The Birmingham and Edgbaston Proprietary School, Hagley Road, was the property of a company constituted by deed of settlement, dated February 28, 1839.  The cost of the land chosen to build upon and the handsome edifice erected was L10,500, the school being opened in 1841.  In 1874 there was originated a Birmingham Higher Education Society, and in 1876 a scheme was adopted for a High School for Girls in conjunction with the Proprietary School, a company being formed, with a nominal capital of L20,000, for the purchase of the property; but the days of the School’s prosperity seem to have passed away, and in August,1881, it was bought over by the Governors of the Free Grammar School.

Blue Coat School (facing St. Phillip’s Churchyard) founded in 1721, and was erected in 1724, provision having been made in the Act for building St. Philip’s Church for securing the necessary land required for the school for a term of 1,000 years at 10s. per year.  The first cost of the building was about L3,000, but many alterations and extensions have since been made thereto, the quaint little statues in the front being put up in 1770; they are the work of Mr. Edward Grubb, and are said to have been portraits of two of the children then actually in the school.  The first bequest recorded is that of Mrs. Elizabeth White, who in 1722 left nearly 30 acres of land worth about L250 per year for the support of the school.  In 1726 Benjamin Salusbury left 30s. per year for the preaching of a sermon at St. Martin’s and St. Philip’s, and a further 40s. per year as a subscription; as did also Thomas Dunscombe in 1729.  In 1795 the Lord of the Manor presented the school with a slice of Birmingham Heath, above five acres in extent, which is now let on a long lease at L96 10s. per year.  In 1806 other land was devised, and from time to time considerable sums have been invested in like manner and in consols, so that a fair income is derived from these sources, in addition to the voluntary and annual subscriptions, but judging from the past and the admirable way in which the funds have been administered it may be truly said that if the income were doubled or trebled so would be the benefits in like proportion.  At first opening 22 boys and 10 girls were admitted, and 10 others of each sex were taught and clothed; the latter system, however, had many inconveniences, and was soon discontinued.  At present the average number is 150 boys and 100 girls on the original foundation, 20 being paid for out of Fentham’s Trust.

Bourne College is situated at Quinton, and is an institution for the education of the sons of friends belonging to the Primitive Methodist denomination.  The memorial stones were laid June 6, 1881, and the College was opened October 24, 1882, with accommodation for 70 boys.