| AdminHistory | In September 1916, the Elementary Education Sub-Committee appointed a Junior Day Technical School Sub-Committee to enquire into the feasibility of founding a Junior Day Technical School in Birmingham. On the strength of their findings in April 1917 the Elementary Education Sub-Committee recommended to the Education Committee the establishment of a Junior Day Technical School for approximately 200 pupils (admission age of 12½ - 13½ years) for instruction in general engineering. The Elementary Education Sub-Committee felt that they should manage the school as the intended pupils would be of compulsory school age. As there was no common agreement between the Elementary Education Sub-Committee (see BCC/1/BH/2/1) and the Technical Education and Evening Schools Sub-Committee (see BCC/1/BH/4/1) over the management of such schools the Education Committee established a separate and independent standing sub-committee comprising three members of the Elementary Education Sub-Committee, three members of the Technical Education and Evening Schools Sub-Committee and with the Chairman of the Education Committee as an ex-officio member. The Junior Day Technical School Sub-Committee first met in July 1917.
Proposals for the establishment of a Junior Day Technical School temporarily in the premises of the Handsworth Technical School and School of Art were approved by the Education Committee. This involved structural alterations to the Technical School and the renovation of rooms at Handsworth Council House for the School of Art classes. A site at the junction of Birchfield Road and Haughton Road had been reserved by the Sites and Buildings Sub-Committee as a designated area for the construction of a Junior Day Technical School. The Junior Day Technical School in the temporary premises at Handsworth Technical School and School of Art was opened on the 3 February 1920 and 40 boys were admitted on the results of an examination held in January 1920. Birmingham City Archives holds the records of Handsworth Technical School and School of Art dated 1912 - 1972, catalogue reference S 257.
In November 1920 the Education Committee resolved not to re-appoint the Junior Day Technical School Sub-Committee and matters relating to the Handsworth Junior Day Technical School were referred for a short period to the Elementary Education Sub-Committee. In November 1922 it was decided more appropriate to transfer control of the Handsworth Junior Day Technical School from the Elementary Education Sub-Committee to the Higher Education Sub-Committee (see BCC 1/BH/3/1) as the School provided for the instruction of pupils beyond the age of 14 years. At the same time, control of the Aston Commercial School was transferred from the Elementary Education Sub-Committee to the Higher Education Sub-Committee and new orders of reference were given to the Elementary Education Sub-Committee and to the Higher Education Sub-Committee. For details on the administration of Junior Day Technical and Commercial Schools from 1922 see the minutes of the Higher Education Sub-Committee at BCC/1/BH/3/1/1). |