit by lightning on 28 June 2005, and was out of use until spring 2006. In the EDM – English/Drama/Music block – there is a large theatre and a rehearsal room which are both used for plays and music recitals.
Houses
[edit]| House name | Establishment | Retired | Re-established | Crest | House colours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheatley | 1563 | n/a | n/a | Sanguine a Stag's Head Or | Maroon and gold |
| Billing | 1894 | ? | n/a | ||
| Crow | 1894 | n/a | n/a | Sable a Corvus Argent | Black and white (later navy blue and purple) |
| Baker | 1896 | ? | 2021 | ||
| Fairfax | 1896 | n/a | n/a | Azure a Crosslet Argent | Sky blue and gold |
| Bayley | 1900 | n/a | n/a | Gules a Motte Argent | Red and white |
Notable former pupils
[edit] | This list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (February 2017) |
Former students, known as "Old Wheatleyans", include:
- Kare Adenegan (born 2000), won 2018 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year
- Mark Best (born 1994), cricketer for Loughborough MCCU
- Paul Best (born 1991), cricketer for Warwickshire
- Olivia Broadfield (born 1981), singer-songwriter
- Robert Clift (born 1962), hockey player, Olympic gold medallist
- Norman Coke-Jephcott (1893–1962), composer and organist
- Martine Croxall (born 1969), BBC News presenter
- Fred Daniels (1892–1959), stills photographer
- Sir John Egan, (born 1939), Executive, Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Warwickshire
- Geoff Evans England and British Lions Rugby Player
- Tony Fairbrother (1926–2004), aeronautical engineer, flight test engineering on the maiden flight of the de Havilland Comet, the first jet airliner
- Shane Geraghty (born 1986), rugby union player
- Courtenay Griffiths, criminal barrister
- Kenneth Hegan (1901–1989), England international footballer
- John Herington (1916–1967), military historian and airman
- Melissa Kite (born 1972), journalist
- Leonard Lord, 1st Baron Lambury (1896–1967), industrialist
- Tony Mottram (1920–2016), tennis player, former British number 1
- Brian Matthew (1928–2017), broadcaster
- Simon Over (born 1964), pianist and conductor
- Jack Parsons (1890–1981), cricketer
- Angus Russell (born 1956), businessman, former CEO of Shire plc
- Sir James Shelley (1884–1961), educationalist, critic and broadcaster
- Nick Skelton (born 1957), showjumper, Olympic gold medallist
- Sir Nicholas Thompsell (born 1959), High Court judge
- Donald Trelford (1937–2023), former editor of The Observer
- Melissa Walton (born 1990), Hollyoaks actress, as Loretta Jones
Appearances in the media
[edit]Part of the 2009 Christmas film Nativity! was filmed at the school.[8][9]
The first three episodes of the 2019 BBC Two series Back in Time for School, covering the period from 1895 to 1959, were filmed at the school.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Coventry School Foundation, registered charity no. 528961". Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- ^ a b "History | Bablake School". www.bablake.com. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Choral Evensong At St John's". www.bablake.com. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ Souza, Naomi de (2 October 2020). "Two historic Coventry schools announce they are merging". CoventryLive. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ Souza, Naomi de (14 January 2021). "New name revealed in private schools merger". CoventryLive. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Bablake and King Henry VIII to merge into a single all-through school in 2021". Coventry Observer. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
- ^ "Campaigners welcome U-turn in controversial KHVIII and Bablake merger plans – but vision for 'one school' remains". Coventry Observer. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- ^ McMullen, Marion (20 November 2009). "How Nativity! turned Coventry into a film star". CoventryLive. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "5 Star 'Nativity' opens!". www.bablake.com. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ Hainey, Fionnula (10 January 2019). "BBC's Back In Time For School puts Cov back in the spotlight". CoventryLive. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
Further reading
[edit]- Peter Burden, The Lion and the Stars: A History of Bablake School, Coventry (Coventry: Coventry School Foundation, 1990)
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bablake School.
Bablake School
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Overview
Founding and Governance
Bablake School traces its origins to 1344, when Queen Isabella of France, widow of King Edward II, granted land known as 'Babbelak'—derived from the Old English term for a babbling brook—to the Guild of St John the Baptist for the construction of a chapel and associated buildings in Coventry.[2] This endowment laid the foundation for what became St John's Chapel, also called Bablake Church, to which the school was initially linked as a public institution providing education, likely originating as a choir school for the chapel by 1364.[2] The school's early role was tied to the chapel's collegiate structure, supporting religious and educational activities for boys in the medieval community.[6] Over centuries, Bablake evolved from its medieval public roots into a modern independent school, becoming fully independent in 1945 after operating as a grammar school under local authority oversight.[2] By 1975, it ceased admitting boarders, transitioning to a day school model, and admitted its first female students, marking the shift to co-education; in September 2025, the school celebrated the 50th anniversary of this milestone.[7][8] Today, Bablake operates as a selective, private co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, governed by the Coventry School Foundation, a registered charity (number 528961) that oversees its administration and ensures compliance with educational standards as a trustee-limited company. The foundation's board of governors, numbering up to 22 members, directs strategic decisions for Bablake and its sister institutions.[9] As a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC), Bablake adheres to high standards of independent education, emphasizing academic selectivity and holistic development.[10] The school's motto, "Spiritus Vicis," translates from Latin as "The Spirit of Opportunity," reflecting its commitment to fostering potential in students.[2]Location and Enrollment
Bablake School is situated at Coundon Road, Coventry, CV1 4AU, England, in an urban setting within the northwest part of the city, approximately one mile from the city centre.[11][10] The campus occupies an attractive green site nestled amid stunning grounds that provide a tranquil environment amidst the surrounding built-up area.[12] These grounds include playing fields extending to Hollyfast Road, which were expanded in the 1930s through the acquisition of approximately fifty acres of land by the school's foundation.[13] The school serves pupils aged 3 to 18 across its Pre-Prep, Junior, and Senior sections, though the primary site at Coundon Road houses the Junior School (Years 3–6, ages 7–11) and Senior School (Years 7–13, ages 11–18).[12] As of September 2025, enrollment at the Coundon Road establishment totals 961 pupils, reflecting the integration following the 2024 merger with the former Preparatory School.[11] The Pre-Prep section, located separately at The Grange on Brownshill Green Road (CV6 2EG), caters to children aged 3–7 and contributes to the overall school community.[12] Bablake School has been co-educational since 1975, when the first intake of girls occurred, and it operates exclusively as a day school without boarding facilities.[2][10] The student body is diverse, drawing from the local Coventry area and surrounding regions, with accessibility enhanced by nine school bus routes connecting nearby towns and villages, as well as proximity to public rail and bus services.[14] Its location near the city centre places it close to historic sites, including Bond's Hospital on Hill Street, about one mile away, underscoring the school's ties to Coventry's medieval heritage.[10][6]History
Origins and Early Development
Bablake School traces its origins to the mid-14th century, with the land at Bablake granted in 1344 by Queen Isabella, widow of Edward II, for the foundation of the collegiate church of St John the Baptist at Bablake.[15] This foundation laid the groundwork for the collegiate church of St John, to which the school's early structures were attached.[16] Historian A.F. Leach identified 1364 as a pivotal year, positing that the institution began as a choir school serving the church, providing education to boys who assisted in liturgical services.[2] The original building, constructed in the 14th century as priests' quarters for the collegiate church, formed the core of the site's educational heritage.[16] By the late medieval period, the College of Bablake had developed a quadrangle layout, including a hall by 1364 and chambers for priests documented by 1545.[17] In 1560, the structure was significantly remodeled into a boys' hospital, incorporating elements of the medieval east range, and soon transitioned to serve as a school for poor boys under charitable provisions.[16] This adaptation featured a half-timbered Tudor design with an ashlar ground floor, oversailing upper story on wooden brackets, and a cloistered passage, preserving much of its medieval character while enabling educational use.[6] The school's early growth as a grammar school was secured in 1563 through a major endowment by Thomas Wheatley, a prosperous Coventry merchant and former mayor in 1556, who bequeathed his estate—fortuitously acquired via a shipment of silver ingots received in error—to support free education for local poor boys.[2][6] Prior to this, the institution relied on sporadic land grants and charitable gifts tied to the hospital's foundation, but Wheatley's contribution elevated its status, funding boarding for 21 boys and a nurse, with instruction initially in the Dirge Hall before dedicated classrooms.[17] This endowment marked Bablake's firm establishment as a key provider of grammar education in Coventry, fostering literacy and classical studies amid the post-Reformation landscape.[2]Expansion and Modernization
In the late 19th century, Bablake School underwent significant expansion by relocating to its present site on Coundon Road in 1890, where it occupied newly constructed palatial premises designed to support a burgeoning student population and modern educational needs.[2] This move marked a pivotal shift from its original Hill Street location, enabling the school to grow as a prominent grammar institution with facilities for both day pupils and boarders.[6] By the 1930s, further modernization efforts included the acquisition of additional land for playing fields, notably a parcel purchased in 1931 from the Earl of Aylesford, which expanded the school's recreational and sports infrastructure to accommodate increasing enrollment.[13] The onset of World War II disrupted these developments when the Blitz in November 1940 severely damaged the school's facilities, including the complete destruction of its library, prompting the full evacuation of approximately 350 pupils and staff to Lincoln later that month.[18] The school operated from Lincoln until the summer of 1943, after which it returned to Coventry to resume operations amid wartime recovery efforts.[2] Post-war reconstruction in 1945 saw Bablake transition to independent status, fostering renewed growth in student numbers during the late 1950s as the institution adapted to peacetime demands.[2] A key modernization milestone occurred in 1975 with the admission of the first female pupils—30 girls in total—transforming Bablake into a co-educational school and broadening its accessibility.[19] In September 2025, the school celebrated the 50th anniversary of co-education by welcoming back former pupils from the inaugural 1975 intake.[20] This change aligned with broader societal shifts toward gender inclusivity in education. Infrastructure developments accelerated in the subsequent decades, particularly from 1962 to 1977 under Headmaster E. H. Burrough, who oversaw major building projects that enhanced academic and extracurricular facilities to meet the needs of a diversifying curriculum and rising pupil intake.[2] In October 2020, the Coventry School Foundation, which governs Bablake, proposed a merger with nearby King Henry VIII School to create a unified all-through institution initially named "Coventry School," set to open in September 2021 and fully integrate by 2022, aiming to achieve operational efficiencies while preserving academic excellence.[21] The plan, however, encountered substantial opposition from parents, alumni, and staff over concerns about eroding individual school identities and lack of consultation, leading to its abandonment during 2021; following this, the governors opted in June 2022 to revert the school's name to its original Bablake designation, maintaining operational independence under the shared foundation.[2] Concurrently, in 2021, Chris Staley—an experienced educator previously headmaster at Wisbech Grammar School—was appointed Principal to lead the institution through this transitional period, formally assuming the role in September 2022 with a focus on strategic oversight and community engagement.[22]Headmasters
Bablake School has been led by a series of headmasters since its early days as a grammar school, with the role evolving over time to reflect changes in educational governance, particularly following the school's integration into the Coventry School Foundation in 2021. Early headmasters often combined leadership with clerical duties, while later ones focused on expansion, modernization, and academic excellence. The position has remained titled "Headmaster" for the individual school, even as the foundation introduced a Principal role for overarching administration.[2][23] The school's first documented headmaster was Rev. Edward Jackson, who served from 1734 to 1758. As vicar of St. John the Baptist Church, he also oversaw the school, maintaining its connection to the church during a period of modest operation.[24][25] A significant revival occurred under Henry Mander, headmaster from 1824 to 1870. His tenure marked a period of growth, with increasing pupil numbers and an enhanced reputation, as he incorporated additional private pupils and strengthened the curriculum amid the school's transition toward broader accessibility.[2][26] F.W. Humberstone succeeded Mander, serving as headmaster from 1870 to 1890. During his leadership, the school continued to develop its academic focus, though facilities remained limited, confining activities largely to the premises.[27] In the late 19th century, J.I. Bates briefly held the role around 1889, overseeing the integration of amalgamated endowments like the Black Gift and Green Schools into Bablake's structure.[28] E.A. Seaborne led from 1937 to 1962, a transformative era of expansion that included navigating the challenges of World War II, such as the 1940 bombing of Coventry and the subsequent evacuation to Lincoln from 1940 to 1943. His stewardship fostered significant enrollment growth and resilience.[2] E.H. Burrough served as headmaster from 1962 to 1977, driving major infrastructural developments and a shift toward a more progressive educational environment that emphasized student freedoms and modern facilities.[2] M.W. Barker held the position from 1977 to 1991, continuing the momentum of post-war advancements in a stable transitional phase.[2] Dr. Stuart Nuttall's tenure from 1991 to 2006 was marked by exceptional growth, with pupil numbers peaking and the school achieving one of its most prosperous periods through enhanced academic programs and community engagement.[2] J.W. Watson led from 2006 to 2019, focusing on sustaining high standards in a competitive educational landscape.[2] Andrew M. Wright became headmaster in 2019, serving until 2021 when he temporarily stepped into a project lead role to guide merger discussions between Bablake and King Henry VIII School under the Coventry School Foundation. During 2021-2022, interim headmasters Chris R. Seeley (2021) and Dr. Deneal Smith (2021-2022) led the school. Wright resumed as headmaster in 2022 and continues to lead as of 2025, emphasizing academic excellence and the school's historic identity post-merger abandonment.[29][30][31]| Headmaster | Tenure | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Rev. Edward Jackson | 1734–1758 | Integrated school leadership with church duties; foundational stability.[24] |
| Henry Mander | 1824–1870 | Revitalized enrollment and reputation; expanded access.[2] |
| F.W. Humberstone | 1870–1890 | Maintained academic focus amid limited facilities.[27] |
| J.I. Bates | c. 1889 | Managed endowment amalgamations.[28] |
| E.A. Seaborne | 1937–1962 | Oversaw wartime resilience and post-war growth.[2] |
| E.H. Burrough | 1962–1977 | Advanced buildings and liberal policies.[2] |
| M.W. Barker | 1977–1991 | Stabilized modern transitions.[2] |
| Dr. Stuart Nuttall | 1991–2006 | Achieved peak enrollment and prosperity.[2] |
| J.W. Watson | 2006–2019 | Upheld standards in competitive era.[2] |
| Chris R. Seeley | 2021 | Interim leadership during merger transition. |
| Dr. Deneal Smith | 2021–2022 | Interim leadership during merger transition. |
| Andrew M. Wright | 2019–2021, 2022–present | Navigated merger; promotes excellence.[29][30] |
Campus and Facilities
Main Buildings and Layout
Bablake School's campus is situated on Coundon Road in Coventry, encompassing both the Junior School for pupils aged 7 to 11 and the Senior School for those aged 11 to 18, with the Pre-Prep (ages 3 to 7) located separately at The Grange on Brownshill Green Road.[12] The site integrates historic and contemporary elements, reflecting the school's evolution from its original 14th-century foundations to a modern educational facility spanning approximately 50 acres, including playing fields about a mile away.[32][33] The original school building, dating to 1560 and located on Hill Street adjacent to Bond's Hospital, served as the institution's home until 1890, when it relocated to the current Coundon Road site to accommodate growth; the Hill Street structure remains a Grade I listed historic building, now used for offices while preserving its medieval character.[6] The core of the Coundon Road campus features a central Victorian-era main building, constructed in Gothic style with red brick and stone dressings, which has undergone continuous upgrades since its opening.[28] Key academic facilities include the Languages Block added in 1991, the dedicated Junior School building opened in 1993, and the English, Drama, and Music Block completed in 2000, which houses specialized music technology rooms and a 250-seat theatre for performances.[32] Further modernizations emphasize scientific and aquatic education, with new science laboratories introduced in 2004 to support advanced experimentation and a swimming pool refurbished in 2005 to enhance safety and functionality.[32] In 2024, the school opened an Engineering Hub equipped with computers, CAD software, a CNC milling machine, and three 3D printers to foster creative design and STEM learning.[34] The layout has evolved through phased developments, blending the original 1890 structure with later additions like a library extension in 2005 and a Sixth Form Centre redeveloped by 2017, creating a cohesive campus that balances heritage architecture with contemporary needs. In the 1930s, the school acquired additional fields to expand its grounds, supporting ongoing growth.[32] A notable incident in the campus's recent history occurred on 28 June 2005, when lightning struck the cricket pavilion on the school's playing fields, causing a severe fire that damaged the roof, first floor, and changing rooms, requiring up to 40 firefighters to respond; the structure was repaired and reopened by spring 2006.[35] This event underscored the campus's vulnerability to natural elements but also highlighted the school's commitment to swift restoration of its facilities.Sports and Recreational Facilities
Bablake School offers comprehensive indoor and outdoor facilities to support physical education, team sports, and recreational activities for its students. The indoor amenities include a large multi-purpose sports hall used for basketball, netball, badminton, and volleyball; an indoor swimming pool that facilitates learn-to-swim programs and competitive swimming; a fitness gym equipped with cardio machines, rowers, treadmills, and free weights; a dedicated dance studio for rhythmic and contemporary activities; and a state-of-the-art climbing wall for strength and agility training. These facilities are integral to the school's co-curricular program, enabling timetabled PE sessions and extracurricular clubs that promote physical fitness and teamwork across all year groups.[36][37] Outdoors, the school maintains tennis and netball courts, floodlit astroturf pitches primarily for hockey, and expansive playing fields dedicated to rugby, football, cricket, athletics, and rounders. Off-site at Hollyfast Road, additional resources include six rugby pitches, a floodlit hockey astroturf, three cricket squares, and a cricket pavilion housing changing rooms and team facilities. The cricket pavilion was severely damaged by a lightning strike that caused a fire on 28 June 2005, rendering it unusable until its reconstruction and reopening in spring 2006.[38][35] Recent enhancements have modernized the infrastructure to better accommodate year-round use. Between 2008 and 2015, new indoor sports facilities were developed alongside resurfaced netball and tennis courts with improved acrylic coatings and floodlighting. In 2015, all-weather pitches were installed on the playing fields, supporting hockey, football, and tennis training regardless of weather conditions and expanding opportunities for inter-school fixtures. These upgrades reflect the school's commitment to high-quality sports provision within its broader campus layout.[39][40] The sports facilities are central to school life, hosting inter-house competitions that encourage participation from students of all abilities and fostering a sense of community through events like house matches in football, netball, and cricket. They also support representative teams competing at county, regional, and national levels, contributing to the holistic development of pupils by building confidence, resilience, and social skills alongside academic pursuits.[36][41]School Organization
Academic Structure
Bablake School operates a structured academic progression divided into Pre-Prep (ages 3-7, equivalent to Nursery through Year 2), Junior School (ages 7-11, Years 3-6), and Senior School (ages 11-18, Years 7-13, including Sixth Form in Years 12-13).[12][43] The Junior School and Pre-Prep are often grouped under preparatory education, providing a foundational curriculum that transitions seamlessly into the Senior School. The curriculum emphasizes academic rigor and breadth, with selective entry based on entrance assessments for Year 7 and internal progression for younger stages.[10] In the Senior School, Years 7-9 follow Key Stage 3, offering a balanced program in core subjects like English, mathematics, sciences (biology, chemistry, physics), history, geography, modern foreign languages, and creative arts, with small class sizes of up to 24 pupils to foster engagement.[45] Years 10-11 prepare students for GCSEs and IGCSEs through mandatory subjects including English Language and Literature, mathematics, and dual sciences, supplemented by option blocks for languages, humanities, and arts to align with individual interests.[45] The Sixth Form allows students to select three A-level subjects from a wide range, including sciences, humanities, and arts, promoting independent learning and preparation for university entrance.[46] The school has been fully co-educational since 1975, when the first intake of girls joined, building on its historical foundations to support equal opportunities in education.[47] It provides tailored support for diverse learning needs through experienced staff who address individual strengths, ambitions, and challenges, ensuring personalized pathways within the academic framework.[45][48] Academic achievements reflect strong performance, with 2025 GCSE results showing over 60% of grades at 7-9 (equivalent to A/A*), including 26 pupils achieving at least eight grades at 8 or 9, and two thirds of candidates gaining at least five grades at 7 or above.[49] A-level results for the same year achieved a 98% pass rate, with 40% of grades at A*/A and 72% at A*-B, demonstrating consistent value-added progress above national expectations.[50][51][14]Houses and Traditions
Bablake School employs a house system comprising four active houses—Bayley, Crow, Fairfax, and Wheatley—into which pupils are assigned upon joining and remain throughout their time at the school. These houses are named after historical benefactors and amalgamated institutions: Wheatley honors the 16th-century endower Thomas Wheatley, while Bayley, Crow, and Fairfax derive from the Katherine Bayley's Charity School (Blue Gift), Crow's School (Black Gift), and Fairfax Charity School (Green Gift), respectively, incorporated around 1900. Previously, the system included retired houses such as Baker and Billing, also from early 20th-century mergers. Each house has distinct colors—Bayley in red, Crow in blue, Fairfax in green, and Wheatley in burgundy (often described as maroon)—which are displayed in ties, badges, and event decorations to promote identity and rivalry. House crests, updated in recent years, further symbolize these affiliations. The house system serves to cultivate a sense of community and school spirit by encouraging participation and friendly competition across academics, sports, arts, and extracurricular activities. Pupils earn points for their house through individual and team efforts in events like quizzes, debates, and performances, with annual tallies determining the overall house champion. This structure fosters collaboration and motivation, as houses compete for trophies such as the House Cup, awarded at the end of the academic year based on cumulative achievements. By integrating pupils from all year groups, the system builds lasting bonds and reinforces values of teamwork and perseverance central to the school's ethos. Key traditions tied to the houses include the prominent display of the school's coat of arms, adopted from benefactor Thomas Wheatley and blazoned as sanguine, a lion rampant argent, on a chief or three mullets sable, which appears on uniforms, buildings, and official documents to evoke the institution's heritage. The school uniform, compulsory for all pupils, incorporates house-specific elements like colored ties or blazers while maintaining a standard design of navy blazers, white shirts, and grey trousers or skirts, promoting equality and discipline. Annual house-based events, such as House Music and House Drama competitions, highlight talents in performance and creativity, with pupils staging productions or musicals representing their house; for instance, recent House Drama featured themed adaptations like modern retellings of fairy tales, judged for originality and execution. These traditions, alongside inter-house sports days and charity drives, play a vital role in nurturing school pride and a supportive community atmosphere.Notable Alumni
Sports Figures
Karé Adenegan, a British wheelchair racer in the T34 classification, attended Bablake School in Coventry, where she was celebrated for her early athletic promise.[52] At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, she secured a silver medal in the 100m and bronze medals in the 400m and 800m events at age 15.[53] Adenegan followed this with silver medals in the 100m and 800m at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and repeated the feat with two more silvers in the same events at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.[54] She has also earned multiple world championship medals, including silvers in the 100m and 800m at the 2019 Championships in Dubai, and was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2018.[55][56] Paul Best, a left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, developed his skills at Bablake School before progressing to professional cricket.[57] Born in 1991, he represented England Under-19s and made his first-class debut for Cambridge MCC University in 2011, where he impressed with a half-century and a five-wicket haul against Essex.[58] Best played for Warwickshire's Second XI and featured in county cricket until injuries curtailed his career around 2014, having taken 32 first-class wickets at an average of 45.16.[59] Nick Skelton, an acclaimed showjumper born in 1957, was educated at Bablake School in Coventry and left at age 16 to pursue equestrian sports full-time. His career highlights include team gold at the 2012 London Olympics and individual gold in the jumping event at the 2016 Rio Olympics aboard Big Star, marking his seventh Olympic appearance and earning him a CBE for services to equestrianism.[60] Skelton amassed 10 European Championship medals, six World Championship medals, and victories in over 60 major Grand Prix events, contributing to 44 Nations Cup wins for Great Britain.[61] Robert Clift, a field hockey forward, honed his skills at Bablake School before earning 75 caps for England starting in 1982.[62] He competed for Great Britain at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where the team won gold in the final.[63] Clift also helped England secure bronze at the 1986 World Cup and contributed to multiple European and Commonwealth successes during a career that spanned the 1980s.[64]Arts and Media Personalities
Martine Croxall, born in 1969, is a prominent British journalist and newsreader who attended Bablake School in Coventry before pursuing a degree in Geography at the University of Leeds, graduating in 1990.[65] She joined the BBC in 1995 as a news correspondent, later becoming a key presenter on BBC News at One and BBC World News, where her reporting has covered major global events including elections, conflicts, and royal occasions, earning her recognition for clear and authoritative delivery.[66] Croxall's career highlights her commitment to broadcast journalism, with notable appearances on programs like BBC Breakfast and international assignments that underscore her versatility in media presentation.[67] Norman Coke-Jephcott (1893–1962) was an influential English composer, organist, and choirmaster educated at Bablake School in his native Coventry. He achieved Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in 1911 and began his career as organist at St. Giles' Church in Exhall, later serving at prominent venues such as Holy Trinity Church in Coventry and Washington National Cathedral in the United States from 1931.[68] Coke-Jephcott's creative contributions include compositions for organ and choir, such as anthems and service music, as well as arrangements like his adaptation of Londonderry Air, which reflected his expertise in blending traditional and classical elements; he also held positions at Ripon College, where he received an honorary doctorate in 1945 for his musical leadership.[69] His work advanced church music performance and education, influencing organists across England and America through teaching and performances.[70] Sir John Egan, born in 1939, attended Bablake School in Coventry after his family relocated there, laying the foundation for his distinguished career in industry and public service. While renowned as an industrialist—having served as CEO of Jaguar Cars (1980–1990), where he spearheaded a turnaround that restored the brand's global reputation, and later as chairman of BAA and Severn Trent—Egan has extended his influence into cultural and arts patronage, particularly in his hometown.[71] As a founding president of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021, he supported initiatives promoting arts, heritage, and community engagement, contributing to events that celebrated Coventry's creative legacy and fostered media collaborations for cultural storytelling.[72] This involvement highlights an overlap between his business acumen and advocacy for the arts, emphasizing sustainable cultural development in the Midlands.[73]Media and Culture
Appearances in Film and Television
Bablake School has served as a filming location for several notable British productions, leveraging its historic architecture to represent educational settings. The 2009 Christmas comedy film Nativity!, directed by Debbie Isitt and starring Martin Freeman, utilized the school's main buildings on Coundon Road as key locations for scenes depicting a primary school nativity play.[74] The school's red-brick structures and courtyards provided an authentic backdrop for the film's chaotic rehearsals and performances, contributing to the movie's portrayal of British school life.[75] This appearance extended to the sequel, Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! (2012), where Bablake's facilities again featured in scenes involving rival school choirs.[74] In 2019, the BBC Two documentary series Back in Time for School, presented by Sara Cox and historian Polly Russell, filmed its first three episodes at Bablake School to recreate historical classroom environments from the Victorian era through the 1960s.[76] The production transformed the school's assembly halls and classrooms into period-accurate settings, with episodes covering education from 1895–1914 (late Victorian and Edwardian), 1918–1945 (interwar and wartime), and 1945–1968 (postwar).[77] Participants, including local teenagers, experienced recreated lessons in the school's historic spaces, highlighting Bablake's suitability for evoking past educational practices. The school has also received minor media coverage for significant events, such as a lightning-induced fire at its sports pavilion in June 2005, which drew local and national attention.[35] Firefighters from across the West Midlands responded to the blaze on Hollyfast Road, which damaged the facility but caused no injuries, with reports emphasizing the dramatic storm conditions.[38] These media appearances have enhanced Bablake School's visibility, positioning it as a cultural landmark in Coventry and associating it with festive and educational narratives that appeal to national audiences. The Nativity! franchise, in particular, helped elevate the city's profile during the Christmas season, while Back in Time for School spotlighted the region's educational heritage, fostering positive public perceptions of the institution's enduring legacy.[75][76]References
- https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/england/west-midlands/[coventry](/page/Coventry)/bablake-junior-school/
- https://www.schoolsmith.co.uk/school/bablake-junior-school-pre-prep-[coventry](/page/Coventry)-cv1/