History

picture of Fircroft College building

A safe haven for learning

Fircroft is a unique place to learn, being one of only two adult residential colleges in England, situated in Selly Oak, Birmingham, close to the city centre and easily accessible by train, bus, bicycle and car.

The college was developed from 1909 by George Cadbury Jnr. for his workers, encouraging them to increase their knowledge and skills to help them to meet their potential and pass their learning on to their colleagues.  After his death in 1954, George’s family home and 6 acres of gardens in Selly Oak were transformed into a place of learning and became Fircroft College.  

“We are anxious that it shall be understood that the object of students at the new settlement shall be to return to their work and dignify it, and to help their comrades, not to rise to a superior class, but to raise their class”

George Cadbury Jnr.

The principles of social justice run through everything we do, as part of the legacy of George Cadbury Jnr.’s family.  We are inclusive and value diversity in all its forms, having been awarded College of Sanctuary status in February 2021.  

We are an inclusive college with a strong ethos of social justice, a legacy from the Cadbury family. As a charity, we feel it is our purpose to help those who need it, through education, and our values and inclusive societal themes that we work with demonstrate our passion to provide learning to become a better world.