John Cadbury's Reforms

The Cadbury family has played an active and important role in the public life of Birmingham for generations. National social reform was a concern for John Cadbury when he led the campaign to outlaw the use of climbing boys to sweep chimneys, and when he set up the 'Animals Friend Society', one of the forerunners of the RSPCA.

Educational equality was a guiding principle of the Society of Friends. The Adult School Movement made a tremendous contribution to transforming the lives of the working population through Sunday morning classes.

Members of the Cadbury family, in particular George Cadbury and his son George Cadbury Junior, were actively involved in this movement, both as teachers on a Sunday and in the opening of their former homes in Bournville and its environs as colleges. Known as the Selly Oak Colleges, they are still active today.

Provision of schools and other educational resources was of prime concern in the development of the Bournville community.