Fircroft College

Fircroft College is a specialist adult residential college based in Selly Oak, Birmingham.

The college was originally founded by George Cadbury in 1909 and offers over 150 short residential courses throughout the year, most of which last three days. Fircroft was founded with a strong ethos of social justice which continues to this day, with many learners come to Fircroft with no or few prior qualifications. The short course programme covers subject areas such as English, Maths, ICT, Gardening, Personal and Social Development, Counselling and Mentoring. These courses are aimed at helping adults improve their skills and confidence and work towards reaching their own personal or work goals. The College also runs a number of professional short courses and qualifications aimed at adults working or involved in the voluntary and community sectors. As well as the short course programme, there is a 30-week Access to Higher Education programme for adults wishing to progress to university - this course has non-residential as well as residential places available.

Fircroft College is located in a former Cadbury family home set in 6 acres (24,000 m²) of gardens and woodland. An adjoining teaching centre housing a new library, conference rooms, IT facilities and teaching rooms was opened in 2005. The College uses these facilities to host a number of conferences, training events, meetings, away days and team building sessions during the course of the year.

Fircroft was rated as an ‘outstanding’ College by Ofsted in its last inspection and has also been awarded Beacon Status in recognition of its academic excellence.

It was federated with eight other nearby colleges, known collectively as Selly Oak Colleges.

Notable alumni

Oliver O'Connor Barrett, artist
Dunduzu Chisiza, political activist
Doris Fisher, Baroness Fisher of Rednal, politician
Edward Fletcher, Politician
Arvid Johanson, newspaper editor and politician
Didymus Mutasa, Zimbabwean politician

External links

Fircroft College homepage

Universities and colleges in the West Midlands

Universities	Aston Birmingham Birmingham City BPP Coventry Harper Adams Keele Law Newman Staffordshire UCB Warwick Wolverhampton Worcester

Further Education colleges	Birmingham Metropolitan Bournville Burton Buxton & Leek City College, Coventry Dudley Fircroft Halesowen Heart of Worcestershire Henley Hereford College of Arts Herefordshire College of Technology Hereward Kidderminster Newcastle-under-Lyme North Warwickshire and Hinckley Queen Alexandra Royal National College for the Blind Sandwell Shrewsbury Solihull South & City Birmingham South Staffordshire South Worcestershire Stafford Stoke-on-Trent Stourbridge Stratford-upon-Avon Telford Walford and North Shropshire Walsall Warwickshire Wolverhampton

Sixth form colleges	Cadbury Hereford Joseph Chamberlain King Edward VI College, Nuneaton King Edward VI College, Stourbridge Ludlow Moorlands New College, Telford Shrewsbury Solihull Stoke-on-Trent Worcester

Schools in Birmingham

Primary schools	Al-Hijrah School Harborne Primary School King David School Ladypool Primary School Robin Hood Academy St Nicholas RC Primary School Starbank School Waverley School

Secondary schools	Al-Hijrah School Archbishop Ilsley RC Technology College Ark Boulton Academy Ark Kings Academy Ark St Alban's Academy The Arthur Terry School Aston Manor Academy Aston University Engineering Academy Balaam Wood School Bartley Green School The Baverstock Academy Birmingham Ormiston Academy Bishop Challoner RC College Bishop Walsh RC School Bordesley Green Girls' School Bournville School Broadway Academy Cardinal Wiseman RC Technology College Cockshut Hill Technology College Colmers School Dame Elizabeth Cadbury Technology College Fairfax School Four Dwellings Academy George Dixon Academy Great Barr School Greenwood Academy Hall Green School Hamstead Hall Academy Handsworth Wood Girls' Academy Harborne Academy Heartlands Academy Hillcrest School Hodge Hill College Hodge Hill Girls' School Holte School Holy Trinity RC School Holyhead School The International School John Willmott School King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy Kings Heath Boys King's Norton Boy's School Kings Norton Girls School Kingsbury School Lordswood Boys' School Lordswood Girls' School Moseley School Ninestiles School North Birmingham Academy Perry Beeches The Academy Plantsbrook School Queensbridge School Rockwood Academy Shenley Academy Small Heath School St Edmund Campion RC School St John Wall RC School St Paul's School for Girls St Thomas Aquinas RC School Saltley Academy Selly Park Technology College Starbank School Stockland Green School Swanshurst School Turves Green Boys' School Turves Green Girls' School University of Birmingham School Washwood Heath Academy Waverley School Wheelers Lane Technology College Yardleys School

Grammar schools	Bishop Vesey's Grammar School Handsworth Grammar School King Edward VI Aston School King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls King Edward VI Five Ways King Edward VI Handsworth Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls

Special schools	Hallmoor School

Independent schools	Birmingham Blue Coat School Darul Uloom Edgbaston High School Elmhurst School for Dance Highclare School Kimichi School King Edward's School King Edward VI High School for Girls Mander Portman Woodward St George's School

FE & sixth form colleges	Birmingham Metropolitan College Bournville College Cadbury Sixth Form College Fircroft College Queen Alexandra College South & City College Birmingham

Defunct schools	BISPA Icknield Street School Oozells Street Board School St Philip's School St Peter's College

Coordinates: 52°26′00″N 1°56′42″W / 52.4332°N 1.9451°W / 52.4332; -1.9451

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