Whitley, Coventry facts for kids
Whitley is a part of southern Coventry in the West Midlands of England. It is a big home for the British car company Jaguar Land Rover. The name Whitley is thought to mean "from the white meadow."
Contents
Whitley's History and Buildings
For a long time, Whitley was known for a large house built in the 1300s. This house was called "Whitley Abbey." Many people thought it was a monastery, but it was just a grand house.
Over the years, the house changed a lot. In 1924, the whole property was sold. The house then started to fall apart.
In the 1950s, a new school was built on the site. It was called Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School. Later, this school was taken down to build a newer one.
St James' Church
From 1938 to 1951, people in Whitley went to church in a chapel at Whitley Abbey. Before that, they met in different temporary places.
In 1951, a building was made that could be both a church and a community hall. It was on Abbey Road. Then, in 1967, work started on a brand new St James' Church. This new church opened in 1968. The older building then became the church hall.
Whitley Academy: A Modern School
Whitley Academy is a big school in Whitley. It opened on October 13, 2000. This new school replaced the old Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School from the 1950s. The old school was one of the first "comprehensive" schools in Coventry.
In 2007, the school became special in Business and Enterprise. It was then called Whitley Abbey Business and Enterprise College. On July 1, 2011, the school became an "Academy." This meant it had more freedom in how it was run. It was renamed Whitley Academy.
Anne, Princess Royal officially opened the new academy on March 13, 2012. Whitley Academy is part of the RSA group of schools.
Aircraft and History
Whitley was once an important place for making airplanes. The Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft company had its first factory here. In the late 1930s, the factory and its airfield became too small. So, the company moved its operations to Baginton Airfield, which is now Coventry Airport.
The famous Armstrong Whitworth Whitley bomber plane was named after this factory in 1935.
Whitley Common During World War II
During World War II, Whitley Common was used for a very important and dangerous job. It was where unexploded bombs dropped by German planes were safely taken apart. In October 1940, a brave British Army officer named Sandy Campbell died here while trying to make a bomb safe. This happened after the terrible Coventry Blitz, when many bombs fell on the city.
Coventry Zoo
Whitley was also home to Coventry Zoo for many years. The zoo was open from 1966 until 1980. Today, a David Lloyd Leisure complex is on the site where the zoo used to be. This complex was built in 1983.
Images for kids
-
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
-
Whitley Abbey Bridge
