Aston Commercial Holte Grammar School Birmingham Archives

School Resources Held in The Birmingham City Archives


In July 2003 I composed and sent an Email to the Birmingham City Archives enquiring as to whether they held resources relating to Aston Commercial School and Holte Grammar Commercial School. I received prompt replies from both the Archivist:  David Bishop and the Archives Assistant: Alison Smith. On this page are the unedited replies from both people. The email addresses of David Bishop and Alison Smith, should you wish to conatct them, are David_Bishop@birmingham.gov.uk  and  Alison_V_Smith@birmingham.gov.uk

Dennis

 
 
Dear Mr. Moody,

Thank you for your email of the 18 July regarding the above. According to the Victoria County History of Warwickshire, Volume 7: Birmingham,Aston Commercial School was opened in 1915 as a mixed school, replacing the Aston Higher Elementary Schools. Admission was by examination at 13 or 14 years of age to candidates who had completed the relevant examinations. Two year courses prepared the pupils for entry into commercial occupations, with the curriculum including subjects such as book-keeping, English, French, geography, history, shorthand and typing, drawing and handicraft and domestic science. 25% of admissions were free; the rest were fee-paying, at 15 shillings per term. The
name of the school changed in 1960, to Holte Grammar/Commercial School. 
The only records we have relating to Aston Commercial School are two log books, the first for the Handicraft Centre covering the years 1931 to 1936, and the second for the Science Centre covering the period 1928-1937 (our ref. S100). These contain information on the day-to-day running of these parts of the school, and include information on teachers, lessons, occasional references to pupils, and other details on significant events in the school calendar. The Archive also holds a copy of the sheet music and lyrics for the school song (our ref. MS 2058). 
If you are interested in the above items, please let us know. We may be able to provide copies of the sheet music and song lyrics; unfortunately, the log books are too fragile for us to photocopy. You are welcome to visit the Archive in person and view these items; however, please note that due to recent Data Protection legislation, you will need written authority from the City Council's Education Department before doing so. If you would like to visit the Archive, please let us know and we will advise you of the necessary procedure. 

David Bishop
Archivist
 

 
 
Dear Mr Moody
Thank you for your email enquiry regarding Aston Commercial School and subsequent Holte Grammar School.  In terms of formal material deposited for these schools I am afraid there is very little - 2 log books from the 1930s relating to the Handicraft and Science Centres.  Under data protection legislation such records are closed for 100 years but requests for access can be made to a Data Controller in the Education Services - we can provide further details if these are required (we will also need a postal address). 
 An entry from our catalogue includes the following: 'Aston Commericial School was opened in 1915 as a mixed school to replace Aston Higher Elementary Schools.  Admission at that time was by xamination at 13 or 14 years of age to candidates who had completed standard VII or passed equivalent examination.  Two year courses prepared pupils for entry into commercial occupation.  25% of admissions were free: the rest were fee-paying (15s per term).  The curriculum included ook-keeping, English,  French, geography, history, shorthand and typing, drawing and handicraft and domestic science.  The name of the school changed in 1960' I would think the main part of this commentary probably refers to the Aston Commercial School rather than the later Holte Grammar School. 
We also hold an item deposited in 1996  [MS 2058]  but the printed music and lyrics are undated.  It is described as the 'School Song, Aston Commercial School'.  Apparently the words were by E C Keey and music by H S Hutchinson, headmaster.  It is described as an optimistic song, starting:
'Come let us sing in ringing choir, the praise of the ACS
Which for the life that has before us, prepares the path-way to success'. 
Further information may be available in the Local Studies and History department and I will forward your enquiry to them.  I am sure they will reply directly to you if they find any approrpriate details.

Alison Smith
Archives Assistant
 

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