List of Birmingham board schools facts for kids
Imagine a time when not all kids went to school! In the past, many schools were run by churches or private groups. But in 1870, a new law called the Elementary Education Act changed everything. This law said that everyone should have a chance to go to school.
To make this happen, special groups called school boards were created. These boards were in charge of building and running new schools, which became known as board schools. Birmingham, a big city in England, built many of these schools. Most of them were designed by a famous architecture firm called Martin & Chamberlain.
These board schools were built between 1870 and 1902. After 1902, a new law changed how schools were managed, and local councils took over from the school boards. Many of these old board schools are still standing today, some still used as schools, and others have found new purposes!
Contents
- Famous Birmingham Board Schools
- Icknield Street School
- Stratford Road Primary School
- Harborne School
- Oozells Street Board School
- Floodgate School
- Waverley Road School
- Somerville Road School
- Tilton Girls School
- Dixon Road County Primary School
- Garrison Lane School
- Dudley Road School
- Barford Road School
- Eliot Street School (formerly Hutton Street)
- The Broadway Comprehensive School, Aston
- Dennis Road School
- Cromwell Street School
- Other Important Board Schools
- Schools Acquired in 1891
- Other Schools from the Board School Era
- See also
Famous Birmingham Board Schools
Many of Birmingham's board schools were designed by the well-known architects Martin & Chamberlain (M&C). These buildings often have a special look, with tall towers and detailed brickwork.
Icknield Street School
This school was built in 1883 by Martin & Chamberlain. It's located near the Hockley Flyover, which is north of the Jewellery Quarter. Today, it's a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's very important historically and architecturally.
Stratford Road Primary School
Built in 1885, this was one of the first schools designed by Martin & Chamberlain after one of the partners, John Henry Chamberlain, passed away. It's now called Ladypool Junior & Infant School in Sparkbrook. Sadly, a powerful tornado in 2005 damaged the school, and it lost its unique tower. This school is also a Grade II* listed building.
Harborne School
This school, built in 1885, is now known as the Clock Tower Community Education Centre. It was originally built by the Harborne School Board before Harborne became part of Birmingham. It's a Grade II listed building.
Oozells Street Board School
Built in 1878 by Martin & Chamberlain, this building has had many lives! It was once a furniture store for the education department and later part of a college. Today, it's home to the Ikon Gallery, a modern art gallery. It's a Grade II listed building.
Floodgate School
Located in Deritend, this school was built in 1890. It's now part of South and City College Birmingham Arts and Media Campus. This building is a Grade II* listed building.
Waverley Road School
Built between 1880 and 1885 (or 1892) by Martin & Chamberlain, this school has had several names, including Small Heath County Grammar School. It's now known as Waverley Road. It's a Grade II* listed building.
Somerville Road School
This school in Small Heath was built by Martin & Chamberlain between 1892 and 1894. It's still known as Somerville School today and has been modernised.
Tilton Girls School
Built in 1890, this former girls' school is now the Darul Barakaat Mosque and Community Centre. It's a Grade II listed building.
Dixon Road County Primary School
This school, built between 1880 and 1890, is located in Small Heath and also faces Cooksey Road. It has been used for various purposes over the years and is now the Shah Poran Islamic Jami Mosque And Community Trust. It's a Grade II listed building.
Garrison Lane School
Built around 1885 by Martin & Chamberlain, this school in Bordesley is now known as the Garrison Centre. It's a Grade II listed building.
Dudley Road School
This school was built in 1878 by Martin & Chamberlain. It's now called the Summerfield Centre and was formerly Summerfield Junior and Infants School. It's a Grade II* listed building.
Barford Road School
Built in 1887 by Martin & Chamberlain, this building is still used as Barford Road Primary School in Winson Green.
Eliot Street School (formerly Hutton Street)
Opened in 1879 for over 1000 students, this school was originally called Hutton Street. It's now Nechells Junior and Infant School on Eliot Street. It's a locally listed building.
The Broadway Comprehensive School, Aston
Built in 1900 by Crouch & Butler, this school is located on Whitehead Road in Aston. It's a Grade II listed building.
Dennis Road School
Originally called Dennis Road School in Balsall Heath, this building was constructed in 1896 by Martin & Chamberlain. It's now known as Anderton Park School and is a Grade II listed building.
Cromwell Street School
Opened in 1889 by J. A. Cossins for over 1000 students, this school is now Cromwell Street Junior School in Nechells. It's a Grade II listed building.
Other Important Board Schools
- Allcock St School: Built between 1875 and 1880 by Martin & Chamberlain. It was demolished but is now the site of The Bridge Centre and Community Industry. It was a Grade II listed building.
- Bristol Street Board School: This school was demolished in the 1960s to make way for road widening. It was located at the junction of Irving Street and Bristol Street.
- Bloomsbury: The very first state school built in Birmingham stood on this site from 1873 to 1968.
Schools Acquired in 1891
When Birmingham grew bigger in 1891, it took over some areas and their schools, which had been built by other school boards.
Clifton Road School
This school in Balsall Heath was built in 1878 by the Kings Norton School Board. Today, it's used by St Paul's Trust.
Tindal Street School
Also in Balsall Heath, this school was built in 1880 by the Kings Norton School Board.
- Kings Norton Village Board School: Built in 1878 by the Kings Norton School Board.
- Mary Street School, Balsall Heath: Built in 1878 by the Kings Norton School Board, but it has since been demolished.
- Stirchley Street School: Built in 1879 by the Kings Norton School Board.
Other Schools from the Board School Era
Not all schools built during this time were "board schools." Some were private or run by other groups.
Camp Hill Circus School
This building was originally the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, so it wasn't run by the School Board. It was built in 1883 by Martin & Chamberlain. A fire damaged its tower and roof in 1901. Today, it's known as the Bordesley Centre. It's a Grade II listed building.
See also
- Birmingham board schools – more history about these schools
- List of former board schools in Brighton and Hove
- London School Board
