Norton Approved School
Norton School was never run by Birmingham City Council. However, as it began life in Birmingham and later was run by Warwickshire Social Services, there has been some confusion over its status and it ...
Norton Reformatory admission register
Reproduction of Joseph Pagett, aged 14, a young offender from the admission register of Norton Reformatory.
Identification photographs such as this were made for the authorities to be able to identify ...
Norton Reformatory Punishment Book
On March 14 1886 four boys were caned for planning to run away. One of them had been previously caned for bullying. Of all of the institutions which children came into contact with the reformatories generally ...
Notice sent to the parents of children who were to be evacuated from St. Clement’s Junior and Infants School Nechells
Children from St. Clement’s School, Nechells, were evacuated to Church Gresley, near Swadlingcote, Derbyshire on 1 September 1939. After the bombing of Birmingham in summer 1940 a second group of children ...
Nursemaid with her three charges in the Triangle, Sycamore Road, Bournville
Many upper middle class and wealthier families had nurses or governesses to take care of the children. Children often grew very attached to these women and sometimes had a closer relationship with them ...
Oakhill House, Meadow Road, Edgbaston
Oakhill House, next to the Woodbourne Priory Hospital, opened as a reception centre in 1968. It was officially opened by HRH Princess Alexandra on Monday 6th May 1968.
By this time, Birmingham City ...
Oaklands Residential Nursery, Worcester Road, Droitwich
From 1921, Oaklands was originally used as a working girls’ hostel. It changed function in 1924, becoming a convalescent home.
During the Second World War, there was a great need for nurseries to ...
Of the Duties of Children Towards their Parents
This 17th century manuscript is about family relationships and the responsibilities of parents and their children towards each other. The document clearly shows that childhood was seen as a distinct and ...
Offences Committed in the Parks
During the 1920s and 1930s the Administration Sub-Committee of the Parks Committee submitted regular reports listing the offences for which people were prosecuted. Most of the offences were minor. They ...
Oral History Recording of Frank Jones
In this 'City Childhoods' oral history recording, Frank Jones talks about his memories of using Calthorpe and Cannon Hill parks.
During the 1920s, Calthorpe Park and Cannon Hill Park were popular play ...
Oral Testimony of Annie Florence Hackett
There are very few early twentieth century oral testimonies or first hand accounts giving details of the experiences of Bournville Works' employees. Annie Florence Hackett’s account is typical of those ...
Organised Games
This report was compiled by the organisers of schemes that ran in a number of Birmingham parks and recreation grounds during the summer of 1911. It was managed by Norman Chamberlain, chairman of the Parks ...
Packington Avenue Children's Home, Shard End
Packington Avenue was a purpose-built home designed as a ‘family group home’ on the newly-built Shard End Estate.
The home was part of a programme of new children’s homes, each built on newly developing ...
Page from the album of photographs for the Bournville Village Trust, showing scenes of urban childhood by Bill Brandt
Most working class homes were so small and overcrowded that there was little space to play indoors. Parents encouraged their children to play outside in the street. The street became a place for running, ...
Pat's Journey to Birmingham
Family and traditional Irish life:-
Pat has 7 siblings- 5 boys and 2 girls
all Limerick born.
Pat's family had a happy, humble upbringing -lots of hand me down clothes- often went to school in ...
Pearson’s Fresh Air Fund Day at Manor Farm Park
A number of ‘Fresh Air’ funds were set up in both Britain and North America during the late nineteenth century, to provide days out or sometimes summer holidays, in the countryside, to children from low ...
Pearson’s Fresh Air Fund Day at Manor Farm Park
One of a series of photographs documenting days out at Manor Farm Park for children from city centre schools, run by Pearson's Fresh Air Fund with the assistance of Elizabeth Cadbury who offered the use ...
Perry Barr Children's Home
In the early 1970s, six purpose built children’s homes were built each of which could house 18 children. This home in Perry Barr was one of these, opening in 1973.
When the home was being built in ...