Chance Technical College, Smethwick. Jan '13

Perjury Saint · Jan 31, 2013

CHANCE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

SMETHWICK BIRMINGHAM

The Chance family started evening classes in science and art at their glassworks in Spon Lane in 1846 and in 1852 formed an education institute there which existed for almost twenty years. Other classes followed and in 1885 the borough council formed a school board to run them. Most classes were run at the higher grade school in Crocketts Lane. In 1910 a permanent Smethwick Technical School was opened next door. It served as a Junior Technical School for school-age pupils during the day and an adult further education school in the evenings. In 1927 it was renamed Smethwick Municipal College and in 1945 it became Chance Technical College. The junior technical school moved into its own building and was renamed James Watt Technical School.

I cant seem to find when it closed.

These pix were taken over 2 separate visits.

Splored with me besty NK on the first visit, where we were scuppered by a nosey 'Joe Bloggs' AND secca doing his rounds!

Still got a good couple of hours in though, was fun sneaking across the 'walkway' above secca sat in his car scoffing his sarnies without being spotted...

Second visit saw me sploring solo, bumped into 'The Leeds LOL Society' while in there (good to meet ya lads!) who unfortunately ended up being escorted off site by the local constabulary! Oops! No LOLs there.

Fortunately for me though I managed to sneak away and, apart from a couple of homeless guys and the secca, I had the gaff to myself for the afternoon.

Sorry for the amount of pix, lots to see!!

Reception...