The Old Grammar School, King's Norton

The Old Grammar School in King’s Norton is another of those places that I knew about, and went to find, but never saw it (much like Ironbridge, but that’s a different story). I decided to go back and hunt it down, and have a proper look at it, instead of just reading about it.

What I found, tucked away behind Saint Nicolas Church in a corner of the graveyard, is a beautiful little building, two storeys high, brick built with stone detail around the doors and windows on the ground floor, and timber framework for the upstairs. According to this page on the University of Birmingham website, the brick part may have been underbuilt as it was tailored to fit the upstairs. It looks no bigger than a modern detached house, and it’s quite hard to imagine that this was once a school!

This delightful little building is part of Saint Nicolas Place on King’s Norton Green, and as a collective, this forms the “largest complex of medieval buildings in Birmingham”. The Saracen’s Head and the Old Grammar School date from the 15th century.

There is a notice board in front of the Grammar School, which doesn’t give much information but is better than nothing. I have of course over looked that this area won the BBC Restoration prize back in 2004.

The plaque above the door says, “Thomas Hall B.D. Schoolmaster, Preacher, Bibliophile taught here from 1629 to 1662. Birmingham Civic Society”.

I will write posts about the Saracen’s Head and King’s Norton Green separately and then add the links here.

This area is accessible to all. There are bins, and the Saracen's Head has a café and toilets. Parking is limited around the Green - but it is easily accessible by bus. More information can be read here. All pics were taken by me on June 9th 2012.

L x