The House System

The Bablake House system offers a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom, covering a variety of interests and talents of all our pupils. Whether it is sport, music, art, cookery, quizzes or other creative and team-based activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy and take part in.

Within the House system, pupils understand the significance of team involvement, learning invaluable lessons in reliability and the importance of striving for their best.

Pupils are assigned to one of four Houses when they join Bablake, a membership they maintain throughout their Bablake journey.

Our Houses

Bayley

Crow

Fairfax

Wheatley

The History of Our Houses

Bablake’s four Houses are named after benefactors and each consists of around 150 pupils.

Bayley

Katherine Bayley’s charity school was established in her memory through her will in 1723. Located on what is now known as Bayley Lane near the cathedral, it was popularly known as the Blue Gift School due to the blue facings on the drab coats worn by the scholars, who were irreverently nicknamed ‘Blue Bottles.’ Initially, the school comprised just eight girls and eight boys, but over time, girls were excluded and the number of boys significantly increased. In 1888, the Blue Gift School merged with the Green Gift School and Bablake School.

Crow

In 1714, Thomas Crow donated funds to support apprenticeships for boys aged thirteen to sixteen.

His generosity was honoured in 1922 when the original Houses were named after him, ensuring that his legacy endures more than 300 years later.

Fairfax

Fairfax Charity School was founded by Samuel Fairfax in Spon Street in 1751. By 1767 the school had 12 boys and 12 girls and schoolmaster John Pearson made the children’s shoes while teaching them. The ‘Green Linnets’ wore the quaintest uniform of all – green cloth waistcoats with brass buttons, green stockings, and a knitted cap. Fairfax continues to flourish all these years later.

Wheatley

In 1563, Thomas Wheatley became the school’s greatest benefactor, providing one of the largest donations in its history. Arriving in Coventry as a pauper, Wheatley rose to become Mayor. He made his fortune as an ironmonger, and the money he donated to the school came from an unexpected windfall. He had ordered wedges of Toledo steel from Spain, but when the boxes arrived, they were filled with silver and cochineal instead. Wheatley attempted to locate the rightful owners but was unsuccessful. Consequently, he generously donated a substantial portion of the treasure to Bablake School.