Background

On 8th August 2004, at Hampton Court Palace the nervous finalists waited to see which had won that year's BBC Restoration, a series which could guarantee immediate fame, the winnings raised from thousands of viewers' votes and a stage one Heritage Lottery Fund pass. In short, the series could bring them one step closer to their goal. On that night when Kings Norton triumphantly won the series many viewers confidently assumed that was the end of the hard work. It wasn't, it was merely the beginning of the journey. Now, with the work commencing on-site, the Old Grammar School and Saracen's Head are in the next exciting phase of a five hundred year history, which is now assured of continuing.

Alongside the 12th century parish church at the heart of Kings Norton stand a prestigious grammar school with one of the oldest histories in the Midlands and a 15th-century timber-framed house, both of large historical and architectural significance. Owned by Kings Norton Parish Church, they are now undergoing a long-awaited and radical restoration that will see them restored at the heart of local life. Dedicated support for their Restoration comes from all sections of our very diverse local communities.

The Old Grammar School is a striking, timber-framed structure that has fallen into decay. It finds itself on English Heritage's "at risk" register. However, the school's legacy to the country is a large and impressive library, now housed in Birmingham Central Library, and a proud reputation of sending scholars to Oxford University. After at least two centuries' service as a school, the building fell into a cycle of neglect and repair, falling most recently into disuse in 1951.

The medieval wool merchant's house, known locally as the Saracen's Head, was possibly the largest house belonging to the royal manor in the 15th century. The house boasts highly decorative medieval workmanship, sophisticated building techniques and possibly housed the wife of Charles I, Queen Henrietta Maria in July 1643.

Both the Old Grammar School and the Saracen's Head are owned by King's Norton Parish Church, which has long worked to restore the buildings adequately. After winning the BBC Restoration competition in 2004, two intensive years of design, planning and approval have enabled building work to start. The buildings were closed in July 2006 and re-opened to the public in June 2008.